"Three, two, one... Happy Canada Day!" was the shout to be heard on the streets of Ottawa just after midnight on Saturday, where thousands upon thousands of youngsters flocked together to celebrate their nation's 140th year of independence. The city was awash with red and white, as is the case every 1 July, while the hosting of the FIFA U-20 World Cup even saw this ice hockey-mad country dedicate a large chunk of their day to the world's most popular game.

The history books tell us that 1867 was a landmark year in the process of Canada gaining independence from Great Britain. At the time, the vast country was divided into just four provinces and had around 3.8 million inhabitants. It was on 1 July that year that the British parliament set the North American nation on the road to independent rule by approving the country's Constitution, and the date was established as a national holiday 12 years later. Initially known as Dominion Day, becoming Canada Day in 1982, the spirit of the original celebrations are kept in tact today by the multitudes of people gathered around the national parliament buildings.

The world in red and white
"You're not from here, are you? I can tell by your clothes," observes freckly 10-year-old Michael, dressed from head to toe in the colours of his country's flag, the day's strict dress code. "Sorry about him, he's certainly not shy!" grins his father, Dennis. Both have spent Saturday afternoon at the city's Frank Clair Stadium, watching the opening Group E encounters involving Korea DPR, Panama, the Czech Republic and title holders Argentina.

"We were really looking forward to it, and were especially keen to see Argentina. In the end though we left slightly disappointed about the lack of goals," he added, sentiments that would be repeated by many of the fans we spoke too.

Skipping a few generations to 65-year-old Thomas, this jovial retiree is also bedecked in red and white, topping off the ensemble with a Canadian flag on his cap. Once we moved far enough away from the speakers pumping out the soundtrack to the celebrations, Thomas professes to being one of Canada's first "soccer" devotees. "Thirty years ago it was really difficult to find a pitch in the city, but now the sport is even played at university level," he explains. "I'm thrilled at how the game has progressed over here, and the fact that women are playing too. I hope that this World Cup can leave a lasting impression, although that will greatly depend on how well our boys do."

The day goes on and there is still plenty to see, with musicals, flag exhibitions, the National Guard Ceremony and a heavy-duty firework display all part of the city's spectacular annual celebrations.

Let the goal fest commence
Clouds filled the sky early on Sunday, while the main thoroughfares of Ottawa remained closed to traffic to make room for the celebrations. Food stands, musical performers and a variety of street entertainers all played their part in brightening up a day hit by unseasonably cold winds. Not that the chilly weather dampened the locals' spirits, with nobody willing to miss the opportunity to take to the streets and enjoy themselves.

Thousands of people formed a sea of red and white that flowed through the city, while at the same time, a group of experts were preparing the firework display, the focal point of the night's events. Part of the crowd was 24-year-old Canadian Annette, out enjoying the day's activities with her younger sisters, and who was also in the Frank Clair Stadium on Saturday. "My boyfriend is Argentinian, so I went to keep him company. We got there well before kick-off and got totally soaked in the rain, but even so it was still great fun," she enthuses.

Her boyfriend Pablo agrees, but may have risked his girlfriend's wrath with the following statement: "She came to the match with me, but now I've come to the celebrations with her, so we're even. I'm going to leave her at home on Tuesday, and maybe we'll at least get to see some goals," says the avid Albiceleste fan. "That said, I'm having a great time: music, people, fireworks. What more can you ask for? I just hope it doesn't rain again, or if it does that it rains goals (on Tuesday)!" he quips, before rejoining the action.

Tuesday's action has Pablo's Argentina idols taking on Central American side Panama, while European dark horses Czech Republic face Korea DPR. Until then, Ottawa's football community have a chance to catch their breath, and fully immerse themselves in the delights of Canada Day.