Fredericton is the provincial capital of New Brunswick. Located on the banks of the St John River, with a historic district full of wonderful old buildings surrounding a central park, it was where Charlotte and I found ourselves on the eve of Canada Day.
As we drove in, preparations were in full swing in the park for the next day’s activities, including sound checks for the stage and dress rehearsals for what I assume were re-enactment style soldiers.
The weather gods are clearly Canadian, as the national day dawned bright, sunny and full of that idyllic summer feeling.
With Charlotte safely ensconced in a shady spot nearby, I headed into a town drowning in red and white to partake of the celebrations. It was Canada’s 149th birthday, which makes her younger than Australia, which I was a little surprised at to be honest.
To join in the festive mood, I grudgingly tried a couple of Canadian beers whilst sitting in bright sunshine at the Lighthouse on the green, chatting with a lovely group of travelling Canadians. Although dressed in red and white, I did notice that 3 of the group were in fact wearing Austrian ski tour tops, which allowed me to cheekily question their patriotism, which they took in the good humour it was intended.
Eventually it was time to head down to the park, where everyone was gathering to eat, drink and wait for the concert to start. There was a real village green feel to the celebrations – picnic blankets and fold-up chairs abounded, everyone seemed to know everyone else, and there was a gentleness and family aspect to people’s behaviour, which can so often be missing in larger places.
Unfortunately my dalliance at the lighthouse made me miss the opening ceremonies, where I hope the previous days dress rehearsals had sharpened performances.
I still managed to find a fairly decent spot to sit, and over the afternoon and evening I, along with the rest of the crowd, was brilliantly entertained by a collection of local and nationally renowned musical acts.
It was a a thoroughly brilliant day, sitting in the sun, sipping a beer, dining on some local food and discovering new music in the midst of some old favourites such as Take me to Church
The day was beautifully topped off by fireworks on the river bank once the sun had finally set. It was a surprisingly long display – nearly 20 minutes worth, and with the lower height of the explosions, there was an intimacy and immediacy that I have not experienced before, despite the huge number of national and holiday celebrations I’ve seen.
As the crowds started to disperse and I slowly made my way back to a waiting Charlotte, I reflected that I’d found myself in the perfect place for Canada Day.
I wouldn’t have swapped being here for the bigger and brighter lights of Canada’s major cities where the celebrations may have been more expansive, but could not have been any more delightful.
