Study Abroad: Queens, Kings, or Canada Day?

In the country where I am from (The Netherlands, just in case you are one of those smarties that believe Amsterdam is an actual country. Although it definitely feels seperate from its neighboring cities, unfortunately it is still not independent) we annually celebrate our (former) queen's birthday. Atleast, that was until this year. Next year it will be Kingsday, which although I like our king still sounds a bit off to me. Anywho, I have always been very excited for Q-day, usually spending my day strolling around my beautiful city getting my walk on (and burning carbs hooray) and party out in the open (I always prefer the 'gay-street', people there know how to get their groove on).

Unfortunately this year I decided to sell part of my closet at the vrijmarkt (free market). On Q-day you can sell your old stuff on the streets, practically anywhere you like with a few exceptions, without a permit. I would be lieng if I told you I made good bucks (which were meant for my trip abroad), so I will be honest and say I made almost nada. But fair is fair, I just could not sell my gorgeous shoes for a bargain! I know that Q-day is about bargains for most people, but that does not mean that customers get to decide on prices. Oh hell naw, I will keep my overpriced shoes and save money some other way thank you very much. I do feel a bit sad that I did not get to 'celebrate' our last Q-day, but it makes a difference that the weather was pretty shitty that day in my opinion. And at least I made some money instead of spending a lot of money on useless stuff. 

But, I found out life kind of wanted to make it up to me Because appearantly, Canadians also have a similar celebration annually: Canada Day! And who will be in Toronto by that time? Exactly. I am not too sure what to expect though, and quite frankly I am not even confident that I completely understand what is celebrated that day. I think the "birth" of Canada is just celebrated, but correct me if I am wrong.

What to do that day though? I read about fireworks being all over the place, but other than that I am clueless! If you are a Canadian or have celebrated Canada Day before (or will be in Canada that day) please let me know in a comment what you would recommend me to do that day! 

XXX

Sefanja Rubina