Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The splendid display of fireworks and what's more you get to see others setting off fireworks of their own. The night was cold when we were watching the fireworks 6 degrees Celsius but nevertheless a splendid display.
Victoria Day, is the official day of celebration of the reigning Queen of England. The day itself is called "Victoria Day in honour of Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901. Following her death, the birthdays of subsequent Kings and Queens were still celebrated or observed on or around May 24th (in Canada). The current Queen of England (Elizabeth II) was born on June 9th, and her birthday is celebrated on that date in England. But here in Canada we still celebrate the Queen's birthday on the May 24th weekend.
Of course in Canada, ties to the English Throne have been loosened over the decades, and so today, the May 24th weekend has come to mark the beginning of Summer in Canada. It is also the unofficial start to the "Cottage Season," when Canadians drive north to their cottages and cabins (in what is endearingly referred to as "Cottage Country") for the first long weekend of the summer.
Now, back to why most Canadians refer to this weekend as "May Two Four." As I mentioned this weekend marks the beginning of summer and it is a long weekend. This is almost always accompanied by parties and the consumption of alcohol -- specifically beer. And as many of you have undoubtedly learned by now, we in Canada have entire stores devoted to the sale of this single product ... at the beer store.
"But what has any of this got to do with the May 24th weekend?" Well, in those beer stores you can purchases cases of beer -- in a six pack, a twelve pack and the 24 pack; which we refer to as the "Two Four." And so the gentle, "May Two Four" euphemism was born.
The City of Toronto celebrates this holiday weekend with free fire works displays at various locations throughout the city -- the most popular is Ashbridges Bay in the Beaches neighbourhood (the Beaches between Coxwell and Woodbine).
