It’s Canada Day again. This year we can finally reunite for some of our beloved traditions, like the activities at Fort George and the Rotary Club’s events at Simcoe Park.

And, of course, the now famous Cake Parade, which sees an approximately 1,000-pound cake wheeled into the park to be sliced up for all to share.

The cake is generously donated by Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Willow Cakes and Pastries every year. Owner Catherine O’Donnell and her team spend up to 400 hours creating the mammoth dessert, which feeds hundreds of people.

Yum.

Every year there is a new Canadian-inspired theme that’s kept top secret until the event. We can’t wait to see this year’s creation.

We suspect (and hope) there might be an orange theme to it this year.

Over at the fort there are free tours all day, food trucks in the afternoon and a dazzling fireworks display at night.

These types of events, and the generosity of the people who contribute to and organize them, are among the things that make NOTL so special. 

They’re the types of events that have kids counting the days to the long weekend and parents booking days off long in advance to make sure they don’t miss the fun.

It’s the type of fun that sends a ripple effect down the whole street, so that even workers looking out of shop windows have a smile on their face.

So this week, we want to give major kudos to everyone involved in bringing back NOTL’s Canada Day party.

Two years off didn’t slow you down, though it could have, and we appreciate you helping us get back to the NOTL we know and love.

Kudos to O’Donnell and her team. Kudos to Rotary’s volunteers for planning fun, free celebrations all day. Kudos to Parks Canada and the Friends of Fort George for bringing back the fireworks and opening Fort George to all.

Kudos also to the Pumphouse, which will host a scavenger hunt around town.

It’s easy to forget, when things are normal, just how lucky we are.

If we look, one thing we can make sure we take with us from the last two years is to not take anything for granted. Let’s remember how good we have it in the good times.

Over in Ukraine, people will be dealing with war July 1, while we eat cake and hot dogs.

A sharp contrast.

So while you’re out on Canada Day, say thanks to someone who helped out with the party.

These days when we can get together and celebrate have a big impact on us all. So let’s celebrate the people who make it all happen. 

editor@niagaranow.com