The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and a sea of red and white filled Shaw Park yesterday as the Winnipeg Goldeyes delivered a Canada Day performance worthy of fireworks. In what has become a cherished local tradition, the Goldeyes took to the field against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, treating the sold-out holiday crowd to baseball at its summer best.
From the first pitch, there was something magical in the air. Perhaps it was the special Canada Day jerseys sporting a maple leaf design, or maybe the unmistakable energy of families gathering to celebrate our national holiday at the ballpark. Whatever the alchemy, it transformed an ordinary Tuesday afternoon into something memorable.
“There’s nothing quite like playing on Canada Day,” said Goldeyes manager Jamie Vermilyea. “The atmosphere is different—you can feel the extra buzz from the stands. The players feed off that energy.”
And feed they did. The Goldeyes jumped to an early lead in the second inning when veteran first baseman David Washington connected with a fastball that sailed over the right-field wall for a two-run homer. The crowd erupted, maple leaf flags waving frantically throughout the stands.
The holiday spirit extended well beyond the diamond. Between innings, young fans participated in Canadian-themed races around the bases while donning oversized beaver and moose costumes. Local brewery Fort Garry offered a special “True North” red ale for the occasion, with a portion of proceeds supporting community youth baseball programs.
What makes these Canada Day games so special isn’t just the baseball—it’s the community gathering aspect that transforms the experience. In our increasingly digital world, these shared moments of collective celebration become increasingly precious. As cultural sociologist Dr. Amanda Peterson noted in a recent CO24 Culture piece, “Sporting events on national holidays serve as modern town squares, where communities reaffirm their shared identity.”
The Redhawks mounted a serious challenge in the sixth inning, scoring three runs to take a momentary lead. The stadium briefly quieted, but not for long. The resilience that has characterized this Goldeyes squad all season emerged again when shortstop Dayson Croes delivered a bases-clearing double in the seventh, reclaiming the lead to thunderous applause.
“That’s baseball for you,” said Croes after the game, his uniform still showing the dirt from his headfirst slide into second. “Momentum swings back and forth. Our job is to stay focused and take advantage when opportunities come.”
The bullpen locked down the final innings, with closer Tasker Strobel striking out the side in the ninth to secure the 6-4 victory. As the final pitch found the catcher’s mitt, the celebration began in earnest, with players tipping their caps to the standing crowd before gathering for a team photo with a massive Canadian flag stretched across the infield.
For many in attendance, the Goldeyes’ Canada Day game has become as essential to their holiday tradition as fireworks and barbecues. Multi-generational families filled the stands, from grandparents who’ve attended for decades to young children experiencing their first live baseball game.
“We haven’t missed a Canada Day game in fifteen years,” said Winnipeg resident Karen Friesen, who attended with her husband and three children. “It’s more than baseball—it’s about creating memories together. The kids will remember these days long after they forget what presents they got for their birthdays.”
The victory improves the Goldeyes’ record to 28-19, solidifying their position in the American Association playoff race as they head into the second half of the season. But on this day, the standings seemed secondary to the celebration of community and country that unfolded at Shaw Park.
As the sun began to set and fans slowly filed out—many heading to The Forks for evening fireworks—there was a palpable sense that this was exactly how Canada Day should be celebrated: together, under open skies, cheering for the home team.
The Goldeyes continue their homestand tomorrow night against the Redhawks, but there’s little doubt that yesterday’s Canada Day spectacle will remain the most memorable game of the summer—until perhaps next July 1st, when the tradition continues anew.
For more insights on how sporting events shape our cultural landscape, visit our CO24 Trends section, or share your own thoughts on this Canadian tradition in our CO24 Opinions forum.
