Coldest Canada Day in years still draws a crowd to flag pole on Harbour Street

Despite the cold, damp weather Wednesday morning, everyone received a warm welcome in Kincardine as the community celebrated Canada Day with a parade from the Kincardine Legion to the bottom of Harbour Street, where the ceremony was held at the flag pole.

The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band led the parade, followed by the Kincardine Legion Colour Party, members of the Legion, the Kincardine Air Cadets carrying a Canadian flag "Olympics-style," Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie, "Captain Canada" Brad Kirkconnell, Huron-Bruce federal Liberal candidate Allan Thompson and his family, entertainer Robert Davis, and the Montgomery Ford Midget girls provincial championship hockey team.



The Kincardine Canada Day Parade, led by the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band
 

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A huge crowd of adults and children gathered at the flag pole where MC Mike Walsh welcomed them for the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag, and the 148th birthday of Canada.

The youngest person in attendance was 10-month-old Charlie MacDonald of Kincardine, while the eldest was Keith Armstrong of Kincardine who will be 92 in October. They both received Canadian flags.

The crowd sang "This Land Is Your Land," and then Eadie welcomed everyone to the municipality and said there is no better place to celebrate than in Kincardine.

"We are privileged to call Canada home," she said. "We often take our freedom and our democratic rights for granted. I was so proud 50 years ago when we adopted the Canadian flag. It is a symbol of this beautiful country of ours.

"So, whether you're a long-time resident, a new resident, a seasonal resident, or a visitor, welcome to Kincardine. In fact, 100,000 Welcomes. Happy Canada Day!"

Keith Davidson (R), former recreation director and full-time cheerleader of Kincardine, arrived with his face painted red and white, and a bag of props, ready to take the microphone as the guest speaker.

Blowing his own horn, he hollered: "Go Canada! Go Kincardine! Celebrate!"

"Our flag is 50 years old this year, and it's as recognizable in Victoria Park as it is in outer space," said Davidson. "It makes us proud everywhere it's flown, especially on Canada Day."

He said the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, of which he is a member, was invited to the Netherlands, May 1-10, to help celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of that country by Canadian troops.

"I was proud to be a Canadian and see how much love and respect they had for our Canadian veterans," said Davidson. "It was like Canada Day every day there. We were good ambassadors of Canada, Kincardine and Legion Branch 183.

"A total of 7,600 Canadian soldiers died on that soil, and are buried there. They averaged in age from 19-22. They gave the ultimate sacrifice for the Netherlands and for Canada. It was a great honour to be there.

"Always hold democracy close to your heart and speak up if your leaders ever waver from it. Do a good turn to others, and make this community and this country even stronger."

Davidson then presented Kirkconnell with a hockey jersey, with "Captain Canada" on it and a "20," noting that he has been chairman of the Canada Day committee for 20 years.

Walsh led the crowd in singing "O Canada," the flag was hoisted, and the balloons released.

The Kincardine Scottish played "The Maple Leaf Forever," and there were children's activities and entertainment in Macpherson Park throughout the afternoon.

Canada Day ended with a wonderful fireworks display at dusk.