Some friends once told me that they never go away in the summer because there's no place like Nova Scotia at this time of the year. I couldn't agree more in fact, I'd take it a step further and say that there's no place like the HRM in the summertime, because there's so much happening here!
In my opinion, we are Eastern Canada's capital of free public entertainment, thanks to all the parades, festivals, ethnic gatherings and other outdoor celebrations taking place in our community.
As I am sure you are aware, more and more of these events are on an international scale, the most recent example being in April when we linked with several European cities in a moving tribute to the victims of the Titanic sinking. Another international event we hosted recently was the visit of the Tall Ships, something that dovetailed nicely with the salute to the bicentenary of the War of 1812. Meanwhile, the exciting SWATCH FIVB Junior World Beach Volleyball Championships are coming to our waterfront at the end of this month, for the second consecutive year.
At the same time, HRM's unique home-grown events have also been underway and, from what I've seen as I've strolled around enjoying them, they're attracting larger crowds than ever before. Take the recent Pride Week celebration, for example; the energy and fun of the various activities, capped by a dazzling parade, makes this one of HRM's biggest outdoor summer attractions. Then there was the TD Jazz Festival, which continues to impress with the talent it attracts and this year's event was no exception. Other summer's highlights have included the very popular Halifax Seaport Beerfest and the Halifax International Busker Festival, an event which packed the waterfront and meshed well with all the fun family activities of our Natal Day weekend.
There is still much to come, including the Atlantic Fringe Festival; the ongoing Johnny Depp outdoor movie celebration; the Atlantic Film Festival; the Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle Competition; the summer-long Shakespeare by the Sea presentations; Hopscotch; and Nocturne: Art at Night, to name but a few.
I wish I had room for everything happening around our municipality in these next few months. Instead, I encourage you to visit http://www.halifax.ca/events/HRMEvents.html and http://www.destinationhalifax.com/visitors/festivals-events. I think you'll agree with me that our community really is the place to be at this time of year.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to enjoy the Halifax County Exhibition which is taking place in Middle Musquodoboit this week. Don't you just love summer in the HRM!
I welcome your feedback. Please contact me at kellyp@halifax.ca or phone 490-4010.
