Communities around the Columbia Valley donned their red and white to celebrate Canada’s 144th birthday.

From midnight fireworks, a parade and the Cops for Kids Build a Boat race in Invermere to music on Radium’s main street and an afternoon of fun at the Fairmont Hot Springs resort, there was plenty to get up to this July 1.

Check out this week’s Valley Echo for a full photo spread on pages 6 and 7!