After wandering around Parliament Hill and Major Hill’s Park on Canada Day, we went home to rest a bit and eventually headed back downtown for the night show.

We somehow managed to secure a spot by the Parliament where we were surrounded by a sea of people clad in red and white. The atmosphere was great! Each province presented its artists and the music kept people going. The light was wonderful, right after sunset, under a clear midnight blue sky.

I snapped my favourite picture of the bunch shortly before the 10 p.m. fireworks—a couple kissing under the Canadian flag someone was waving. Another kissing couple… in a more positive setting this time.

The fireworks lasted for a good 15 minutes and even though they were partially blocked by the Parliament from where we stood, we had a great view.

Getting out of the Parliament’s grounds was pretty challenging—imagine 300,000 people exiting through a relatively small door under the eye of the police! Catching a bus (free after 10 p.m.) was equally fun. We jumped on the first one we saw and squeezed by the door to make it home safely.

A Sea of Red at Dusk
Crowded
Sunset on The Night Show
Waving the Nunavut Flag
Quebec Dance
The Night Show
Crowded on the Hill
Before the Fireworks
Sea of Red and White
The Kissing Couple
Fireworks Starting
10 p.m. Fireworks
The Crazy Lineup for the Bus
In The Bus Looking At Another Bus
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25 Comments

  1. Jorge July 6, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    The Kissing Couple and the 10 pm Fireworks, awesome pictures!
    The one with the couple would be the perfect picture for a “Visit Canada” campaign. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 6, 2011 at 6:21 pm

      I’m ready the sell the rights of the picture if needed!

      Reply
  2. Jeruen July 6, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Wow, Canadians do know how to party! Awesome pictures, as always!

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 6, 2011 at 6:24 pm

      Thank you! Yes, Canada Day is a big deal in Ottawa.

      Reply
  3. Laurel July 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    I would love to celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa, but I had no idea that 300,000 people turned out. It looks like so much fun though. I think I could put up with that many people once a year.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 6, 2011 at 6:24 pm

      The crowd is huge every year, plus this year they had the Royal couple visiting.

      Reply
  4. Yogi July 6, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    It looks like a great time was had by all. It’s cool that Canada Day and the USA’s July 4th are so close.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 6, 2011 at 6:25 pm

      Yes, I wish I could see July 4 celebrations one day. Must be great too!

      Reply
  5. Steff July 6, 2011 at 1:56 pm

    The pictures are awesome!!!! My favourite is A Sea of Red at Dusk.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 6, 2011 at 6:25 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. barbara July 6, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Hi Zhu,

    Wow, you both had a great time! It look like a great evening.
    I’ll say that moments like these are electric. Everyone happy and proud!
    I love that shot of the fireworks near the Parlement. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 7, 2011 at 3:42 pm

      Thank you, I’m glad you liked the pictures!

      Reply
  7. Nigel July 7, 2011 at 3:27 am

    Aha, the kissing couple is indeed beautiful.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 7, 2011 at 3:42 pm

      It was good timing 🙂

      Reply
  8. Soleil July 7, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    Sounds like Canada Day was a great event! I love the pictures, especially the ones with the fireworks. They are really stunning. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 7, 2011 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you! The fireworks were great.

      Reply
  9. expatraveler July 7, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Major props to you for getting in so many photos with such a large crowd!

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 8, 2011 at 3:22 pm

      I guess it’s good I’m tall enough! 😆

      Reply
  10. Em July 7, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    Great shots! I need practice t taking pictures of fireworks, but they are quite rare here.

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 8, 2011 at 3:22 pm

      What’s the national day there? They should have some for that!

      Reply
      1. Em July 8, 2011 at 6:46 pm

        Paddy’s Day, the 17th of March. I don’t think there are fireworks, never seen any; everybody is far too drunk by that time. There is usually a parade and then th pub. There are fireworks for New Year’s eve (but not where I live) though and for the Spraoi festival in Waterford.

        Reply
        1. Zhu July 10, 2011 at 12:17 am

          Oh yes, should have thought of Paddy’s Day. For some reason, I couldn’t remember the local national day even though this one is celebrated around the world!

          Reply
          1. Em July 11, 2011 at 3:44 pm

            🙂

  11. Cynthia July 9, 2011 at 7:30 am

    That must have been a great night!

    Reply
    1. Zhu July 10, 2011 at 12:19 am

      It was a very good show.

      Reply

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