Bury’s Main Street was bustling with residents and visitors on the occasion of the traditional Canada Day parade. Over the years, the event has been organized by the Bury Athletic Association and includes a long list of activities, beginning the day before in Memorial Park.

The festivities began Friday evening in Memorial Park with a singers’ competition followed by an evening of dance. On Saturday, the day-long activities were kicked off by a pancake breakfast and a fishing tournament. The grand parade at noon attracted hundreds of people along the length of Main Street. The parade featured horses, antique cars and floats. Candies were thrown to children who watched the procession from the sides of the parade route.

Linda Thompson was accompanied by her sister and their mother for the occasion. «We come almost every year,» she said. Her sister recalled having been in the parade as a majorette when she was a child, near the end of the 60s.

After the parade, the onlookers were able to choose from among a variety of attractions. Inside the Armoury Community Centre, some 10 exhibitors showed their creations of needlework, jewellry and honey. At the back of the hall was another tradition of the Canada Day festivities in Bury, feasting upon strawberry shortcake. This is the principal fundraiser of the Bury Historical and Heritage Society. Alain Villemure, former treasurer of the Society, said that the recipe dates back the 1940s when it was used by the Saint Paul’s Anglican Church, situated nearby. He also said the Bury festivities are the oldest continuous Canada Day celebrations in Canada, festivities in other places having been interrupted during wartime.
A little further down Main Street, the Saint Raphaël Church opened its doors to passersby. This place of worship recently set up an exhibition of a number of artefacts found in its vaults. A video presentation was also mounted in preparation for the Route des Églises.

Alongside the main artery, Memorial Park was converted into a gathering place. There, were a mini-farm and inflatable games for the children. A stage was installed under a tent for two musical performances during the evening. And the day closed with fireworks.