Hundreds in downtown London, Ont. to celebrate Canada Day – London | 24CA News
The humidity and danger of rain didn’t maintain Londoners from coming downtown within the afternoon to have fun Canada’s 156th birthday.
Hundreds of individuals decked out in pink and white gathered at Dundas Place and alongside Talbot Street to soak up Canada Day festivities that included reside music, dozens of distributors and reside performances.
The downtown occasions have been organized by the London Heritage Council. Volunteer Mario Circelli says the council had labored for months to create the daylong affair.
“The Heritage Council and Dundas Place have worked tirelessly to make this place look like it does today,” stated Circelli.
Most streetlights lining Dundas Place have been adorned with particular Canada Day banners, and volunteers often handed out small Canada flags to guests.
Dundas Place from Talbot to Ridout Street supplied loads of meals vehicles, distributors, and a stage for performances from native artists reminiscent of Laura Gibson, Forest City London Music All Stars and Enchante.
Enchante performs at Dundas Place on Canada Day. Lead singer Laurraine Sigouin additionally opened the day’s occasions with the singing of O Canada.
Marshall Healey/980 CFPL
“All of the food trucks are local, all of the performers are local,” says Circelli.
At the intersection of Dundas and Talbot, attendees have been handled to avenue performances by the Chinese Freemasons Lion Dance Team – celebrating their 99th anniversary in London – and The Academy Circus of Southwestern Ontario.
The London Chinese Freemasons Lion Dance Team performs at Dundas Place for Canada Day on July 1, 2023.
Marshall Healey/980 CFPL
One of the most well-liked folks alongside Dundas Place Saturday was Greg Sturm, a neighborhood dressed actually from head to toe in pink, white and Canadiana.
“For me, this is my Christmas,” stated Sturm in between the numerous selfies he took with admirers.
Sturm, 54-years-old, says he has been coming to Canada Day occasions in vibrant apparel since he was 19. What began with only a pink hat, shirt, shorts and sneakers with a flag as a cape has grown into each article of clothes – together with rings – both being pink or white or having a maple leaf.
Jaxson Lelacheur, left, takes an image with Greg Sturm alongside Dundas Place on July 1, 2023.
While it takes him round three hours to prepare, Sturm says it’s price each second.
“I meet a lot of people from other countries. They are going to take a picture, go home and show it to all their friends and family,” stated Sturm.
The day’s occasions have been kick-started with speeches from native elected officers London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos, London North Centre MPP Terence Kernaghan and Mayor Josh Morgan. All three audio system touched on Canada’s advanced historical past and the way it cannot be forgotten because the nation strikes ahead.
Fragiskatos particularly talked about the internment of Japanese and the turning away of Jewish refugees within the lead-up to and through World War Two and the remedy of Indigenous Peoples, significantly regarding residential faculties.
“But as we reflect, we also look forward. And there’s a lot to celebrate,” stated Fragiskatos. “How many people sign up to come here every year, people who want to build a life here. This is the land of opportunity.”
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