Some may be celebrating Victoria Day with fireworks but Monique Goffinet Miller has a different plan.
This year, the co-chair of the Victoria Branch of the Monarchist League has planned a British-themed neighbourhood party, complete with tea and finger sandwiches as well as bunting adorning her house.
A golden framed, red velvet easel will stand in her front yard with a sign reading “The baby is born!” as a nod to the sign that stood outside Buckingham Palace announcing the birth of the latest princess.
The outside of her home and her backyard will be covered in British bunting – Union Jack flags made out of thin paper and strung together – as well as pink balloons to mark the birth of Princess Charlotte.
A dress code of big hats, gloves and bow ties is encouraged to replicate the scene of an upper class British party.
“It’s an opportunity to properly dress up and make a big deal out of it,” said Goffinet Miller.
Crustless sandwiches, scones and a port imported from Buckingham Palace will also be served to replicate a British high tea.
Goffinet Miller, whose love for the monarchy dates back to the late Princess of Wales, believes the Queen can be seen as a role model for younger generations.
“She’s inspiring. I wish in my own way, in my own community, I could have purpose like that,” she said. “It’s just awe-inspiring.”
Goffinet Miller’s monarchist house party may be small but there are events planned across the country for those who are looking for a unique way to celebrate the holiday.
If you're looking for a more explosive way to celebrate the holiday, head here to check out CTV's tips on safely setting off fireworks.
Across the country, Victoria, New Westminster, Upper Canada Village and Halifax all have varying ways of celebrating the Victoria Day and the history of the monarchy.
Parade to honour namesake
In Victoria, the 117th annual parade will feature floats and marching bands. Organizers say more than 100,000 people come to watch the parade every year.
Ken Lane, who is a member of Victoria’s branch of the monarchist league, normally greets incoming cruise ship passengers in Victorian- or Edwardian-era costumes. He even owns a British bobby’s uniform.
“People see me in it and think I look very official, which can be a problem,” he said.
For this year’s parade, he’s entering a float complete with life-sized wax statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II.
Unfortunately, he says, he hasn’t convinced the local corgi appreciation society to join him.
Noisy celebration in New Westminster
Meanwhile, in New Westminster, B.C., residents celebrate Victoria Day with an ancient tradition. For over 150 years, the Vancouver suburb has celebrated with a tradition known as “anvil firing.”
Local firefighters started the tradition in the 1870s while looking for a creative way to honour the monarchy with a 21-gun salute, minus the guns. Gunpowder is placed between two anvils, with a lit flame used to ignite the gunpowder. The explosion causes the anvil to jump up and fall back on to the other anvil, creating a cannon-like noise.
A community representative calls out a number between one and 21, with a military representative stepping forward to light the gunpowder.
The Ancient and Honourable Hyack Anvil Battery organizes the event and provides both the anvil and gunpowder.
Taste of history in Morrisburg
In Morrisburg, Ont. a heritage park is harking back to an older time to celebrate Victoria Day. The Upper Canada Village will put on a series of speeches, marches and even a rendition of “God Save the Queen” from actors dressed in period costume to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday.
Members of the Brockville Infantry Company, a group of historical reenacters, dressed in bright red tunics traditionally attend. They fire working replicas of 19th century muskets as part of the gun salute to Queen Victoria.
Upper Canada Village's website lists admission prices and a rough schedule of events.
High tea in Halifax
In Halifax, the Friends of the Halifax Public Gardens has held a Victoria Day tea for three years at the Lord Nelson hotel. The tea is held in the hotel's ballroom with suitable dress suggested.
Guests are encouraged to dress in Victorian-era clothing, with parasols if it's a sunny day. Prizes are given to those wearing the most dazzling hat or Victorian dress.
If you're interested in attending, the Firends of the Public Gardens have an online form you can fill out for tickets, or tickets can be bought at the Lord Nelson Hotel or at the Horticultural Hall at Public Gardens.
From gunpowder to toasts and port, the Monarchist League of Canada says the emphasis should be on fostering a sense of community.
“The idea of how people celebrate Victoria Day mirrors the monarchy itself: it brings people together,” said Robert Finch, the national chairman for the group.
