There is plenty of excitement for Canada Day celebrations at home and at similar events around the world, as Canadians gather to celebrate the country's 144th birthday.
An ever-growing crowd of people in Ottawa congregated to catch a glimpse of this year's guests of honour, the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
RCMP said they were expecting a record number of people to attend the festivities this year, with about 500,000 people assembled on the Hill ahead of Prince William and Kate Middleton's arrival.
Security officials opened the barricades to the West Lawn after a flag-raising and Changing of the Guard ceremony around 10 a.m. ET, two hours after the royal couple arrived.
The weather is picture-perfect in Ottawa, with a high of 28 forecast for the afternoon.
In addition to the usual Canada Day hats and T-shirts, downtown souvenir stands are even selling a replica of Kate's engagement ring, which once belonged to William's mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales. On this Canada Day, she would have marked her 50th birthday.
There was no RCMP musial ride this year to accommodate the large crowd.
In Winnipeg, people will gather outside the provincial legislature. Participants will be given red and white T-shirts and they will then gather to form a human, or what they call a living, Canadian flag. The event will be a show of national pride and a photo will be taken just after 11 a.m. local time.
In Saskatoon, there will be live entertainment all day at Diefenbaker Park after a breakfast that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
A pancake breakfast kicked off the day's festivities in Edmonton on the grounds of the provincial legislature. Other events will be held at City Hall and the Edmonton Garrisoni. The first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, Chris Hadfield, will speak at Alberta Aviation Museum.
In Vancouver, the Olympic cauldron will be lit. The festivities will end with a fireworks show over Burrard Inlet.
In London's Trafalgar Square, where two days ago activists were staring down police during a protest against government austerity measures, there was a festive atmosphere Friday, as people were offered a taste of Canada.
They were eating poutine and drinking Tim Hortons coffee. Some watched aboriginal dancers while others played street hockey.
In the evening, they can take in a concert featuring such Canadian acts Blue Rodeo, Lennie Gallant, Jill Barber, Alex Cuba, Karkwa and Devon Sproule.
About 80,000 people who were born in Canada now live in London.
As well, Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan were treated to a visit by three Conservative dignitaries. Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Associated Defence Minister Julian Fantino and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose are spending Canada Day in Kandahar, Fantino's office announced Friday.
MacKay read a statement from the Duke and Duchess, addressed to the Canadian Forces, which said, "Godspeed your safe return to your family and friends, and to Canada."
This may be the last Canada Day celebrated in such a way as Canada's combat mission in Kandahar starts to wrap up.
An ever-growing crowd of people in Ottawa congregated to catch a glimpse of this year's guests of honour, the newly married Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
RCMP said they were expecting a record number of people to attend the festivities this year, with about 500,000 people assembled on the Hill ahead of Prince William and Kate Middleton's arrival.
Security officials opened the barricades to the West Lawn after a flag-raising and Changing of the Guard ceremony around 10 a.m. ET, two hours after the royal couple arrived.
The weather is picture-perfect in Ottawa, with a high of 28 forecast for the afternoon.
In addition to the usual Canada Day hats and T-shirts, downtown souvenir stands are even selling a replica of Kate's engagement ring, which once belonged to William's mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales. On this Canada Day, she would have marked her 50th birthday.
There was no RCMP musial ride this year to accommodate the large crowd.
Parks across the country
Elsewhere in the country, Canada Day celebrations will be centred in Calgary at Prince's Island Park.In Winnipeg, people will gather outside the provincial legislature. Participants will be given red and white T-shirts and they will then gather to form a human, or what they call a living, Canadian flag. The event will be a show of national pride and a photo will be taken just after 11 a.m. local time.
In Saskatoon, there will be live entertainment all day at Diefenbaker Park after a breakfast that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
A pancake breakfast kicked off the day's festivities in Edmonton on the grounds of the provincial legislature. Other events will be held at City Hall and the Edmonton Garrisoni. The first Canadian astronaut to walk in space, Chris Hadfield, will speak at Alberta Aviation Museum.
In Vancouver, the Olympic cauldron will be lit. The festivities will end with a fireworks show over Burrard Inlet.
Around the world
They were eating poutine and drinking Tim Hortons coffee. Some watched aboriginal dancers while others played street hockey.
In the evening, they can take in a concert featuring such Canadian acts Blue Rodeo, Lennie Gallant, Jill Barber, Alex Cuba, Karkwa and Devon Sproule.
About 80,000 people who were born in Canada now live in London.
As well, Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan were treated to a visit by three Conservative dignitaries. Defence Minister Peter MacKay, Associated Defence Minister Julian Fantino and Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose are spending Canada Day in Kandahar, Fantino's office announced Friday.
MacKay read a statement from the Duke and Duchess, addressed to the Canadian Forces, which said, "Godspeed your safe return to your family and friends, and to Canada."
This may be the last Canada Day celebrated in such a way as Canada's combat mission in Kandahar starts to wrap up.
