This Canada Day is a bit special to me since I will become a Canadian citizen this Friday. So I walked around, from Parliament Hill to the Byward, from Rideau Street to Kind Edward, taking pictures and enjoying a small burst of patriotism. Hope you don’t OD on Canadian flags!

Summer is definitely here: hot and humid weather, checked. People on holidays? Checked. Canada Day and a bunch of cool festivals coming up? Checked. Outdoor BBQs? Checked.

North Americans love BBQ. Well, the tradition is best honored in Southern US, but Canadians like it too. And every year, the Sparks Street BBQ contest attracts a lot of people. Eleven teams from across Canada and the USA “compete” for the best ribs and the best chicken pieces. It is a lot of meat — basically, a vegetarian nightmare.

National Aboriginal Day is a day for all Canadians to celebrate the cultures and contributions to Canada of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples

From May to October, tons of tourist flock to Ottawa, including a lot of Canadians who want to see what the heck the capital looks like. The city is busier than usual as groups gather in front of the Parliament, around the Byward Market or nearby the Rideau Center.

Like every year in Ottawa, the Tulips Festival put a bit of color in the city.