Cameron Highlander’s host annual family BBQ and Canada Day celebrations

The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (Duke of Edinburgh’s Own), Canada’s oldest militia, are back to celebrate Canada’s 151st birthday.

The day is kind of a hybrid event, combining a family barbecue, recruitment day, and Canada Day celebrations.

“Everybody is there to have a good time and see old friends and make new friends. It’s very much a family event, and the idea is, we put a barbecue on, and everybody can have something to eat and drink,” said Doug Palmer, Foundation President. “The recruiting table is there if someone wants to see what the Camerons do as a reserve unit, they can talk to the recruiting sergeant and get information as well.”

The day was organized by retired regimental sergeant major, Gwyn Nicholson, and will be entirely run by volunteers. He gathers the volunteers together and coordinates with them so the barbecue and recruiting event can run smoothly and cohesively.

Muskoka Brewery volunteered to put together a beer tent for attendees to get a taste of their craft beers. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be available for purchase and a taste of the Scottish tradition, Gerry McCauley will have his homemade haggis burgers available too. Palmer said they sell out of the famous haggis burgers every year.

“The current wife of the RSM, Karen Lever, she organizes a bakery and treats table. There’s pies, muffins, and cookies that the ladies make for us, and then we sell those at the treats table,” added Palmer. “Also, one of the retired guys, Chris Murphy, sets up our regimental kit shop which our foundation looks after. He sets it up, so people can buy Cameron stuff. Flags, mugs, and that kind of stuff.”

If you plan on making Cameron’s Highlanders a part of your Canada Day celebrations, there’s no need to worry about finding parking. The Highlanders event will be held at Cartier Square Drill Hall.

“Right next to City Hall, and a few blocks away from the National Cenotaph. So, it’s all within walking distance of downtown,” said Palmer.

That particular area of the city will have been shut down and closed off to cars, so everything will be within walking distance of each other, making for a perfect stress-free family day.

The barbecue and celebrations start at 11 a.m. and will run until 6 p.m.