The community will come together Tuesday for Canada Day festivities at the Milton Fair Grounds.

It promises to be as much of an ode to the past as it is an embrace of the future. What's more, attendance and enthusiasm will be in tandem to make the experience all the more memorable.

"At least 10,000 (people) -- guaranteed," said John Comber, of this year's expected turnout. Comber is the president of the Milton Canada Day volunteer committee.

"There's only seven of us (in the committee), but we work very hard," he said.

It's paying off with an event that's shaping up to be the biggest -- and best -- yet.

Kicking off the day will be the Veterans' Breakfast from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Victoria Park. The public is invited to enjoy pancakes along with veterans, who eat for free.

A brief ceremony honouring veterans will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the cenotaph.

The Veterans' Parade will follow, leading from the cenotaph to the fairgrounds.

Donations at the gates will be welcome, but otherwise, all activities -- save for carnival rides and chow time -- are free.

The party will officially start with a proclamation: the Canadian national anthem, O Canada, as sung by musician Terry Wheelen, who performs at Matt's Rib House on Saturdays.

It'll be dessert before lunch at the cake-cutting ceremony. Enjoy a slice of the six or seven slab Canada Day cake donated by Loblaw Superstore.

What a day it will be. A swearing-in ceremony at 12:30 p.m. will welcome about 30 new Canadian citizens into the ranks.

It's one of many reasons to celebrate -- and indulge.

Comber said there will be a larger variety of food than ever before.

Mr. Greek and Casey's will be there with ribs and chicken, and the Knights of Columbus will pull up a french fry truck, serving 'em homemade and hand-cut. Troy's Diner will be broiling up hot dogs, and Jean Macintosh will bring in the Caribbean flavour with jerk chicken.

Of course, the traditional fare -- cotton candy, ice cream and lemonade -- will remain intact.

Other highlights will include an animal and reptile exhibit, a rock climbing wall, dog show, horse demonstration and martial arts displays.

A kids' zone will provide a play place for the youngest visitors. This will include giant sand hills and a playdough centre.

And of course, the carnival rides -- those can't be missed.

There are a few debutantes that will bring in a whole new dynamic this year.

The Aerial Angels, a troupe of circus artistes based in Michigan, United States, will be on scene cavorting and contorting -- and fire eating. These entertainers tour across North America and the world performing. "We are very happy to have them," said Comber.

Guitar Hero and Dance Revolution --computer-simulation games -- are this year's most highly-anticipated, adrenaline-pumping upgrades. These will be housed in the teen zone, which will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Players will be pit against each other, and the action played out on a huge TV monitor.

And all day long, everyone will have the opportunity to sign a banner being sent to Canadian Olympic athletes in Beijing, China. The banner will be on the Halton Turf and Tractor stage in the fairgrounds.

Two acclaimed bands will be the big evening entertainment: Scarecrow (a John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band) at 7 p.m. and Fleetwood Dreams (a Fleetwood Mac tribute band) from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

And topping off the evening, the Northern Lights fireworks display will spectacularly brighten up the night sky starting at 10 p.m.

There's no excuse to miss out when free local transit will be provided all day long courtesy of Mattamy Homes.

For more information about Milton Canada Day, visit www.miltoncanadaday.ca.