30 Jun 06 It’s (nearly) Canada Day!
But here in London the Canada Day celebrations are happening today from 2:00 til 7:00 in Trafalgar Square. A bit strange to hold festivities a day early, right? In past years on July 1st, Canadians in London have overtaken the Maple Leaf pub in Covent Garden and partied in the street throughout the day, I’m told. The change this year is apparently due to the conflicting Pride parade and police will be enforcing normalcy on Maiden Lane tomorrow. The Maple Leaf will still draw big crowds though I’m sure, as I think it’s the old standard pub where Canadians here gather (even though it’s authenticity as ‘Canadian’ and overall quality as a pub is much debated).
Moving the party to Trafalgar Square, though, has the upside of being higher profile and much larger in scope, considering the tens of thousands of tourists and local bodies that crowd the square on a daily basis. The downside, unfortunately, is people who work Friday won’t be able to attend. Ah well, now there’s two days of celebrations :O) Bonus is the weather is outstanding, sunny, with temps expected to hold above 30 for the next few days.
I wonder, what are the chances there will be a clash between the Canadians and protesters of the seal hunt who have been demonstrating in front of Canada House which is directly adjacent to Trafalgar Square? They have been spreading leaflets and chanting shame on Canada, boycott Canada….
I’m bringing my camera :)
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Hi Tiffany & Matt - Sounds interesting! Hope you had an enjoyable ‘Canada Day” away from home any way!
Comment by Lynda — July 1, 2006 #
Canada Day was fun, though the ‘celebration’ in Trafalgar Square was more like a travel trade show… several tables were set up to pitch the provinces as travel destinations. I didn’t stay to hear any of the bands, as I didn’t recognise any of them, but the Maple Leaf pub was packed full! Oh, and the seal hunt protesters weren’t around.
Comment by Tiffany — July 12, 2006 #