Hub Staff

The Port Elgin Business Improvement Area (BIA) blocked off a section of Green Street, Coulter Parkette August 20, for the faith parade that was “A National Celebration”, the final show of The Tragically Hip’s Man Machine Poem tour, held in Kingston; the concert many are speculating to be the Hip’s final show.

The concert was broadcast across CBC platforms, without interruption, and Canadians tuned in at home, at concert halls, at licensed establishments and at viewing parties like the one held outdoors in downtown Port Elgin.

The rain held off until the third encore, which frontman Gord Downie referred to as “unchartered territory,” but when the outdoor screen was pulled down for protection, with the music playing on, some enthusiastic fans in attendance wearing white t-shirts attempted to display the remainder of the show on their torsos.

Emotions ran high throughout the evening and among Downie’s messages to his captivated audience was to have faith in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in attendance at the Kingston show, while holding him to account on issues that concern northern First Nation communities. “We’re in good hands, folks, real good hands. He cares about the people way up north, that we were trained our entire lives to ignore,” said Downie, later adding, “Thanks for listening to that, thanks for listening, period. Have a nice life.”

Canadians, young and old, from all walks of life, connected through a set list which proved itself to be the voice of a nation.