The Deux-Montagnes Canada Day Committee and the City of Deux-Montagnes invite all citizens as well as those of our surrounding communities to come and celebrate Canada Day on Tuesday, July 1^st.  This is the 43^rd edition of the event in Deux-Montagnes.

This year’s celebration will start with a parade which will leave Veterans Hall (Legion) at 11:45 AM and stop at City Hall for the singing of O’ Canada at noon.  The Parade will then continue on to Central Park (13^th Ave., just south of Oka Road), where the opening ceremony will be held (12:45 PM).  Live music will fill the air for most of the day.  There will be children’s races, inflatable games, a horseshoe tournament, bingo, and lots of other games and activities for the kids and adults alike.  Throughout the day, live bands will play right up to midnight.  And of course, our spectacular fireworks display will be set off at 10:15 PM in front of thousands of people at Central Park. (The full schedule of the day is listed below).

There are several exciting announcements associated with this year’s celebrations:

• With the Committee’s and the City’s desire for this day to become one of the premier annual events of the summer in the Lower Laurentians, and given this event is the only Canada Day celebrations in the area, the MRC Deux-Montagnes has officially recognized the Deux-Montagnes Canada Day Celebrations as a regional event for all of the citizens of the seven communities: Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-lac, Pointe-Calumet, Saint-Joseph-du-lac, Oka and Saint-Placide.
• Three primary sponsors have been brought on for the event, including our partner, the City of Deux-Montagnes, as well as Heritage Canada and now for the first time, Caisse Desjardins de Saint-Eustache/Deux-Montagnes.
• Zus Price, a long-time resident and community volunteer in Deux-Montagnes, has been named the Parade Marshall for the 2014 celebrations.  Mrs. Price was born in Holland in 1923 and came to Canada in 1946.  Arriving in Deux-Montagnes in the early 50’s, Mrs. Price has been running a badminton league since the late 60s, keeping many generations of DM residents fit and healthy.  At age 90, Mrs. Price continues to run the league, while also volunteering with “Meals on Wheels”, an organization dedicated to delivering meals to seniors who are struggling to maintain their independence.  Though she continues to drive, Mrs. Price can be often seen riding around town on her bicycle, with her dog in her basket.
• Back for the 2^nd year in a row, this year’s headlining band is John McGale Blues Force, with special guest Jimmy James. Guitarist John McGale is a long-time veteran of the Quebec music scene, performing with such outstanding acts as: Offenbach, The Buzz Band (Featuring Jerry Mercer of April Wine), Julie Masse, and Dan Bigras, to name but a few.  His Blues Force « power trio » captures the spirit of Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Stevie Ray Vaughan et ZZ Top.  Virtuoso guitarist Jimmy James is an icon of the blues scene in Quebec, plays a soulful blend of musical styles. Jimmy James’ impressive resume includes collaborating with the likes of Jeff Healey, Frank Marino, King Crimson and Vanilla Fudge as well as shows and recordings with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lonnie Mack, David Bowie, David Lindley, Steve Vai, Michel Pagliaro, and Nanette Workman.
• In addition to the vast number of dedicated volunteers that are needed and required to put on the day, community groups such as the Deux-Montagnes Lions Club, the Royal Canadian Legion (Branches 185 and 216),  Maison des Jeunes Deux-Montagnes, the Deux-Montagnes Navy League Cadet Corp Unit 107 and Judosphere will also be participating.

Dave Byers, the President of the Canada Day Committee says, “With the regional recognition of the event, we are very excited and pleased with the growth of this day.  I must take this opportunity to thanks our wonderful group of volunteers as well as all of our sponsors, including our partner, the City of Deux-Montagnes, as well as primary sponsors – Heritage Canada, and Caisse Desjardins Saint-Eustache/Deux-Montagnes.”

Denis Martin, Mayor of Deux-Montagnes adds, “The City of Deux-Montagnes is a proud partner of the Canada Day celebrations in Deux-Montagnes.  Our community is vibrant, and this marquee event in the Lower Laurentians is a product of a great group of community volunteers who put on a fantastic day for our citizens and visitors alike.  Our community’s commitment to volunteerism is exemplified by the Committee’s selection for their Parade Marshall in Mrs. Zeus Price.  Congratulations Mrs. Price!”

Neil Hawthorn, Director General of the Caisse Desjardins Saint-Eustache/Deux-Montagnes says: “Our Caisse Desjardins branch has been a long standing contributor to the Deux-Montagnes community.  This new sponsorship is a natural extension of our commitment to our customers and to the communities we serve. We congratulate the organizers and wish them great success with the day.”