MONTREAL - Thousands of Montrealers lined a downtown parade route to help celebrate Canada's 144th birthday Friday.
Members of the Canadian military, as well as representatives from countless Canadian-based communities took part. They included Hungarian, Indonesian, Polish, Iraqi, Irish, Ukrainian, Indian, First Nations, police and many others.
One tot from Morocco noted that the red leaves were outnumbered by other symbols. "I see a lot of flags from countries which aren't having their birthday," he said.
Another onlooker from Norway, however, was impressed with the multiplicity of cultures. "It's international and multicultural in the best way," he said.
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau greeted paradegoers as they arrived at Place du Canada, shaking hands and handing out some of the 2,000 pieces to be sliced from the massive red and white birthday cake.
The MP for Papineau and son of longtime Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau wore one of his father's old buckskin jackets and joked that it was older than he was. He told the crowd that he was lucky to born in Canada, but was more inspired by the day's celebrants who had chosen Canada to be their home.
Various neighborhoods celebrated the event with community events while the biggest party took place at the Old Port where inflatable games, yoga, line dancing, skateboarding and fireworks were all featured.
The evening musical acts featured Jacynthe, followed by Freddie James and then DJ Psychology.
One young man who spoke to CTV Montreal was one of many who raved about the evening event. "It was really good, seriously, we had so much fun," he said. "It was one of the best shows in Montreal."
