High River, Alberta residents feel patriotic flying Canadian flags outside homes

A wave of red and white is flown throughout High River this year as residents decorate their outdoor spaces with Canadian flags.

Residents in the town south of Calgary are participating in the High River Rotary Club’s annual tradition of displaying flag poles on people’s lawns for Canada Day, which lands on Tuesday.

The club rents out Canadian flags to residents on busy holidays, such as Victoria Day, Labour Day, and Canada Day.

Ron Perrin, the president-elect of the High River Rotary Club, said on Saturday that there’s an overwhelming sense of patriotism this time of year.

“I think most people are really positive about having the flag three times a year, and it looks great to see the whole town covered in Canadian flags,” he told CityNews.

Canada Day also comes at a time when the trade war between the United States and Canada rages on.

But one man with a flag outside his home says, despite the ongoing dispute, Canadians must stick up for their country’s values.

“And don’t quit when the going gets a little tough. We need to work with people. We need to, from time to time, to make some compromises. But we don’t give up. We keep moving forward,” he said.

With Canadian flags lining the streets of High River neighbourhoods, other residents share what it means to be a patriotic Canadian.

“Patriotism for me is to demonstrate a love for country,” another man shared with CityNews. “My parents chose to come to Canada, and we’ve been grateful ever since.”

A woman outside her home says, “It means I’m proud to be Canadian. I’m happy to shop local. I’m happy to be in our country. I was born in the Calgary area.”

The Rotary Club say the program has been a huge success for not only residents but rotarians as well, having given out over 600 flags since the initiative started in 2019.