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.
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. 🙂
I’m ready the sell the rights of the picture if needed!
Wow, Canadians do know how to party! Awesome pictures, as always!
Thank you! Yes, Canada Day is a big deal in Ottawa.
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.
The crowd is huge every year, plus this year they had the Royal couple visiting.
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.
Yes, I wish I could see July 4 celebrations one day. Must be great too!
The pictures are awesome!!!! My favourite is A Sea of Red at Dusk.
Thank you!
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. 🙂
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the pictures!
Aha, the kissing couple is indeed beautiful.
It was good timing 🙂
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.
Thank you! The fireworks were great.
Major props to you for getting in so many photos with such a large crowd!
I guess it’s good I’m tall enough! 😆
Great shots! I need practice t taking pictures of fireworks, but they are quite rare here.
What’s the national day there? They should have some for that!
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.
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!
🙂
That must have been a great night!
It was a very good show.