We all look forward to this weekend ALL Spring.  The kids want a day off school, camping enthusiasts want an extra day to enjoy the outdoors, still others visit family, get some extra shopping done, or just sleep in!

I thought I’d Google the day and just take a moment to remember where the holiday came from.  My friends at Wikipedia have this explanation:

Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria‘s birthday. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian sovereign‘s official birthday is recognized. It is sometimes informally considered as marking the beginning of the summer season in Canada.

The holiday has been observed since before Canada was formed, originally falling on the sovereign’s actual birthday, and continues to be celebrated in various fashions across the country on the fixed date; the holiday has always been a distinctly Canadian observance.^[1][2] It is a statutory holiday federally, as well as in six of Canada’s ten provinces and all three of its territories. In Quebec, the same day was since the Quiet Revolution of the 1960s unofficially known as Fête de Dollard until 2003, when provincial legislation officially named the same date as Victoria Day the National Patriots’ Day.

The weather may or may not be ideal this weekend, but if you’re looking for a way to fill the time why not check out Simcoe.com.  They have a great calendar set up outlining all the activities in and around Barrie this weekend.  Whatever you do, be safe, have fun, and take a minute to thank Queen Victoria for inviting us to her party!