Regina celebrates Canada Day at Wascana Park – Regina

Canada Day celebrations returned to Regina this year after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

It was a Canada Day full of fun, food, shows and love for the country. On Friday, hundreds of people lined up near the legislative building in Wascana Park to watch the festivities.

One of those attendees was Daniel Schmidt, who says he was having an amazing time.

« I’m hanging out, soaking up the sun, enjoying some of the festivities, it’s a fantastic celebration, » Schmidt said.

The delay in public celebrations made this year’s party an unparalleled effort. Carrie Hackel, Director of Marketing and Communications for Regina’s Canada Day Committee, says there have been hurdles in bringing this year’s celebration to life.

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“Unfortunately over the past two years we’ve lost more than half of our committee so we’ve all had to do extra duties this year to bring things together,” Hackel said. « We’re really really happy that families can come and have a really nice day. »

This happiness is taken up by Schmidt.

« It was crazy, but the great thing about being out now for Canada Day is that we’re out in public with everyone enjoying Canada Day and celebrating, it’s fantastic… it’s almost like a new experience, » Schmidt said.

The day was filled with fun for the whole family. Attendees were treated to performances ranging from concerts, dance performances to magic shows.

The streets were also lined with many vendors and food trucks offering a variety of different options, such as barbecue, hot dogs, ice cream and slushies.

But for some, Canada Day meant more than just participating in fun activities. On a day dedicated to patriotism, it is important to remember Canada’s Indigenous history and reconciliation efforts.

Evan Whitestar, the Indigenous lawyer from Mother Teresa Middle School, along with other Indigenous students from the school, were invited to Wascana Park to perform a First Nations drumming and dancing performance as part of the festivities of the day.

« We choose not to celebrate Canada Day and recognize all the genocide it took, but we choose to recognize our resilience as a First Nations community, » Whitestar said. « We found our education, as well as our culture and our identity through our corridors and we choose to embody what we want to be. »