Canada Day 2018

Solece Lopez, Summer Assistant to the Vice President, detailed her trip to Canada Day with Phoenix Sister Cities:

The Phoenix Sister Cities Calgary Committee hosted their Canada Day event on Sunday, July 1st, 2018, at the Musical Instrument Museum. Canadians and supporters from all around the valley were brought to the MIM Sunday afternoon with the promise of Canadian themed museum tours, a group gathering to sing O Canada, and a special Canadian themed menu at Café Allegro featuring poutine, butter tarts, and complimentary maple leaf cookies, courtesy of Solar Pool Technologies Inc.

By 1:00, the entrance leading into the museum’s exhibits was full of people of all ages showing their Canadian pride with red and white maple leaf covered apparel, many bringing their own Canadian flags in hand. Each guest was greeted by the Calgary Sister City Committee welcome booth.

The Calgary Committee booth with John Rice (left) and Aron Charad (right)

Here, guests mingled with committee members and learned more about the mission of Calgary Committee and the events they participate in and host throughout the year. Representatives from the Arizona Coyotes set up their booth next to the Calgary Committee, giving visitors the chance to win tickets to a Coyotes game. At 1:30, patrons congregated around a museum guide to enjoy the first of two Canadian-themed museum tours planned for the day.

Representatives from the Arizona Coyotes staffed a booth at the event

An official proclamation from Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams was presented to the patrons, officially proclaiming Sunday, July 1st, 2018, as a Day of Solidarity and Friendship between Canada and the United States of America. Next, a few short words of wisdom were delivered by Glenn Williamson, Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona, and John Rice, Chair of the Calgary Sister Cities Committee. Each spoke of their appreciation for the robust relationship between Canada and the United States: A relationship founded on a set of shared values and continuously held together by a common vision of which direction the world should go. Both speakers emphasized the importance of maintaining this alliance through economic opportunities, business partnerships, and cultural and educational exchange.

John Rice (left) and Honorary Consul of Canada for Arizona Glenn Williamson (right) delivering their words of appreciation for the relationship between Canada and the United States

It was at that point that the audience gathered around the grand piano on the first floor of the Musical Instrument Museum to sing the national anthem of Canada, guided by David Armstrong and Mark Greenawalt. The group’s anthem echoed through the museum in a moment of gratitude to one of our most valued allies. To some, Canada’s a homeland. To others, Canada remains a home away from home.

David Armstrong (vocals) and Mark Greenawalt (piano) providing patrons of the museum entertainment throughout the afternoon

To us all, Canada’s our beloved northern neighbor.

“The City of Phoenix is proud of our 21-year relationship with our Sister City, Calgary, Alberta. The relationship between the citizens of Phoenix and the citizens of Calgary is based on mutual cooperation and respect. The City of Phoenix looks to continue this close partnership for years to come through trade, commerce, education, and research.” -Mayor Thelda Williams

Many showed their Canadian pride with red and white maple leaf apparel and Canadian flags

The Calgary Committee did a wonderful job hosting their Canada Day event, bringing together people of all backgrounds for an afternoon of celebration at one of Phoenix’s most treasured cultural centers. This was a great opportunity to make friends with individuals from all around the valley, many of whom expressed their interest in contributing to the great work the Calgary Committee does throughout the year. The Canada Day celebration served as a reminder that some of the most valuable work that can be done to strengthen ties between nations begins with people-to-people relationships.

Special thanks to Mayor Thelda Williams for her continuous support, the Honorable Glenn Williamson for his representation and dedication to promoting the relationship between the United States and Canada, Ida Jones of the Musical Instrument Museum and the Calgary Committee for their planning of this event, Aron Charad for volunteering to work the Calgary booth, the Arizona Coyotes for their support at the event, and Mark Greenawalt and David Armstrong for generously volunteering their time to play the piano and sing throughout the afternoon. Lastly, I would like to recognize outgoing Chairman John Rice of the Calgary Committee, and incoming Chairman Bob Albert for their endless commitment to the Calgary Committee and to
strengthening the bond between Phoenix and Calgary.