Canadians and their friends in Bermuda will get the chance next month to come together and celebrate the Island's big northern neighbour's birthday.

The fledgling Canadians in Bermuda Association has formed and intends to hold a July 1 Canada Day celebration on the Island .

The Canada Day party will kick off at noon at Chaplin Bay, Warwick, and there will be numerous activities throughout the afternoon.

All people -- not just Canadians -- are welcome to the "BYOP'' event (bring your own picnic) and enjoy an afternoon of socialising in a fun atmosphere.

A website for the group is expected to be up soon at www.canadiansinbermuda.bm, which will provide details about the event and other information about the group.

Lawyer Nita Grewal, who is married to Bermudian/Canadian Andrew Vaucrosson, said the group came together in the spirit of friendship and cultural unity.

"This will be a coming together of the two cultures,'' Ms Grewal said.

"We will be helping Canadians to learn about Bermuda and Bermudians to learn about Canada. As you know Canada is made up of many cultures -- it is multicultural.'' She added: "It's about time that we had a Canada Day event. So much is made about July 4 and the Americans.

"We're inviting everybody who want's to come,'' Ms Grewal said. "Bring your own picnic. We'll have a Canadian flag, cake, tug of war and activities like that in an informal atmosphere.

She added: "Right now we're six people but we have sent out a few hundred e-mails and we're getting a positive response.

"People are really being supportive. It's a good chance for people to meet -- people who have been here for many years and new arrivals and Bermudians. We have sent out more than 400 e-mails and we expect lots of people with their kids, it's a family event.''