Kim Macies Canada Day

Every Canadian should celebrate Canada

Day in our nation's capital at least once in their life. It's a wonderful

experience that brings together thousands of people in sharing our national

heritage. Kim Macies has special memories not just about attending, but also in

organizing the events, which she did from 2006-2008.

Macies is employed by the

Department of Canadian Heritage and is on a leave of absence while her husband

is stationed in Fort Bragg, NC. While in Canada, she worked closely with the

National Capital Commission and was the Executive Producer for the Canada Day

noon show.

Ottawa generally hosts 75,000

people at it's annual Canada Day celebration, as well as it being viewed by one

million Canadians on TV. The event generally boosts Ottawa tourism by 30-40%.

The budget for the event is approximately $1.3-1.5 million.

Preparation for the event generally

starts 6 months in advance and involves approximately 60 departments, so

communications and nurturing the interdepartmental relationships is important,

Macies states. Additionally, there are 40-50 individuals in Protocol

Communications, which includes information technology and the news

departments.

Organizing an event of this

magnitude does not come without its challenges as you can imagine. Macies shares

that getting stage approvals, integrating regional anniversaries and managing

competing interests, add to the complexity of the position. Then there's the

general procession of events which need to happen on strict timelines to make

sure the day runs smoothly.

Those issues are well worth the

Canadian patriotism that is shown on our national birthday. Macies fondest

memory occurred in '07 when the Canadian Snowbirds flew overhead on the last

note of our National Anthem, which goes to show the level of detail incorporated

in the planning. "People love what they do, as well as the adrenaline that comes

from the celebrations", Macies states. That year Blue Rodeo was the featured

band.

This year the Queen will be in

attendance and it's been announced that the Bare Naked Ladies will be the

featured band.

While Macies is not a part of the

Ottawa event this year, she is organizing a Canada Day event in Dunn, NC as

leader of CanSouth. She wishes everyone a Happy Canada Day!