Canada Day in Hamilton marks celebration of culture and community

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the country’s history, culture, and people. And while our national identity is always evolving, some of the strongest examples of that diversity can be found at celebrations across the country.

At Bayfront Park there was music, food and families camping – all getting ready for the fireworks Tuesday night.

But what makes Hamilton truly shine on a day like Canada Day is its people. From our Indigenous roots to immigrant communities who now call the city home, Hamilton has long been a microcosm of Canada itself.

Today, throughout Gage Park you’ll find celebrations that honour Canada in more ways than one.

“It makes me feel proud to be the mayor of this city. I mean, let’s face it, this cultural space is so diverse and the city is very diverse. But when you have everybody in one place, in one park for one festival, you really get to realize the beauty of it, the fact that our city really is a place for everyone, and that everyone can have fun together in this wonderful park,” said Mayor of Hamilton Andrea Horwath.

It’s Your Festival, an annual event, features a robust mix of music, language and food from all walks of life.

“The diversity that exists in Canada will exist today, on Canada Day, at Gage Park,” said spokesperson for the Jamaica Foundation Hamilton, Cassandra Dockery

The values of shared space and inclusion aren’t lost on local leaders.

“I think it’s about coming together as a community and celebrating all of the people that live here and that make our community so great. So I think it’s just, yeah, celebrating what brings us together and focusing on that and focusing on how we together confront our shared challenges,” said MPP for Hamilton-Centre Robin Lennox.

“I’ve been here since morning and there was a big festival in here for citizenship, almost 15 different countries, people who took oaths today, there were almost 29 new citizens. We welcomed them on beautiful Canada Day,” said MP for Hamilton-Centre Aslam Rana

Whether you were born here or arrived yesterday, if you call Hamilton home, you’re a part of this country’s story.

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