Celebrating Canada Day in St. John's takes on more significance due to tension with U.S.
Crowds gathered in Signal Hill for sunrise ceremony on Tuesday
For some people celebrating Canada Day in St. John's, the annual festivities has taken on a new significance in the face of threats from the country's southern border.
Crowds wearing red and white gathered at the top of Signal Hill, a national historic site that overlooks the St. John's harbour, for a sunrise ceremony though a thick blanket of fog blocked the view of the sun.
Sharon Hart, decked out in Canada themed clothing, said she's been regularly celebrating at Signal Hill for 40 years and it gives her a feeling of connection.
"It's just so nice to come and see everybody," she told CBC News.
This Canada Day comes after months of U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing rhetoric suggesting that Canada should become a state, and even mused about using "economic force" to make it happen.
It's something Hart said she tries not to dwell on.
"He really, really rubs me the wrong way," said Hart. "He's not going to make us the 51st, no way."
Hart said the current political tension makes it more important to get out on Canada Day and wear the red and white colours. Hart said her house is also decked out to celebrate the day with flags and balloons.
Carolyn Windsor currently lives in Walkerton, Ontario, but is originally from Newfoundland. She said she made the trip home for the holiday and brought some Ontario friends with her.
She said this Canada Day feels different given Trump's repeated rhetoric about Canada becoming the 51st state.
"We're very blessed to be in Canada," Windsor said.
While in the shuttle that took them up Signal Hill, she said they were singing the national anthem.
"We are an amazing province and an amazing country and this year in particular just means an extra whole bit of love for Canada," said Windsor.
John Shewchuk, who is visiting with his relatives who grew up in N.L., said he's glad to be back visiting for the occasion, adding that given the current political situation, he said it's special to be here.
"With the tensions between Canada and the United States, we're still best friends. But we also need to show that we are a country, strong and free," he said.
Pritaam Some, a graduate student at Memorial University said he made the trip from India to the province three years ago.
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He said he attended the sunrise ceremony for a number of reasons, including the city's unique geographical location as an eastern point in North America. But it was also political, he said.
"Given what's going on with our big southern neighbour I think it's important to show our support as a team — for team Canada," said Some.
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With files from Peter Cowan