MUSKOKA — Canada Day was a see of red north, south, east and west in Muskoka.
Residents woke up to flags dug in at their driveways. And got a taste of back bacon for breakfast at Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville where their July 1 festivities began.
With 40 million Canadians proudly announced in Ottawa, thousands district-wide took in a day in which they proudly and happily celebrated our “home and native lands.”
While the Muskoka Concert Band played on in Huntsville and Bracebridge young and old enjoyed smoke-free activities and entertainment in parks and main streets.
Food and drink were just part of the fun as several towns enjoyed displays to go along with the festivities, including more music at Memorial Park in Bracebridge put on by the Rotary Club and where part of Manitoba Street was cordoned off at the lower end by the Muskoka Falls to provide more sights and sounds.
Gravenhurst’s Gull Lake Rotary Park drew a large crowd, who milled exhibits beneath the shady pine boughs and ate free hot dogs.
Bethune House was just one of the stops where everywhere you went you could enjoy red and white cup cakes.
A great way to share the joys of being Canadian.
Captain Hunt welcome hundreds of people to Muskoka Heritage Park for breakfast of back bacon and an early start to a great Canada Day in Muskoka.MPP Graydon Smith, centre, with MP Scott Aitchison were among those waving flags and making the rounds and celebrating Canada Day across Muskoka.Muskoka Concert Band members take a break from playing for the official opening, before resuming their 90-minute performance that began with O Canada accompanied by a chorus of hundreds proudly singing along.Marlene Schell and Shirley Branch enjoy a strawberries and ice cream break to beat the heat.Outta school, these kids took a pass on the old school house at Muskoka Hertigage Place, which was open for free and included the season’s first run of the Portage Flyer train.Local crafts and a native tee-pee were among the many exhibits crowds took in.“Look where I am” – a digital postcard from Huntsville on Canada Day.Muskoka Heritage Place manager Rob Hubick was busy welcoming vistors all day ushering them into the theme parak.After a busy morning at the park it was time foa “nap” for this portable family, said Mom.“Look way up …” and we’ll call the Gravenhurst Fire Department at Gull Lake Rotary Park ….…. That’s where firefighters let kids carry a hose and prractise putting out a house fire with help.Gull Lake Rotary Park was teeming with hundreds of young and old Canadians eating, drinking and enjoying the day.Gravenhurst’s park was full displays and activities to enjoy Canada’s day – including for those with green thumbs or who wannabe gardeners.Of course, what’s our party without delicious “low-cal” cupcakes. “It’s a party, after all.”Never enough Canada cupcakes, like these ones on hand at Bethune House. Parks Canada interpreters Jun Zhang and Linda Wong offer them to Jeff Bostick and Susan Xu and Doris Dillon.Alex Hogg was among those who stuck around at Memorial Park after the farmers’ market to enjoy musical performances by the Muskoka Cocnert Band, Allison Boyer and Neil Hutchison.The Muskoka Concert Band had a busy day playing O Canada twice, starting in Huntsville and ending up in Bracebridge.Canadians were pumped for Canada Day as Muskoka was a must see of red evverywhere you looked.
