I love Canada Day! It’s an opportunity to show pride in our country and its people.

This past weekend, Angie and I decided to spend Canada Day in the place where it all began; Prince Edward Island. From the moment we arrived in PEI, there were signs of patriotism everywhere. Flags and balloons decorated businesses and homes.

North Rustico….Wow! Now THAT is how to celebrate Canada Day. The tiny fishing village near Cavendish attracts thousands of people for its morning parade and afternoon of entertainment and food. You encountered smiles and laughter everywhere. I have never seen a community so decked out for Canada Day as North Rustico. By late afternoon, more cars were pouring into the village for the annual parade of fishing boats. No less than 60 of them were covered in red and white from stem to stern as they made their way along the scenic waterfront. Later in the evening, the community and its thousands of visitors thrilled to an incredible display of fireworks.

We visited other areas of the Island as well. Being of French heritage, my wife wanted to tour some of the Acadian region. We left the Trans Canada in Miscouche and toured the beautiful coastal route that features Arsenaults and Gallants on every mailbox. It was gorgeous and,again, full of displays of Canadian pride.

It was nice to see one of Nova Scotia’s political party leaders dining in the same restaurant as us one evening. It was, for him, a rare opportunity to enjoy time with his family in a setting where he appeared to be totally unknown to his fellow diners.

I’ve celebrated Canada Day in a number of places. Many years ago, my family joined 100,000 others on Parliament Hill for a July 1^st party. Every Canadian should do that at least once. Another time, we spent Canada Day cheering on the Blue Jays at the former Skydome in Toronto before watching fireworks in Coburg, Ontario.

However, the enthusiasm and patriotism I encountered in North Rustico has never been matched. Many communities, including Truro, could learn from their example.