BARRY’S BAY – It was a different Canada Day for many in the nation this year, as many municipalities in the country, including the nation’s capital, chose to forgo public events like fireworks out of concern for the COVID virus.
And yet the spirit was electric, joyful and patriotic as fireworks erupted all along the Kamaniskeg shoreline in Barry’s Bay, and many other places, to the delight of children and the terror of dogs, as private citizens stepped in where the government feared to tread.
Visitors and expates flooded into the town on Monday to begin a week of celebration, swelling local roads, gas stations, groceries stores, and other venues. Owners of stores and restaurants must finally be breathing sighs of relief after a horrible spring, loans, and fears that the summer would not see a return of visitors who are vital for the local economy.
The sweltering heat was back at midweek, but seemed not to stifle the enthusiasm of shoppers who were out in droves at Afelskie’s tent sale, to Mad Outdoors, Madawaska Coffee, Tim Horton’s and many other stores.
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