On Canada Day, 91原创 residents celebrated their pride in being Canadian at a time when the country is under siege by an American president who launched a trade war and keeps saying Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
At McLeod Athletic Park, a Township staffer told the 91原创 Advance Times they were going through their give-away Canadian flags at a fast clip, but they were keeping up with demand.
鈥淲e have thousands."
When the national anthem played, virtually everyone present stood and sang O Canada.
At the Royal Canadian Legion Aldergrove branch, during the ceremonial Canada Day flag raising outside, master of ceremonies Doug Hadley talked about the anniversary and the history of Canada, making a point of calling it "a distinct, independent country, not a 51st state.鈥�
Inside the Legion hall, elbows went up in response to a call by Karen Long, vice-president of the Alder Grove Agricultural Fair and Festival Association, which organized the event with the Legion.
鈥淚 was walking across the floor, there was a bit of a lull [and I said] 'thank you for coming, elbows up,' and everybody kind of put their elbows up," Long said.
Long noticed a rise in patriotic feeling this Canada Day.
"Absolutely, everybody is donning red, they're donning their Canada Day hats and t-shirts and tattoos," said Long. "it's full-on Canada, celebrating our country."
That squares with recent opinion polls showing Canadian pride soaring in response to the trade war and anti-Canadian rhetoric south of the border.
About nine in 10 surveyed are telling pollsters they are proud to be Canadian, even if many have reservations about the current state of the country.
Retired Major Ian Newby filled a section of the Legion parking lot with collector military vehicles that have served Canada or Canada's allies. 鈥淲e brought out every Canadian vehicle we could actually get to start and run,鈥� Newby said.
At Fort 91原创, horticulturist, author and Order of Canada member Brian Minter administered the oath of citizenship to 40 new Canadians.
"Getting to meet our new Canadians and learning from them, talking to them, getting to know them is absolutely one of the great treats in this world because they're excited about being citizens of our wonderful country,鈥� Minter said.
"It's so nice to spend the time with them and give them a hug and shake their hands and welcome to our country. And that to me is very special."
Jeyanne Laquip, a Surrey resident originally from the Philippines, was smiling as she waited for the ceremony to begin.
"I think being a Canadian really makes me feel happy, you're privileged, and at the same time at ease,鈥� Laquip said.
Kim Hill and daughter Lesley arrived from Delta bedecked in Canada-themed head gear and sunglasses to witness the swearing in of 鈥渘ephew-in-law鈥� Jacob Monash, a Port Coquitlam resident who said Canada is 鈥渧ery similar鈥� in many ways to his country of origin, 鈥渂ut now I can vote. That's exciting. I can contribute to the country.鈥�
Lin Zou, promotions manager at the historic Fort, was forecasting an increase from last year鈥檚 Canada Day, from 6,600 to 6,800, possibly even more.
鈥淭oday is a big deal at the fort,鈥� said Zou.
It was also a big deal at the B.C. Farm Museum across the street.
Laurie Griffiths, a member of the museum board of directors, said Canada Day is when they see a substantial surge in visitors.
"This is the biggest day of the year for the B.C. Farm Museum," Griffiths commented.
"We get more visitors through today than any other day of the year."
At McLeod, a busy Kevin Muirhead, Township special events manager, was talking about the improvements to the annual free celebration.
鈥淔ull events, nine live, back-to-back bands, a circus act, 300 drones at 10.15 p.m." Muirhead summarized.
"Every year we try to go bigger and better"
