First to celebrate Canada Day

July 1/18 - Canada Day.
We woke up at 4:30 am to go to Signal Hill so that we could be among the first Canadians to see the sun on Canada Day. Sunrise is at 5:07 am. When we arrived at 4:50 am there was a bit of fog but we could clearly see all of St John's from the hill. At 5:05 am this is what we saw looking east.

No sunrise for us on this day

July 1 is also Memorial Day in Newfoundland to recall the losses of approximately 700 Newfoundland soldiers at Beaumont Hamel during the 1st World War.

Flags are flown at half staff in the morning in memory of the lost soldiers, then at noon they are moved to full staff to celebrate Canada Day.
After the ceremony we were treated to Canada Day cupcakes. Little Red Dog decided to sleep in.

We were back home by 7:00 am and since non of us were accustomed to being up at 4:00 am we all went back to bed.
In the afternoon Jordan & Rebecca chose to stay home and relax. Maryann & I went to the park to partake in the celebrations. The afternoon festivities were mostly geared to the kids but they was some live music to enjoy. I was quite disappointed in the balloon entertainers. There were 3 people sharing 1 pump and a little distance away was another woman with her own pump. NONE of them were wearing a costume of any kind or even any red for Canada Day. No effort for entertainers.
Another cupcake and a Timmies.

In the evening we went back to Signal Hill for the fireworks display. Remembering the morning, and considering we were going to be on top of a hill, we all bundled up. But it turned out to be quite comfortable. The wind had died down. It was actually so calm that the smoke from the fireworks hung in the air and partly obscured the bursts.

Still, it was a good 20 minute display. A good way to end Canada Day.