Hundreds watch Canada Day sunrise from Mount Seymour
'There was an incredible feeling of unity and coming together,' says event organizer
Hundreds of hikers were up before the crack of dawn Saturday morning to watch the sun come up on Canada Day from the summit of Mount Seymour.
Organized by the Vancouver-based group, Chasing Sunrise, event coordinators estimated that more than 800 participants — many clad in red and white — made the trek.
The group rallied at the base of the mountain at 2:15 a.m. and the sun rose to greet them at the summit just after 5:00 a.m.
"It was a really cool morning," said event co-founder Julian DeSchutter.
"There was an incredible feeling of unity and coming together."
According to DeSchutter, participants ranged in age from four to 76. The youngest was carried the whole way to the top.
When the sun rose, the crowd began to sing the national anthem.
"It felt like we stopped remembering what was different about us all, and remembered what we had in common," said DeSchutter.
Chasing Sunrise events also took place July 1 in St. John's, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, and Victoria.
DeSchutter said Vancouver organizers set alarms to celebrate sunrise times in the other participating cities to acknowledge the arrival of Canada 150 from coast to coast.