Hot News: Canada Day 2014: July 1 celebrations across the country

Huge fireworks displays in Charlottetown, Ottawa and Halifax closed out Canada Day celebrations that saw Canadians across the country take the day to enjoy their home and native land.

In the nation's capital, a brief downpour didn't stop revellers from watching fireworks explode over the Ottawa River near Parliament Hill.

But Ottawa's fireworks weren't the biggest in Canada this year, as Charlottetown put on a fantastic 12-minute show, with an estimated 10,000 fireworks bursting in the night sky. You can see video of the fireworks above.

Earlier in the day, thousands of flag-waving revellers clad in red and white descended upon Parliament Hill to take part in the patriotic party. Prime Minister Stephen Harper also made an appearance and gave a Canada Day speech.

'I think the country's best days are ahead of it,' Harper told CBC's Rosemary Barton after greeting a number of people attending the Parliament Hill events. 'I think we look around, it's a troubled world, and I hope Canada will continue to be looked at in the future as a model.'

The celebrations also included an appearance by Clara Hughes, the beloved Olympic medallist in cycling and speedskating, who has been cycling across Canada to raise awareness of mental health.

​Hughes was greeted with cheers as she rode onto the Parliament Hill stage during the Canada Day festivities, officially ending her long bicycle ride. Hughes has cycled more than 11,000 kilometres, passing through all 10 provinces and three territories since she kicked off her ride almost four months ago.

A presentation by the Canadian Armed Forces of photos from the last 100 days of the mission in Afghanistan, the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the Second World War were also highlighted at the Ottawa event.

Gov. Gen. David Johnston delivered a Canada Day message in which he stressed that Canada will have an even bigger birthday to celebrate in a mere three years, when it turns 150.

'Now is the time to decide who we want to be on that auspicious day,' Johnston said. 'Will we be a compassionate nation? Will we look beyond our borders to create a better world? Will our country set the global bar for kindness and caring, or will the bar be set for us?' Floods didn't dampen Prairie celebrations

Despite the torrential rain that has capitals in those regions still managed to hold most of their Canada Day events. flooded dozens of communities in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the provincial Rain didn't stop 2,500 people from forming a massive human Canadian flag in downtown Winnipeg, where people gathered at The Forks historic site to stand shoulder to shoulder wearing red and white shirts.

In Toronto, celebrations culminated in a fireworks show at Mel Lastman Square that was created by Circus Orange and choreographed to Canadian music.

Rob Ford, the city's controversial mayor, was jeered and cheered as he joined a parade in Toronto's East York district.

Montreal celebrated Canada Day with a parade of revellers, as well as a parade of moving trucks. Each year, hundreds of city residents are moving as July 1 is typically the day most leases in Quebec begin and end. Maritimes get musical

P.E.I.'s celebrations also featured performances by Juno Award-winners Tegan and Sara, Classified and the Barenaked Ladies.

Musical acts were also a key part of Canada Day celebrations in Halifax, where Alderney Landing, on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, hosted its annual free concert, which this year included the Sam Roberts Band.

In Newfoundland, Canada Day marked the end of a 900-kilometre fundraising run by a team of 16 sailors from HMCS St. John's who crossed the island via the Trans-Canada Highway. The team's emotional finish in St. John's was just one of several Canada Day celebrations taking place in the city. There was also an annual ceremony at the downtown war memorial. Well wishes from abroad

Canada's birthday wasn't just celebrated at home this year. In Rio de Janeiro, the city's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up red and white amid an eerie fog that settled on the city Tuesday night.

And our neighbours and allies to the south also paid tribute by illuminating New York City's Empire State building red and white.

To our neighbors up north, we're wishing you a happy Canada Day with tower lights in red & white tonight! #CanadaDay pic.twitter.com/LDJ0iFq0jS- Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) July 1, 2014

[ View the story 'Canada Day 2014: Canadians celebrate country's 147th birthday' on Storify]

Storified by CBC News Community · Tue, Jul 01 2014 20:26:46

Great mix on the CBC Music App for this lovely Canada Day! #canadaday2014 #Cbciscanada http://t.co/WKg4sTa9jRStephen Tizzard

Canada Day 2014: July 1 celebrations across the countrySerena Ryder and the Sam Roberts Band are among the homegrown performers marking Canada Day, as flag-waving celebrants don red and white to mark the country's 147th birthday today. Evan Solomon is hosting a CBC News Canada Day special on CBC News Network and on CBCNews.ca.

Happy Canada Day!!!!! @ Parliament Hill http://t.co/TYap3TQkpxmegs

Canada Day - Canada Day in the CapitalHome This is the home page

A shot as we get ready #canadaday celebrations on Parl Hill. Getting ready for the show. Come join us http://t.co/sBmnISNhg9Evan Solomon

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife attended the Parliament Hill festivities.

From our family to yours, Happy Canada Day everyone! #CanadaDayCap http://t.co/MX6ocQ76P6Laureen Harper

I CAN NEVER TOP THIS MOMENT @pmharper @CDNOlympicTeam #CanadaDay http://t.co/y7BOGlP9bhAnastasia Bucsis

Watched the CBC live coverage of the Canada Day festival just this morning! #cbc #CanadaDay2014 I saw the Prime Minister!Gregory Desrosiers

Canada day in the capital #canada #ottawa #summer #1stofjulyAlexandra Godin

God bless you all, and God keep our true north, strong and free! #cdnpoli #CanadaDay http://t.co/rCjKpz5lIKStephen Harper

But not all Canadians spent the day in Ottawa and celebrations were held across the country.

Aaaaaaand it's the lumberjack show #CanadaDay2014 @CanadaPlace #CBC http://t.co/GoP17ZlnAAMaryse Zeidler

Gotta love a sunny Canada Day out by the beach. @ Vancouver's Giant laughing statues http://t.co/BKF5BlFxF7Erin

I'm covering #CanadaDay2014 for #CBC today. First stop: @granville_isle http://t.co/fN5nxrkHHEMaryse Zeidler

Happy Canada Day!!!! #beachday #winning #lovevancouver http://t.co/cy6KQV2I6GEmma Kitchen

On the other side of the country, Newfoundland's premier handed out cupcakes to young revellers.

On the left coast @PremierOfNL @granterhw @Gerry_Byrne & @charlespendercb giving out cupcakes on Canada Day #cbcnl http://t.co/JxcSVbHlPwJeremy Eaton

Some people celebrated by becoming Canadian citizens.

Every year they send me out to do the citizenship story on Canada Day and every year it makes me cry. #cbc http://t.co/aTuKxm8jnj Deborah Goble

Becoming a new Canadian on Canada day #cbc http://t.co/3o0iLOCirm Deborah Goble

Others opted to take in a baseball game on the warm summer day.

First Jay's game ever! And it's on Canada day! #whatismoreCanadian? #oneoftheboys #gojaysgo http://t.co/uCbdCYAsrZLea Thoman

Happy Canada Day everyone. Great day of #CanadaJays baseball at the dome! http://t.co/dthFmuBZrYjai

From the 1st base side at #NatBailey, a great way to spend Canada Day with @vancanadians baseball http://t.co/Je3k4rhzCpKaren Hamberg

And some relaxed in cottage country.

Thousand Islands cottaging + Ontario craft beer = Canada Day done right #craftbeer #canadaday... http://t.co/XICJxFmjfSChelsea Connolly How are you spending Canada Day? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Canada Day! http://t.co/bDvY9yPiznMelissa Zettler

With files from The Canadian Press

Post By http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-day-2014-july-1-celebrations-across-the-country-1.2692931