Rain Sours Canada Day Celebrations in Halifax

Canada is commemorating its 157th anniversary, but rainy weather has dampened the spirit of several planned events in Halifax.

Under the theme of Kana’ta, the municipality of Halifax had organized a reimagined Canada Day celebration for July 1. The event boasted a diverse range of cultural, musical, and family-oriented activities for attendees to enjoy. Free admission was announced at the Citadel National Historic Site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring the newly launched exhibit ‘Fortress Halifax – A City Shaped by Conflict.’

The day was set to include special performances by the 78th Highlanders, with mini pipe and drum concerts, drills, and demonstrations scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Additionally, a Canada Day cake cutting ceremony was planned for 11 a.m. At the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, free admission was offered from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a range of activities throughout the day, including a citizenship ceremony, participatory art, and performances.

Unfortunately, inclement weather led to the cancellation of several events in different locations. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Canada Day Parade in downtown Halifax was called off, where over 25 groups and floats were expected to participate. Similarly, the gathering featuring Mi’kmaw music and culture demonstration in Lower Sackville was also cancelled, featuring performances and games for attendees.

Despite the setbacks, some events continued as planned. Dewolf Park in Bedford kicked off its celebrations with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by various activities for children and live music performances throughout the day. As part of the ongoing Patriot Days in Lower Sackville, a Teddy Bear Picnic was scheduled at the Sackville Arena at 1 p.m.

Fireworks displays across Halifax were also impacted by the weather conditions. The fireworks on the Halifax waterfront were rescheduled to Friday, July 5, at 10 p.m., with a backup plan for the Lower Sackville fireworks display on July 7 at 10 p.m. The Bedford fireworks display at Dewolf Park awaited a weather forecast decision later in the day.