Was it hot enough for you on Canada Day? MP Tony Clement presented a tongue-in-cheek solution for the heat at the celebration at Muskoka Heritage Place (MHP). “I want to address the elephant in the room: I want to declare that there’s one additional tariff on warm weather from Louisiana that I hereby impose for future situations,” said Clement to laughter from the gathered crowd.
“We are very blessed to live in this country,” he added. “As Muskokans and Parry Sounders we know how our natural surroundings are part of us, they’re part of our heart, they’re part of our soul, and also the people, the great people of our communities… Yes, we have things that we have to fix and improve, ever improving as a country, but we should always realize that we live in the best country on Earth.”
As is tradition, he presented Mayor Scott Aitchison with a made-in-Canada Canadian flag.
“There’s lots to celebrate,” added MPP Norm Miller. “Such opportunity and a great democracy and peace and freedom to do whatever your heart desires and such beautiful geography with clear air and clean water…there’s a lot to be thinking about on our 151st Canada Day.”
Captain George Hunt, Huntsville’s namesake, relayed that in hindsight he made a pretty good choice to settle here. “One hundred and forty-nine years ago I knew that this would be a great place to build a community. What I didn’t know was how bad the black flies were going to be, I didn’t know how much snow and cold we’d get, I didn’t know how many rocks there were, I didn’t know how long it would take to turn trees into buildings and firewood,” he said. “But you know what I did know and what I know now? It was all worth it. Look at this community. That doesn’t just happen on its own. It takes good governance and a dedicated council to keep the plans and progress moving forward. It also takes a village, meaning the people in the village not the Village People.”
The Glenn Reid Duo led the crowd in the singing of O Canada, and then there were strawberry scones with whipped cream for everyone.
In downtown Huntsville, music on the Town Hall steps added to the festive mood brought by Canadian flags on light standards thanks to the Downtown Huntsville BIA, and miniature flags in every planter courtesy of Coldwell Banker Thompson Real Estate Brokerage. For more than 20 years, the brokerage and volunteers have been planting the flags around Huntsville in the early hours of Canada Day.
How did you celebrate Canada’s 151st birthday?
(Clockwise from left) Dylan Welsh and Alessia Ascenzi give Max and Ella Dussault some cool Canada Day tattoos
(From left) Noreen Mitchell, Steve Campbell, Justin Webber, Lauren Dickson, and Colleen Webber keep cool
Tina (left) and Will Gepkins show off their red and white pride
(From left) James, Gladys and Robert Dekker made the trip to Huntsville from Englehart ON. Gladys and Robert are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary.
This was young Henry Fiorini’s first Canada Day. He’s celebrating with (left) Jenna Fiorini and Fran Coleman.
Janice Berkenmeier hands out flags to help people celebrate
Audlee Tredgett in his Canada Day hat
The Glenn Reid Duo and Captain George Hunt lead ‘O Canada’
Councillor Bob Stone and Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano hand out strawberry scones
Mayor Scott Aitchison with some of his nieces and nephews (from left) Lillian Koop, Ella Bloom, Megan Koop, Simon Koop and Amy Koop
Liz Saburov (centre) tries her hand at candlemaking
Sophie and Kelly Marwick in their Canada Day finest
Mini Canadian flags courtesy of Coldwell Banker Thompson
The Fernglen Fiddleheads on the steps of Town Hall
Downtown BIA Silver Ambassadors Peter (left) and Irene Redwood help answer questions for Canada Day visitors
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.
Marvelous Cameron of Lochiel Drums and Pipes entertained at The Legion , Algonquin Theatre Courtyard and River Mill Park…..Too bad there are NO Pics ! 15 sweaty musicians at their finest .