Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Though the days are gone when Canada Day meant an exciting parade up the middle of Chemin d’Oka in Deux-Montagnes, the country’s birthday was still celebrated on July 1 in the city’s Central Park.
There, thousands of people from all over the Deux-Montagnes MRC as well as elsewhere on the North Shore gathered for an all-day celebration of Canadian patriotism and values on the country’s 157th birthday.
After a couple of years when the Covid pandemic forced event cancellations in Deux-Montagnes on Canada Day, and then last year when torrential rain closed things down altogether, this year’s 53rd annual Canada Day was a long-awaited indulgence for many Deux-Montagnes residents.

A big day in Deux-Montagnes
Still, according to Canada Day organizing committee president Tom Whitton, it would have been hard to beat Canada Day 2022, when a record 10,000 people gathered in Central Park.

And yet, before noon on July 1 this year, the park was already crowded with moms, dads, kids and other family members, all eager to have a good time while celebrating their country’s birthday.
Special guests this year were Canadian figure skating partners Loucas Éthier and Kelly Ann Laurin, who served as honorary event co-presidents. Éthier, 24, and Laurin, 18, have been skating together for the past six years.
Both being from the Laurentian region, they train at École Excellence Rosemère and have been members of Canada’s figure skating team since 2022, representing the country at international figure skating events.

Fun and games for all
There was something for everyone, from inflatable games for children, to face painting and mini-train rides, as well as children’s races and an egg-toss contest.
For older residents of Deux-Montagnes keen on traditional pastimes, there were horseshoe toss championships, bean bag toss tournaments, even bingo with a lively numbers caller.
This year, the organizers decided to invite back local artisans who offered a range of their locally handcrafted wares.
The Canada Day stage hosted rock and roll performers through the day, with a closing performance in the evening by ROCKOLOGY, a band that performed classic English and French rock music from the 1970s and 1980s.
The day came to a fitting close around 10 pm with a superb display of fireworks glistening off the Lake of Two Mountains and lighting up the North Shore sky.