Under sunny skies and surrounded by a sea of red-and-white flags, families from across the region gathered at Parc Central on July 1 to celebrate Canada Day with a full slate of entertainment, community activities, local businesses and live music, including a headline performance by Quebec rock singer Rosa Laricchiuta. The annual event once again transformed the heart of Deux-Montagnes into a vibrant gathering place where residents of all ages came together to celebrate both their country and their community.
From the moment festivities began, the grounds were filled with activity. Children darted from one attraction to the next while parents settled into lawn chairs, caught up with neighbours and made their way through the various attractions spread throughout the park. The celebration featured something for everyone, from family-friendly activities and entertainment to shopping opportunities and musical performances that continued throughout the day.
One of the most eye-catching attractions on site was a massive inflatable bouncy castle shaped like a giant football player. Standing high above the festival grounds, the colourful inflatable quickly became one of the day’s biggest hits, drawing a constant stream of excited children eager to climb, jump and play.
Fun for the whole family
For 36-year-old Isabelle St-Croix, a lifelong Deux-Montagnes resident, seeing children enjoy themselves is part of what makes the annual celebration so special.
“My family and I have been coming here for years,” she said while watching her children explore the grounds. “It’s super fun.”
St-Croix said the event offers the perfect way to kick off summer while spending quality time with family and friends.
“There are millions of things to do, from the bouncy house, the music, the pool – we just love it,” she said.
The atmosphere throughout the afternoon reflected those sentiments. Families moved freely between activities while music echoed across the park. Everywhere one looked, children were laughing, running and enjoying the wide variety of attractions available.
If there was one area of the festival that rivaled the popularity of the giant inflatable football player, it was the face-painting station.
Throughout much of the day, families lined up patiently for the opportunity to have their children transformed into superheroes, animals, princesses and colourful fantasy characters. At several points during the afternoon, an estimated 50 to 75 people could be seen either standing in line or gathered nearby watching the artists work.
Among the eager youngsters waiting their turn was St-Croix’s eldest daughter, Charlotte.
“My oldest daughter, Charlotte, loves to get her face painted,” said St-Croix. “She was whining all week to get the chance to do it.”
The face-painting area became one of the unofficial gathering spots of the festival. Parents exchanged stories while waiting in line, children showed off their designs, and photographers captured countless smiles as freshly painted youngsters ran off to enjoy the rest of the day’s activities.
Beyond the attractions geared toward children, visitors also spent considerable time exploring a vendor lane featuring local businesses, artisans and community organizations. The market-style corridor allowed attendees to browse a diverse selection of products while supporting entrepreneurs from the region.
Handcrafted items, specialty goods and unique local products lined the route, attracting a steady flow of visitors throughout the day. Many attendees stopped to chat with vendors, learn more about local businesses and take-home souvenirs from the celebration.
For St-Croix, supporting local vendors is one of the highlights of the annual event.
“I love supporting these local artists and vendors,” she said. “You can’t get stuff like this anywhere.”
The marketplace contributed to the community-oriented atmosphere that defined the celebration from beginning to end. Rather than simply serving as a venue for activities, the event created opportunities for residents to connect with local businesses and organizations that play an important role in the region.
Patriotism on full display
The celebration also attracted the attention of local political leaders. Member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles Linda Lapointe could be seen throughout the afternoon greeting residents, shaking hands and stopping to chat with families.
Moving comfortably through the crowds, Lapointe spent time speaking with constituents and participating in the festivities alongside local residents. According to attendees, the MP repeatedly expressed how proud she was to be at the event and how much she loves Canada.
Her presence reinforced what many participants described as one of the central themes of the day: pride in both country and community.
That patriotic sentiment was certainly shared by St-Croix.
“I am deeply grateful to be Canadian, and incredibly proud to call this country home,” she said. “My greatest hope is that my children will share that same sense of pride and carry it forward for generations to come.”
Throughout the park, that pride was easy to see. Canadian flags adorned strollers, bicycles and backpacks. Children wore Canada-themed clothing while others had red-and-white maple leaves painted on their faces. When residents gathered to recognize Canada’s birthday, there was a clear sense that the celebration meant more than just another summer event.
Yet for many attendees, the day was equally about strengthening the social bonds that make a community thrive.
“You know, we’re a small town here in Deux-Montagnes,” said St-Croix. “It’s important for us to come together, laugh, have fun, and be community oriented.”
The sense of togetherness was evident everywhere. Neighbours stopped to talk with one another; volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes and local organizations contributed to the festive atmosphere. There was a feeling that everyone present was helping create something larger than themselves.
First-timers always welcomed
Among those experiencing the event for the first time was Clovis Fortin of Baie-du-Lac.
“This is my first time coming to the Canada Day celebration and it’s a blast,” said Clovis Fortin.
Although many attractions were clearly designed with children in mind, Fortin said he was pleasantly surprised by how much there was for adults to enjoy.
“I don’t have any kids but it’s still fun to go out with my wife and enjoy the festivities.”
As afternoon turned into evening, attention increasingly shifted toward the main stage.
Live music had been entertaining festival-goers throughout the day, but many visitors were eagerly awaiting the night’s featured performer: Rosa Laricchiuta. The powerful vocalist, known throughout Quebec for her dynamic performances and memorable appearance on La Voix, generated considerable excitement among attendees long before she stepped on stage.
Fortin was among those looking forward to the performance.
“I was actually really excited to see Rosa Laricchiuta perform,” he said. “She was one of my favourites on La Voix.”
When her performance finally began, Laricchiuta delivered exactly the kind of high-energy show fans had hoped for. Her powerful vocals quickly drew spectators closer to the stage, creating one of the day’s largest crowds and turning the celebration into what felt like a major outdoor concert.
The enthusiastic response from the audience demonstrated why Laricchiuta was selected as the event’s headliner. Throughout her performance, spectators sang along, danced and cheered, helping create a memorable conclusion to an already successful day.
Watching the activities unfold also brought back memories for Fortin.
Reflecting on interactions with first responders during his childhood, he spoke about the lasting impact community events can have on young people.
“When I was young, a fire truck and a police car visited my school,” he recalled. “The officers gave us a demonstration and showed us their vehicles, while the firefighters even let us try on some of their gear. It was an unforgettable experience, and for the longest time I dreamed of becoming a police officer because it inspired me so much.”
As darkness approached, families began gathering across the park in anticipation of the evening’s finale. Children made one final visit to their favourite attractions while parents settled in to enjoy the final moments of the celebration.
For St-Croix, the event’s enduring popularity is no mystery.
“This is one of the best events on the North Shore,” she said. “To celebrate our beautiful country, with our family and friends – honestly what’s better than that?”
