PHOTOS: Big time Gyro energy at compressed Canada Day celebrations

It wasn't long ago that Canada Day celebrations at Penticton's Gyro Park kicked off in the early morning and wouldn't end 'til the dinner hour – or later.

One problem. Very few wanted to stick it out all day. There were huge gaps of quiet and large patches of solitude throughout much of the afternoon.

This year, the event adopted a new, substantially more condensed schedule that officially kicked off in the late morning (11 AM) and officially ended just four hours later.

And Gyro was a happening spot the vast majority of the time.

Didn’t hurt that no one was forced to wait a half day for the big acts. Indeed, the day's biggest act – high-flying Kelowna-based Tragically Hip tribute band The Hip Replacements – was on stage and doing its Gord Downie thing by 1:30.

Could there be a better band for a small-city Canada Day community party?

Probably not, though warm-up act Dixie Fried Hep Katz kept the crowd happy and dancing beforehand with their raw energy and hard-edged rockabilly.

Most importantly, there was plenty to see and do (and eat, and drink) beyond the stage. And that included box after box afer box of freebie cupcakes from Save-On Foods.

There were super cute goats courtesy of GottaGoat Farm. There were tons of games for the little kids from Amuzing Fun Rentals.

There were food trucks galore. And there was a sizable midway where vendors exhibited their wares.

And in the middle of it all, there were hundreds of people, many in chairs they brought with them, enjoying the festivities.

Hundreds? Maybe a thousand. Maybe more.

And many were dressed in appropriate Canada Day garb. Visibly more than usual, in fact.

And for that, we can likely thank that old man south of the border who keeps threatening our nationhood.

Just after the politicians spoke at noon, the South Okanagan Immigrant Society held a brief ceremony honouring new Canadians.

The newbies, all with big smiles, lined up and shook hands with VIPs like Mayor Julius Bloomfield and MLA Amelia Boultbee and got cool takeaway bags.

It was a great idea that got a bit lost in the crowd and maybe next year should unfold on the stage.

Other than that, it was a strong Happy Birthday at old Gyro.