Living flag, massive selfie and awesome weather highlight Canada Day in Winnipeg

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This article was published 01/07/2015 (3968 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An estimated 3,580 people celebrated Canada’s 148th birthday in style this morning.

At Shaw Park, people dressed in complimentary red and white T-shirts from the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ took to the baseball field to form a living Canadian flag.

It’s the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag, which added to the special occasion for some.

"This is our first Canada Day," said Julia Novaes, a Brazilian exchange student living in Winnipeg and studying at the University of Manitoba.

With friends Eduardo Ferreira and Vivian Miranda, she held a selfie stick to document the festivities. Novaes said everyone has a selfie stick back home in Brazil.

Still, Canada beats out Brazil in terms of elaborate independence day celebrations, she said.

Many people at the living flag activity were recent immigrants to Canada.

Lili Wang moved with her daughters Anna, 8, and Victoria, 3, from China in 2013. The family was enjoying their first big Canada Day celebrations.

The Rivero clan moved to Winnipeg from the Philippines that same year and love their new home so far.

"The government first is better and there (are) better opportunities for the kids," said dad, Alan Rivero. "We moved for their future, not ours."

Kids were out in full force at Shaw Park, many of them fresh off their last day of school.

"We came because it was my last day of school and it’s a treat," said Megan Rodd, 8. It’s also Canada’s birthday, she added.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is waiting to hear attendance numbers for living flags from other cities to see if Winnipeg won the competition for largest flag.

“Today’s Canada Day, so we have to celebrate,” said Olayinka Ogunfuwa as he snapped a picture of his wife and daughters sitting on a giant baseball outside Shaw Park. The family missed the living flag photo-op by 10 minutes, but was looking forward to a day of fun.

“We love to celebrate and we love Canada. We’ll take any chance to celebrate!” he joked.

Music, fireworks at The Forks

Just down the street from the ballpark, outdoor concerts, crafting areas, a kids’ obstacle course and various vendors were among the activities available at The Forks.

The riverwalk was full of traffic and mostly clear of mud, after being submerged underwater for most of the season up to this point. Ducks and Canadian geese roamed without abandon, some of them even eating directly out of children’s hands.

The humidity at The Forks was turning some people’s faces as red as their shirts, one mom said in passing.

Mike Boyle somewhat regretted wearing a felt-covered maple leaf tuque, but didn’t lose any of his layers (at least not in the early afternoon). He draped himself in a full-body Canada flag, a red-and-white scarf, shorts, a shirt and sneakers.

“We’re here to soak up the atmosphere… but we should maybe be having a pool party in the afternoon,” Boyle said.

Eight-year-old Angela Rodd, her five-year-old sister, Lydia, and their dad, Richard, were planning to hit up a pool party and visit their grandparents.

“I’m excited about Canada,” said Lydia. “I like the colours.”

For Angela, Canada Day reminds her of friends. It reminds Lydia of fireworks, which were scheduled to erupt at The Forks around 11 p.m. Richard Dodd said the family would be back for those if the kids could stay awake that long.

‘Largest selfie’

Another major photo-op drew thousands to Assiniboine Park for Canada Day. Organizers called it Manitoba’s Largest Selfie and it happened in front of the Lyric Stage around 4 p.m.

The outdoor stage was a major draw for those wanting to check out local performers, like Keith and Renee and Sierra Noble, who occupied most of the lineup.

The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band also provided entertainment and the World Village Gospel Choir sang O Canada, after speeches from Premier Greg Selinger, Mayor Brian Bowman and Lieutenant-Governor Janice Filmon.