London does it in Trafalgar Square, Sydneyites get to celebrate at the Victoria Cross pub, while in Afghanistan festivities are confined to a military camp. Canada Day Taiwan-style takes place this year at Shalun (沙崙) Beach near Tamsui. There are bands, DJs and a barbecue, restaurant stalls and soccer; the people hail from across the world and are friendly and polite.
John Phillips, an Englishman who attended three of the last four Canada D’eh parties, said the atmosphere and the fact that it is a community event were as much of a draw as the beach soccer game that his friend Spencer Pangborn organizes. “Other beach parties have a narrower appeal,” he said. “It’s more than just having a drink and music.”
The beach soccer tournament will be presided over by referees from the Chinese-Taipei Football Association and sees teams composed of nationals from Canada, Gambia, Japan, Taiwan, the UK and US do battle.
Canada D’eh is “akin to a unity festival,” said its organizer Shawn McClelland. “Our sponsors represent Taiwanese, Canadian, American and Japanese companies,” and the musicians on the lineup are from seven different nations.
McClelland, the new president of the Canadian Society in Taiwan, is an unlikely patriot, having resided in Taiwan for the past 12 years. The author of several ESL books, he’s also part owner of Luxy, and the owner and manager of MIT English school. He became the president of the society because “no one else would do it,” adding that after Luxy helped organize the festivities two years ago, he is also an example of the maxim, “don’t do a good job or you’ll get promoted.”
With ticket sales from Canada D’eh clocking 4,000 per year for the last two editions, McClelland said he hopes to hit 5,000 or more tomorrow, with a better venue that is closer to Danshui MRT Station (淡水捷運站) than last year’s, Baishawan (白沙灣), but is also right on the beach.
WHAT: Canada D’eh Party
WHEN: Tomorrow from noon to midnight
WHERE: Shalun Beach (沙崙海灘), Taipei County
GETTING THERE: A free shuttle bus to and from Danshui MRT Station (淡水捷運站) runs from noon to midnight. For directions visit the Web site below
ADMISSION: Tickets are available at Hi-Life stores today, or at the door tomorrow. Adults: NT$600 (includes two drink coupons); children: NT$200 (includes one drink coupon); adult and child: NT$700 (includes two drink coupons). The event is free for children under 6 or less than 90cm tall.
DETAILS: One drink coupon costs NT$50 and is good for one non-alcoholic beverage. Beer and cocktails cost two tickets. Food items depend on individual vendor
ON THE NET: www.canadiansociety.org/candeh/index.html
The bar, party and games — both for children and adults — are on the beach.
“Families are very important to this event,” said McClelland. Children under 6 get in free and those under 12 receive a goodie bag. Daytime activities include face painting, a hockey shoot-out and treasure hunt.
In addition to bands Wonfu, Skaraoke, Neon, Music Plant, and Grammy Award nominee Colby O’Donis, and DJs Dominik Hooker, Marcus Aurelius, Stevie G, Rich Kraft, and Mr Gin, there is beach volleyball and tug-of-war.
The food this year expands on the barbecue-only theme of previous events with stalls run by 10 of Taipei’s more popular restaurants, including Sababa, Carnegies and The Diner.
A portion of day’s profits will be donated to MacKay Memorial Hospital.
“Canada Day is representative of the values of Canada in general,” McClelland said. “We’re a cultural mosaic ... the slogan for Canada D’eh is kind of a slogan for Canada: Everyone is welcome.”
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