The U.S. Consulate General in Toronto celebrated the United States of America’s 240th Independence Day on July 6, 2016 at Toronto’s community cultural institution Wychwood Barns. This year the Consulate’s annual Fourth of July celebration also commemorated the National Park Service’s 100 Year Anniversary, which commences a second century of stewardship of America’s 407 national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs. The featured entertainer for this year’s event was Buffalo, New York’s Bobby Militello Quartet, led by the legendary jazz alto saxophonist Bobby Militello. It was attended a number of honorable guests and friends of the Consulate – Canadian and American, including Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
“Like Canada, the United States is a country of immigrants, and we are stronger because of our diversity and inclusivity,” said U.S. Consul General Juan Alsace during his remarks. “Independence Day is a reminder of where we come from and who we are – and that our community spans the globe.”
The Consul General also noted that along with the celebrations of independence, the U.S. National Park Service centennial gives everyone further reason to celebrate. “I am proud of the role the United States has played in this global effort and I celebrate the values our National Park Service embodies as it protects America’s historical buildings, national monuments, and natural wonders,” he added. “These sites are a display of our shared democratic principles and the natural heritage between our countries.” The U.S. Consulate General in Toronto also launched its social media photo contest which is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Park Service. This contest runs from July 6 to August 25, 2016 and is a great opportunity to share photographs of U.S. National Parks using #NationalPArksContestCAN on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and compete for prizes: https://goo.gl/1ROgCW . More photographs from the event are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHskDPc6aD.
