Laura moves up from the food tent (23 Canada Day photos)

SooToday.com first met Laura Widgett at last year's Canada Day celebration, serving hot dogs under the Roberta Bondar Tent Pavilion.

This year, Laura moved up in the ranks, singing O Canada at the opening ceremonies of Canada's 140th birthday.

The 17-year-old White Pines student has been performing on stage since she was three years old.

Laura belted out our national anthem in English and French with background singers (using the term loosely) Mayor John Rowswell, MP Tony Martin and MPP David Orazietti standing behind her.

After her performance, Laura made her way over to the information table headed by marina staffer Dayna Duggan (shown left with Widgett) to celebrate with some mini-Canadian flags.

Mayor Rowswell then kicked off the real business of the day, cutting Canada's big birthday cake while the audience was treated with free red and white Canada Day cupcakes.

Face painting and balloon animals were a main attraction for many of the younger attendees, who sang and danced along with children's performers Smudge Fundaes.

Today's festivities go on until 10:30 p.m. when the fireworks begin.