By Jon Hiltz
May 24th is the starting point where winter and cold have gasped their last frosty breath, which to most of us in the Great White North is a fantastic reason to celebrate.
On the official books, this fireworks-adorned statutory holiday is to acknowledge Queen Victoria’s Birthday, which is actually on May 24 but celebrated on the last Monday before May 25. During this time, most Canadians enjoy a three-day weekend, which is always an excuse for the country to party. That means oceans of beer, gorgeous displays of colour exploding overhead and so much pot that it will give the US a contact high.
So for all you Canadians across this great land of ours and for you tourists who we welcome with open arms, here are some celebrations that could be HIGHLY enjoyable if you catch our drift.
This display of fireworks is considered the “go to” activity for Torontonians all over the City. It’s big, it’s loud, it’s fourteen minutes long, and it’s spectacular.
There are simply no words for the experience of smoking some bud and riding roller-coasters for a few hours while stuffed with funnel cakes and ice cream. Follow that with a stellar fireworks display on the night of Sunday the 22nd and this will be the bar that is set for all other nights out moving forward.
What do tattoos have to do with Victoria Day? Absolutely nothing, unless the Queen happened to hide some secret tats. Having said that if you are in Halifax this holiday weekend, this festival is a must-see simply because of its incredible uniqueness. There are tattoo seminars, meets with well-known artists who show you their best designs and lots of competitions for the best tattoo. Most of all, it’s a spectacle that is only more interesting after a hit of some quality herb.
No, this is not a festival for S&M enthusiasts but more of a ‘kickoff to summer’ celebration in the town of St. Andrews New Brunswick. The town-wide festival continues for a few more days music, food, drink and of course kayak and canoe excursions. It’s so ripe with Canadian stereotypes that it puts Dudley Do-Right to shame.
Experience a Flintstone-like existence for a day as you tool around Alberta’s incredible Dinosaur Park. Victoria Day weekend is the start to their summer season and many flock to this UNESCO site which is one of the richest deposits of dinosaur fossils in the world, making it the perfect spot for a Victoria Day geekfest.
Island Farms Victoria Day Parade
If parades are your thing, you would be remiss to miss this. The massive Victoria Day Parade in Victoria British Columbia couldn’t have a more aptly named. It’s been happening for 118 years, and anything that has been around that long has got to be something special.
A traditional celebratory activity is driving from neighborhood to neighborhood looking at the plethora of fireworks set off by families and crazy drunks everywhere. So spark up the good stuff, call your friends at Uber, and take a nice long ride through the suburbs with some buds.
Wherever you spend your Victoria Day festivities, enjoy yourself and smoke some quality bud. It will be the last time you do it under the shadow of the law.
Happy May Two-Four!
