MONTREAL - A sea of red flowed onto Ste. Catherine street Monday for the 36th Canada Day parade, as about 50,000 onlookers watched a colourful display that embraced the multicultural roots of the local population.
Costumes ranged from kilts, to saris, to elaborately embroidered gowns, but everybody appeared to be sporting a maple leaf and a smile in the summer sun.
The parade kicked off at 11 a.m. at Fort as 70 floats rolled easterward to Place du Canada where coffee and cake was served.
Montreal city councillor Mary Deros and former federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion were among the dignitaries present for the occasion.
“It's good to see how many communities are living in harmony in Montreal and Canada so this is great, it's a great occasion,” one onlooker told CTV Montreal.
The local Canada Day parade tradition began in earnest in 1979 when Dr. Roopnarine Singh, who moved to Canada from Trinidad in 1955, organized the event, which has become an annual staple since.
Festivities continued at the Old Port after the parade.
Click here to see a photo gallery of the parade.
