THOROLD — Joshua Puto outfitted his bike with colourful red and white streamers like the other kids in the best decorated bike contest at Thorold’s Canada Day bash on Saturday, but he came armed with a secret weapon: a big beaver on his handlebars.

It paid off: Joshua took first place in the contest that kicked off a full day of activities following the singing of O Canada by the Young at Heart choir and speeches from dignitaries in the Battle of Beaverdams Park.

Thorold Mayor Ted Luciani wondered if John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first prime minister, would recognize his country today as it celebrates its 150th anniversary.

“(It’s) a nation that celebrates diversity, a nation that is all-inclusive,” said Luciani.

“We are truly blessed to live in the greatest country in the world.”

Luciani encouraged the crowd to enjoy Canada Day cupcakes and thanked them for turning out in large numbers to mark the big sesquicentennial bash. “You are the reason why this community is so great,” he said.

Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey couldn’t be there for the start of the festivities, but he had his speech read out by his office manager Anna Oakes.

“Canada is place like no other,” he said. “Our geography is a diverse as our people.

“Above else, Canada is and always will be about people,” Badawey’s speech said. “My greatest wish for us and for Canada is that we can continue to embrace all cultures and we can continue to be free who love who we love, and that we can all appreciate and respect the contributions of Canada’s indigenous peoples.”

Niagara Centre riding MPP Cindy Forster paid homage to Canada’s veterans who fought in wars and who have done peacekeeping missions. “Because of them we have freedom of speech, we have the ability to congregate here today,” she said.