BC Day 2010

The Monday of the August First long weekend here is called BC Day. Its main reason for existence is to provide another long weekend during summer. However, it also celebrates British Columbia so it was fitting that the event I attended was held on the grounds of the historic St. Ann's Academy, which opened in 1858. The couple enjoying a peaceful picnic above are on the grounds just to the right of where a large crowd was enjoying the music of some truly stellar performers, including Zinnia (left) with the band Momentum. There were food and information booths and activities for the kids including face-painting (right).

Below, some young girls dance to the music of Ed Peekeekoot, Alan Moberg and Ms. Peekeekoot. This trio really reminded me that we have some great musicians in Canada writing and performing genuinely Canadian music.

BC Day

The first monday in August is a national holiday in Canada although it is given different names in different parts of the country. See the Edmonton CDP blogger's post for all the information on this. In BC we call it BC Day. This year there is a lot of hoopla over the fact that British Columbia is now 150 years old and it is 150 years since the City of Victoria was officially so designated. I'm not very enthusiastic about large events and enormous crowds but other people are so here is a quick shot of what the Inner Harbour looked like on BC Day.