By Tim Querengesser

Why hide it? I spent six years in Ottawa and the highlight usually came every July 1 -- Canada Day -- when the normally sleepy capital transformed into a flowing current of millions of Canada-buzzed faces, all trying to jam themselves into a few suddenly too-small streets for a good viewpoint for the incredible fireworks display. And though this July will mark my fifth year in the North, here's another confession: I can't tell you what Northerners usually do on Canada Day, because up here, I usually stay home.

Oh, sharpen those vinegar-pens now readers, because I'm okay admitting that my Canada Day preferences lie south of 60. The redemption, and you knew that had to be coming since I work for Up Here, is that just 10 or so days before Canada Day comes Aboriginal Day. And the absolute opposite is true of that holiday. People in southern Canada make a confused dog sound when you mention it, whereas people in Northern Canada celebrate it for all that makes the region so very special. And I love Aboriginal Day.

All this to say, I feel certain holidays are best experienced in certain places. I'm on the fence as to where is better during Christmas -- my native Ontario or my adopted Northwest Territories, though the free Christmas trees surrounding you is a sure argument-changer for the NWT -- but there's no question where I'd rather celebrate a summer solstice, a St. Patrick's Day (cough, Black Knight, cough), a civic holiday (we don't get those as often in the south) or an Easter.

Answer: The North.

What do you think of Canada Day in the North? Let us know with a comment below.