Members of the Lalonde family travel from as far away as Edmonton and Calgary, every year, to celebrate Canada Day at Fort George Park    250News photo

Prince George, BC – Two-year-old Amelie and her four-year-old brother, Logan, were travelling through Fort George Park in style this morning, as city residents flocked to the park to celebrate Canada’s 146th birthday.

By 11am this morning, park-goers were already staking out the shady spots as they set up chairs to take in the upcoming performances in the bandshell.

Today’s festivities mark the 39th year the Multicultural and Heritage Society has hosted the annual event in the park.  Society Vice-President, Granville Johnson, says Canada Day would not be the same in Prince George without the good food, dedicated volunteers, and wide range of performers who help to celebrate Canada’s diversity.

Among the many events to take in at the park, members of ‘The Shire of Cold Keep’ – a local medieval and renaissance re-creation club – are clashing in an armoured combat demonstration. 

(click on  photo at left for video)

The water spray park is, not surprisingly, working overtime to cool off those needing a break from the sunshine.

The Two Rivers Art Gallery has a crafts booth set up and is inviting everyone to create a picture that symbolizes what Canada means to them.

Photo at right shows Devon Flynn, the Gallery’s Creativity Camp Coordinator (left), Volunteer docent Mary Applegate, and Volunteers Keshav and Sunayana Mann, along with some of the artwork already created this morning.

Flynn says the Gallery is busy preparing for this week’s BMO Kidz Art Days and all the summer creativity programs about to get underway.

The Exploration Place is also a beehive of activity with a BBQ in support of the museum’s Science Alliance summer camps, and a queue of eager train enthusiasts, both young and old, waiting to ride the Little Prince, with its wood-steam powered engine.

It is expected that hundreds will ride the train today. 

In fact, Engineers Nick Chapman, John Calogheros, and Steve Carras (shown at left) had to get an early start on the rails as a result of the eager passengers waiting patiently.  (click on photo at left for video)

Exploration Place Executive Director, Tracy Calogheros says, for the first time, CN Rail is sponsoring the Little Prince’s day long free trips. 

By 11:30 this morning, more than 500 people had already ridden the rails.

Photo at right shows the Little Prince drawing up on the RCMP’s all-terrain vehicle, being driven by Sergeant Al Steinhauser.

Sergeant Steinhauser’s vehicle is equipped with all the bells and whistles – make that sirens and flashing lights – and he was making many youngsters’ day by allowing them to hop into the passenger seat for a brief chat and picture.

Also on-hand are employees from Canfor, with a booth at the 17th Avenue entrance to the park, where they are handing out seedlings.

Spokesperson, Eric Andersen, says they arrived at the park with 6,000 seedlings and they’ve been handing them out non-stop. 

Canfor is celebrating its 75th Anniversary and is the sponsor of this evening’s fireworks display, set to launch from Connaught Hill Park at 11pm.