Sunday 1st July - Canada Day

Canada Day is celebrated on 1st July across the country and marks the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada. (Akin to the U.S. July 4th) This means the year's biggest celebration!
We awoke at 8.0a.m. showered and had the hotel's "Breakfast Sampler" from the menu, we chatted to the waitress and asked where to go for the day in order to check out the celebrations.
We were not disappointed in her recommendation of Prince's Island Park & took a taxi there. A car free day for the first time in days.

Rest needed!

Peace Bridge

 On our arrival there, we passed through security and got chatting to a man who had emigrated to Calgary ten years previously. He "spotted" us by our Northern accents and it transpired that he had lived only 25 miles away!
The park was huge and had 3 performance stages where live music was being played - from heavy rock to gospel and folk. We soaked in the atmosphere and it was good to have a day of relaxation.

Children's Theatre

 The weather was gloriously sunny and a warm 20degC. We wandered over the Peace Bridge which has been built to accommodate the increasing number of people who commute to and from work, or who simply want to enjoy. The information board told us that currently 120,000 people are employed downtown and over 30,000 live in the city centre. Over 60,000 employees are expected downtown by 2025 and the population is expected to double by 2035. I was fascinated to see a piano positioned by another bridge in the park which was there purely for people to enjoy and "have a go". I somehow cannot see this concept happening here. How refreshing.

  
The park was spotlessly clean: workers in golf buggies were continually riding around to empty the numerous re-cycling bins which were staffed by attendants.
Stalls were numerous and diverse: water, food, balloons, trade and craft. The atmosphere was jovial and friendly. We felt privileged to be a part of it all. We ate at the hotel once again and had a long chat with a couple from Widnes, who were staying in Calgary to meet up with friends and visit the Stampede. Sadly, we would not see this renowned event as we would be on our travels the next day to Winnipeg for a week to stay with a cousin.  we were lucky enough to be able to see the fireworks celebrations in downtown Calgary from our hotel room.