Canada to Celebrate 150th Birthday in 2017

Next year marks Canada's 150th birthday and the sesquicentennial will be celebrated all year long. A country-wide kickoff party is planned for December 31st to begin the full year of celebration. In addition to the parties and displays of patriotism, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants this birthday to be a moment of reflection as the country looks forward to the next 150 years.

My super sweet 150th

The federal government is planning to spend $210 million to throw a giant birthday party in Ottawa and in communities across the country. Money for the rager was secured in the 2015 federal budget. The celebrations represent "a historic opportunity for Canadians to connect with our past, celebrate our achievements and create a lasting legacy for our future." The money will be used to support concerts, festivals and enhanced Canada Day celebrations in the capital and other major cities.

Get the party started

Events are planned all over the country this year. Here's a look at how some of us are celebrating the sesquicentennial.

• The National Ballet of Canada is also celebrating their 65th anniversary in 2017. The ballet is partnering with community groups to bring 150 pointe shoes to landmarks throughout the country.
• Parks Canada waived all fees for Discovery Passes in 2017 giving visitors free access to national parks all year. 
• The Canada Mosaic 150 project will be created using hundreds of tiles hand-painted by individual Canadians. It will consist of 150 interconnected murals revealing a train travelling across the country and will involve about 100,000 people.
• In Toronto, hundreds of musicians will gather to set a Guinness world record for largest rock performance. They are looking to beat China's record of 953 musicians. Canada Rocks 150 hopes to attract 1,500. 
• The Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour has a series of air shows kicking off in June from the Rocky Mountain House Airport in Alberta and will visit 97 northern communities throughout the tour.

Looking for more events in your area and throughout Canada to celebrate 150 years? Check them out here.

Photo courtesy of Ottawa Citizen.