20°c Partly cloudy
12°c Cloudy with showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Thousands create living flag
Thousands of Winnipeggers form a living flag at the Manitoba legislature as a Hercules aircraft passes overhead. (RON GILFILLAN)
COLE BREILAND / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Ashton Garro and Victor Hugo Escobar Valle are two among many in Sunday�s living flag at the Manitoba legislature.
From the air, it looked like a Canadian flag composed of people in red-and-white T-shirts. But from the ground, it looked like a cultural mosaic.
The mass of Manitobans who crammed shoulder to shoulder Sunday morning were a visible representation of the province's colourful ethnic diversity. From their language and their appearance, it was clear Winnipeg's living flag was knit with material from many continents.
The thousands of participants jammed together as the Downtown BIZ, the organizing body, took a photograph.
Some people smiled, others waved, and some looked straight up at the camera.
Many were Canadians who were born far away from Canada, but now call it home.
"It's about being part of the community," said Mar Manimtim, who came with his girlfriend to be part of the flag.
Participants began showing up to the legislative grounds around 9:30 a.m. and heard musical performances by Brenlee Martin and Enjoy Your Pumas. Red-and-white T-shirts were given out on a first-come, first-served basis, and a Hercules aircraft flew over the event a number of times.
An official head count wasn't available Sunday night, but organizers hoped the overall participation rate would beat six other cities attempting the same feat. Last year, Winnipeg drew 3,400 participants.
The photograph of the living flag was supposed to be taken at 11:15 a.m., although there was a short delay. While waiting, participants sang O Canada in both English and French under the leadership of Martin.
When the photo had been captured, participants started to disperse. Some headed to other Canada Day festivities, while others got a spot in the shade and enjoyed a hotdog and cold drink for lunch.
Germaine Sawchuk and her son, Gary, stayed on the grounds to enjoy the sun. Sawchuk has lived in Canada her entire life; she loves living in "friendly Manitoba," she said.
"She's been living here since 1919, she's 92," said her son.
Germaine said: "One thing that I do like is that I managed to get to be 92 with hardly any problems of being sick or anything. For me it was a healthy place to live."
As children waved small flags and people cheered after singing Happy Birthday to the nation, it was evident that at 145 years old, Canada is very much alive.
kristy.hoffman@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 2, 2012 A5
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- City's first urban reserve born
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- City set to seize derelict hotel
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Jockey club launches $350-M civil suit against province
- Witness changes story of killing
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Police identify slaying victims
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- The end of the credit card?
- City's first urban reserve born
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- City's first urban reserve born
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Better PTSD treatment for RCMP urged
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- Katz plays on with golf-course plan
- Jockey club launches $350-M civil suit against province
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- City's first urban reserve born
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- North End proud
- Power restored to Linden Woods after goose collides with lines
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.