Hundreds of people – including 50 newly minted citizens – celebrated Canada’s 150th birthday in Fort Langley on Saturday.
Citizenship Judge Gerald Pash led 50 people from 33 countries through the oath of citizenship, the final step to becoming a Canadian.
The new Canadians were accompanied by friends and family who snapped photos and took video on their phones of the big moment.
After applause – and cake – the new citizens headed out to join the large crowds celebrating inside the Fort Langley National Historic Site and beyond.
The biggest events in the Fort were taking place around the Langley Centennial Museum and the B.C. Farm Museum.
Stilt walkers, clowns, a petting zoo, live entertainment including dancers and musicians, and a fast draw shooting demonstration were held along with old-time traditional events like potato sack races.
New Canadians took the oath of citizenship. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)New Canadians took the oath of citizenship. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Kwantlen First Nation Chief Marilyn Gabriel spoke at the swearing in ceremony for 50 new Canadians. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Kunda African Culture, Music, and Dance performed. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Kunda African Culture, Music, and Dance performed. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Everyone wanted to get their photo taken next to the artillery piece. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Darren Kostinuk, a former Royal Canadian Artillery bombardier, showed Langley RCMP officer Sandagar Teja an M109A4 self propelled artillery piece. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Five year old Bailey Senften received a balloon animal at the Langley Centennial Museum. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)Daryl Dix and his daughter Kathleen tried out the potato sack race at the Langley Centennial Museum. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)A fast draw competition was held on King Street. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance)
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