July 5, 2002
Face-painter
Jon Cruz puts the finishing touches on 10-year-old Simionie Joamie at the Canada
day celebrations in Iqaluit. Hundreds came out Monday for a pancake breakfast
and some colour on their cheeks.
(PHOTO BY MIRIAM HILL)
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True North strong and free
Residents celebrate
what it means to be Canadian in Iqaluit
Young Sam and George Sherlock
sit in the sunshine outside the new arena in Iqaluit July 1. George wears a
white vest emblazoned with a red maple leaf and both boys sport hats made from
paper flags.
Sam and George were but
two of the hundreds who came out Monday for a pancake breakfast and flea market
in Iqaluit in celebration of Canadas 135th birthday.
Crystal Jones, with her
hair pulled back and her arms up to the elbows in a bowl of pancake batter,
beams with excitement. Jones, the citys recreation coordinator, along
with a four-person Canada Day committee, planned the event that had people lining
up before the doors opened at 9 a.m.
"Its a huge
success so far," she says, laughing. "Its showing whats
yet to come."
Two-year-old
Justin gets a ride on his mothers shoulders as the Canada Day parade in
Iqaluit passes by.
(PHOTO BY MIRIAM HILL)
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Shortly after 10 a.m.,
Jones says, between 200 and 250 had been served and the pancake mix was running
a little short.
The flea market, run by
the Iqaluit Music Society, had something for everyone, including Eliza Kingdon.
Decked out in head-to-toe
maple leaf gear, Kingdon explains she has been on the Canada Day committee for
seven years, "And I just love Canada."
Jon Cruz and Tina Rose
sit near the entrance doors, wearing Canada Day 2002 T-shirts and painting the
faces of willing children.
As he paints red designs
on the face of 10-year-old Simionie Joamie, Cruz explains he is up from South
where he studies animation.
"Yeah, this is fun,"
he said smiling.
A three-on-three basketball
tournament in front of Nakasuk School occupied some while a parade, organized
by Heritage Canada, began from Inuksuk High School.
A variety of floats, most
decorated with red and white, wove through the downtown streets, while float
riders tossed candy to the crowds lining the streets.
The food continued back
at the curling rink, where a band played as people stood in line waiting for
hotdogs. Awards were given out for best costumes and outstanding contributions
by youth, and some recent Canadian citizens reaffirmed their oaths.
Many milled about outside
the fire hall where the trucks were out on display in the sun. Bowls of chili
kept tummies from rumbling and helped build energy for those competing in the
bench press.
People picnicked and barbecued
throughout the city during the day and the evening was capped off with musical
entertainment at the curling rink.
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