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Bright sun and beautiful blue sky were the perfect backdrop for Kincardine's Canada Day ceremony Friday morning.

Hundreds of people gathered at the large flag pole at the bottom of Harbour Street, or followed the Canada Day Parade down to the flag for the event.

The parade was led by South Bruce OPP constable Kevin Martin in a police golf cart, and the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. Behind them were the Kincardine Legion and veterans, the Kincardine Air Cadets, Boy Scouts, municipal officials, and several other interesting exhibits in red and white.

MC Mike Walsh welcomed everyone for the 144th birthday of Canada.

Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell wished the crowd a Happy Canada Day. 

"We are so blessed to live in the greatest nation in the world," she said. "This is a day to reflect on what's important to us. It's a grand celebration and it's wonderful to look out and see all the red and white and the terrific hats. Thanks to the volunteers for their hard work. There's so much to do in Kincardine this weekend."

Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer echoed those sentiments and welcomed everyone to participate in all the afternoon activities for Canada Day, plus the Cruise Night car show Friday night, and the Kincardine Scottish Festival which began Friday and runs through to Sunday afternoon. "Enjoy everything Kincardine has to offer," he said.

Bruce Power president and chief executive officer Duncan Hawthorne said three years ago was his first year as a Canadian citizen. 

"When you become a Canadian, you have to learn a lot about this country," he said. "It's a lot that people who were born here often taken for granted."

He said his job has taken him around the world as a representative of his company and Canada. 

"It makes me think about what Canada Day means to me and what it means to be a Canadian," he said. "In the past two weeks, I've been at a ceremony for Aboriginal Day at Bruce Power and heard about the history of this country. We have 57 different nationalities at Bruce Power. We live together and share our culture and we're Canadians."

He was at the opening of a new facility near London, for children sponsored by Easter Seals to go to camp and have some relaxation and relief.

Hawthorne said that during the nuclear disaster in Japan, Canadian aid workers were the first to arrive and the last to leave. 

"It's important to remember what being Canadian means," he said. "We have a great reputation around the world. We don't do things for recognition; we do them because they are the right things to do. I am proud to be Canadian."

Amelia Arciszewski and Jennelle Smeltzer were first and second, respectively, in the poetry contest, and read their poems for the crowd.

The flag was raised, while "O Canada" was sung, and a bunch of red and white balloons was released into the air.

Activities in the afternoon featured an animal talk by Tom Geddes of Mane Attractions in Arthur, in co-operation with the Bervie Zoo. The animals included a Bennett Wallaby, American Alligator, Red-footed Tortoise, an African Crested Porpoise, a Kinkajoo from South American, a Coatimundi (South American raccoon), and an Albino Burmese Python.

The Bluebelles entertained the crowd, there were children's games, and a Petting Zoo, featuring Emu, Wallaby, Patagonia Cavy, Pygmy Goats, Miniature Zebu, Miniature Donkey, Alpaca, Jacob Sheep (four horns), and Dorset Sheep.

The Canada Day celebration ended with fireworks at dusk at the Kincardine Harbour.

Kincardine Beaver Jeremy Cortan, 6, carries the flag in the parade

Carter (L), 9, and Connor Phelan, 7, of Waterdown, cottagers at Emmerton Beach, ride their bikes in the parade

Lucas Gracie, 2, of Kincardine pets a sheep

Bruce Power president and CEO Duncan Hawthorne (L) and Huron-Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell share a laugh before the Canada Day ceremony

Air Cadets Chris Pierce (L) and Taylor Casciano hold the Canadian flag

Mike Walsh (L) of Kincardine holds a new Canadian, his grandson, Jack Walsh of Grimsby

Selena Brown, 5, of Kincardine tries her luck at the fishing game

Scotlyn Murray, 7, of Kincardine gives a yell as she casts for a prize in the fishing game

Tom Geddes tries to keep hold of a Coatimundi

Cody Frook, 2, of Kitchener waves his Canadian flag

Kathryn (L), Allison, 21 months, and Andrew Bruce relax on the boardwalk by the lake and listen to the music of The Bluebelles

Samantha Nicholson, 4, of Kincardine has her face painted like a kitten

Kolten Lewis (R), 18 months, of Tecumseh, is fine without any face-painting; with his father, Brad

Angie Wall of Kincardine shows her Canada Day spirit

Fireworks at Kincardine Harbour

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Saturday, July 02, 2011