Dear Diane,

I love to entertain and am always looking for new ideas. Do you have any suggestions for how to celebrate Canada's birthday?

Thanks for the suggestions,
- Lauren, Burlington, ON

Hi Lauren,

You've come to the right place—I love a great Canada Day celebration! From parades and picnics to concerts, fireworks, and of course, flying the Canadian flag. Here are my top suggestions for an unforgettable day:

1. Enjoy a day off work. Canada Day is a national holiday. All government offices and services are closed and most businesses give their employees the day off.
2. Display the Canadian flag. Canada Day is an occasion to raise the Maple Leaf flag and display the national, red and white colors--either in a traditional way or a whimsical way, like the little boy pictured above.
3. Watch a parade. Almost every town hosts some kind of Canada Day parade. The largest are in Ottawa, at Parliament Hill and in Toronto.
4. View fireworks. Fireworks are another common way of celebrating Canada Day. These lavish displays are usually held at dusk on July 1. In Windsor, across the river from Detroit, the two cities combine to celebrate the International Freedom Festival, which spans from Canada Day to the American Independence Day (July 4th).
5. Have a feast. Food is an integral part of any Canada Day celebration. Family cookouts, picnics and pancake breakfasts are popular ways of celebrating.

I hope that helps. Good luck and have a great Canada Day Celebration,
Diane
SC Johnson