Whomever decided that most Canadian provinces should have the first weekend in August as a civic holiday was brilliant. Actually Wikpedia says that the celebration is linked to "the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834". Here in British Columbia, Monday is called BC Day. During this time of the year, a high-pressure system often develops over us, ensuring fine weather. That luxury doesn't seem assured in 2011, but the weather is perfect at the moment!
There are two traditional, Vancouver events which occur over this weekend. An annual fireworks competition begins tonight with ten of thousands going to see how China can dazzle us. There's a slight risk of rain though. Also, the Vancouver Pride Parade will be held after early-morning showers are over tomorrow. This is the sixth Pride Weekend (out of 33) which has taken place with gay marriage legal and firmly-entrenched across our whole country. "Coast to coast to coast," Canadians sometimes say. This seems to be yet another example of rights and freedoms which, unfortunately, are not available to citizens in a majority of places in the world.