Photo Gallery – Video – Hundreds Celebrate Canada Day in Cobourg Despite Sweltering Heat
Hot temperatures didn’t stop residents and visitors from celebrating Canada’s 159th birthday in Cobourg on Tuesday.
With temperatures climbing above 32 degrees Celsius, participants and spectators lined the streets from the Cobourg Public Library to Victoria Park for the annual Canada Day parade, where smiles outnumbered complaints about the heat.
Before the parade began, the bells of St. Peter’s Anglican Church rang out with traditional Canadian melodies, including O Canada, setting a patriotic tone for the day’s festivities.
At Victoria Park’s bandshell, the Concert Band of Cobourg officially opened the celebrations by performing O Canada before Town Crier Mandy Robinson welcomed the crowd in traditional fashion.
“Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
“My Lords, My Ladies, good citizens of Cobourg and most welcome visitors from far and wide.
“Welcome to celebrating our nation’s birthday with all of us here today.
“Let it be known that upon this first day of July, in the year of our Lord, Canada celebrates its one hundred and fifty-ninth year since Confederation that united our great and magnificent country.
“One and all, we are grateful for and enjoy many blessings and privileges in Canada where true freedom reigns in our beloved homeland.
“May we all be cognizant of the fact, as I deem it to be, that we live in the best country in the world.
“Let it also be known that His Worship the Mayor, Council, Town staff and dignitaries alike welcome and invite you all to enjoy the festivities, concluding at 10 p.m. with a magnificent fireworks display in the harbour.
“Happy one hundred and fifty-ninth birthday, Canada, and long live His Majesty the King.”
Following the Town Crier’s proclamation, local dignitaries addressed the crowd.
Northumberland—Peterborough South MP Philip Lawrence welcomed everyone to Cobourg and encouraged residents and visitors alike to enjoy the celebrations in what he described as “Ontario’s Feel Good Town.”
Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland reflected on both the significance of Canada Day and the community he said exemplifies the country’s values.
“Canada Day is a time of fireworks, time with family, backyard barbecues, and most importantly our community,” Cleveland said.
“As Mayor, it is my greatest honour and privilege to lead what I consider to be the best town in all of Ontario, if not all of Canada. I don’t think there is a category where Cobourg doesn’t punch above its proverbial weight.”
He said Cobourg represents the very best Canada has to offer and praised the strong sense of civic pride found throughout the community.
“But Canada Day also is about what it means to each and every one of us to be Canadian,” Cleveland said.
“What it means to live in a country not forged in the fires of war, but forged in the bonds of a dedicated commitment to common goals and universal aims.
“We live in a country that stands for peace in the world, that stands as a beacon for democracy, that stands for something far greater than the sum of its parts.
“Canada is a clarion call of democracy in a world that is so very desperate for it.”
The mayor also highlighted Cobourg’s downtown, describing it as the “true beating heart” of the community.
Quoting from a recent email he had received, Cleveland said Cobourg’s downtown is “welcoming, beautiful, and vibrant.”
He praised local business owners and the Downtown Business Improvement Area for showcasing everything that makes Cobourg unique, encouraging those attending Canada Day festivities to visit the downtown shops while in town.
“Let me close by saying what I say every Canada Day,” Cleveland said.
“I love Cobourg, how much it has given me and how much it truly means to me.
“Let her and all who call her home have prosperity, safety and sanctity.
“On behalf of my fellow Cobourg councillors and our Town staff, I want to wish you all a safe and happy Canada Day, with every happiness from my family to you and yours.”
The day’s celebrations continued throughout Victoria Park with family activities, live entertainment, food vendors and community displays before concluding with the annual fireworks display over Cobourg Harbour later in the evening.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love