Participate!

Indeed, Canada will have cause to commemorate and celebrate many important anniversaries and events over the next 5 years, including Canada's welcome to the world as we host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver/Whistler. A partial list is included here in order to spark interest and perhaps even encourage young Canadians to become more actively involved in celebrating their pride in being Canadian in ways that are most meaningful to them in the communities where they live.

Here are some suggested activities in which all members of the community can participate. 

• Invite your community newspapers or television and local cable stations to cover your event so that your friends and neighbours can see how you celebrate on Flag Day. The media can promote awareness and community spirit, call attention to your upcoming special event and help to showcase your achievements.

• Get in touch with the management of your local shopping mall and ask that the flag be prominently displayed throughout the mall in the week leading up to February 15 as well as copies of the National Flag of Canada Day poster. Your Boy Scout or Girl Guide troop, or any other organization you may be part of, can take part in a poetry-writing or poster design contest that focuses on the flag and have the entries exhibited in the mall.

• Combine your celebration of the flag's birthday with a celebration of the Canadian winter season. Wave your flag at your community's winter festival, have your coach hand out Canada flag pins to your hockey team, organize a snow-sculpting party in your local park around a maple leaf theme.

• Ask your municipal officials to designate February 15 as National Flag of Canada Day in your community. Perhaps they could even host an event, such as a flag raising ceremony, on Flag Day or on the Friday before.

Flag Day Initiatives