The Rocca Sisters Blog

What’s Canada Day? How did it start? Why do we celebrate? What should you do? The Rocca Sisters have you covered!

History of Canada Day 

On July 1st, 1867, the British North America Act created Canada, and by the following year, a proclamation was signed to request that all Her Majesty’s subjects across Canada celebrate July 1st as the birthday of Canada. Eleven years later in 1879 July became a statutory holiday called Dominion Day. It wasn’t until 1982 that Dominion Day became known as Canada Day.

Why we are proud to be Canadian

The name “Canada” comes from the Huron-Iroquois language and means settlement or village. For us, this holds a great deal of meaning. Our family, like many in our community, are first-generation Canadians. Our father was born in Italy and came to settle in Canada when he was only 15 years old in search of a better life, and this is where our story begins.

Embracing the opportunity this free life gave him, our father started in the development side of the business which launched our family into real estate in the early 1950s, making a lasting imprint on Atlantic Maritime provinces that is still felt today. He is remembered by his community at Park Vonio, Italy.

Our family has enjoyed over a quarter of a century of growth in construction and real estate development. This has instilled in us the value of hard work and the importance of a hands-on business approach. We pride ourselves in being aligned with Royal LePage a strongly recognized Canadian brand. Our Rocca Sisters Team is rich in diversity with backgrounds from all over the world. We are thankful for the opportunity Canada has given us all and continues to give us, and we are proud to be Canadian, where the opportunities are endless and the cultural diversity is empowering.

Things to do 

Burlington:

Bring your national pride to celebrate Canada Day and enjoy Canadian-inspired fun all day at Spencer Smith Park!  Free events including a main stage with live performances, activities for the kids, all culminating in a spectacular firework show starting at 10:00 pm. The day also includes a Citizenship Ceremony at 1:00 pm where new Canadians take the final legal step to becoming citizens by taking their Citizen Oath.

Hamilton:

Hamilton has a whole host of activities celebrating Canada! If military history is your thing, there is a free musical celebration at Dundurn Park at 5:00pm, featuring the Regimental Band of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums. You can also visit the military museum H.M.C.S. Haida, Canada’s most decorated warship, which hosts a noon gun firing, followed by refreshments. Admission is under $4.00 for adults and under $2.00 for children.

At Bayfront and Pier 4 Parks you can enjoy a free all-day event featuring live entertainment, food vendors, Family Zone, artisanal craft vendors and an epic fireworks display at 10:00pm. Events begin at 12:00pm.

Meanwhile, Gage Park is celebrating the 50th anniversary of It’s Your Festival, which offers fantastic live music, vendors, contests, beer garden, pony rides, foods of the world, and Canada’s Biggest Birthday Cake! Admission is free and the Festival is open from noon to 11:00 pm daily from June 29th to July 1st.

Waterdown:

Waterdown Memorial Park is hosting the 10th annual Oh Canada Ribfest, which runs from June 28 to July 1 and features a variety of ribbers, a marketplace, family fun zone, live musical entertainment, performances, a midway and more!

Oakville:
Canada Day celebrations starting at 6:00pm at Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park, where there will be family activities, music and food trucks. Fireworks begin at 10:00pm. The Town of Oakville will be providing a pay-one-way Oakville Transit shuttle to and from Bronte GO station to Oakville’s Canada Day celebration at Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park.

This Canada Day we hope that you will reflect on what makes you proud to be Canadian and we wish you, your family and your friends great memories and a safe holiday!

From our family to yours, Happy Canada Day!