WCSA Hosts 2025 Canada Day Celebration: Tens of Thousands Gather to Celebrate Multicultural Canada
On July 1, 2025, the Canada Day celebration hosted by the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association (WCSA) was held as scheduled at Bridgwater Lakes Park. With clear skies, fluttering flags, and bustling crowds, the event was full of festive energy. The celebration drew over 3,000 families and more than 10,000 residents, making it one of the largest, most cohesive, and most popular community festivals in Winnipeg.
Federal MP Terry Duguid, Premier Wab Kinew, provincial MLAs David Pankratz, Obby Khan, Carrie Hiebert, Mayor Scott Gillingham, Deputy Mayors Janice Lukes and Markus Chambers, along with several community leaders, were all in attendance. They enthusiastically beat the drums to kick off the Drum Music Festival, joined the WCSA president in cutting the Canada Day cake symbolizing happiness and joy, and mingled with the crowd to chat with residents and thank volunteers—leaving behind vivid images of celebrating alongside the people with warmth and sincerity.
The celebration began with a solemn ceremony: a blessing from an Indigenous elder, the national anthem led by President Yan Jiang, and a grand entrance featuring six Canada Day Ambassadors escorting a giant Canadian flag. Stirring melodies filled the park, instantly igniting the festive spirit. The stage performances were vibrant and exciting, with one highlight after another: traditional Chinese dragon and lion dances, tai chi, folk orchestras, qipao fashion shows, and ethnic dances showcased the grace of Eastern culture. At the same time, performers from Indigenous, Peruvian, Iranian, African, and South Asian communities delivered captivating music and dance presentations—offering heartfelt tributes to this diverse land. The event was not only a festive celebration but also a grand cultural showcase and a powerful display of community unity.
The event was rich in content and brimming with highlights: free Canada Day cake, Slurpees, face painting, balloon art, inflatable castles, and fun toys like bamboo dragonflies delighted children and filled the park with joyful laughter. WCSA volunteers warmly handed out small Canadian flags and Canada Day sticker tattoos, the bright red maple leaf shining on smiling faces and arms of all colors. Canadian flags, Indigenous banners, and Chinese dragon flags flew proudly throughout the park, painting a beautiful and festive multicultural scene.
The park's fountain plaza became another hub of celebration, with food and merchandise stalls lining the radiating stone paths. Residents from diverse backgrounds showcased their ethnic cuisines and handicrafts. The organizers also designed a special Event Passport raffle game, which featured exciting prizes and interactive fun. Nearly 2,000 visitors participated, collecting stamps from sponsor booths as they explored the grounds.
To ensure easy access for attendees, the event offered free shuttle buses and a bike valet service. Visitors poured in from all directions, and the site buzzed with laughter and lively conversations. It was the heartfelt participation of every citizen that made Canada Day feel more honorable and inclusive; it was the love and dedication of WCSA and more than 200 volunteers that made this homeland even more beautiful and inspiring.
