A busy weekend ahead for those in Halifax and Dartmouth, with many free events taking place. “Definitely on the Halifax waterfront and Dartmouth is going to come to life. We have Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park activated with concerts all weekend long and then Halifax, we have the Halifax Busker Festival, and you can spread out to the Public Gardens for concerts throughout the weekend,” says Billy Comer, Halifax Regional Municipality events manager. Businesses along the Halifax Harbourfront have been preparing for this weekend for quite some time. Ambassadors Grayline says it’s an even busier weekend than Canada Day, especially when the weather is expected to be nice. “Especially with the buskers here it will be busy. Crowds will come to the waterfront and take part. But we are generally about 75 percent sold out for the weekend,” says Sean Buckland, Ambassadors Grayline president. “We have actually extended the hours for the Georges Island tour. It’s so busy. We have additional Harbour Hoppers on and a number of happy hour cruises as well.” Ambassadors Grayline is not the only business that will benefit from the waterfront traffic. City Harbour Cruises says the whole summer has been busy for them but this weekend they anticipate a sellout as well. “Our evening ones are sold out, now I’m booking up on my afternoon tours. I’m sure we will sell out in the next hour, it’s just that busy. People love getting out on the water,” says Rochelle Titus, City Harbour Cruises co-owner. Titus says their team loves getting the opportunity to show locals and tourists everything the city has to offer. She adds a busy weekend like this is huge for them. “This is a money maker weekend for all of us. All the vendors, the businesses, the small businesses, the boat tour companies, we all benefit greatly from busker festival and Natal Day celebrations and that’s the other thing with Natal Day we have the fireworks out on the harbour, so that’s a big thing for the boat tour companies,” adds Titus. Both those visiting the Halifax area as well as locals say they are taking advantage of an extra day off work. “We are here visiting family in Samboro and so decided to come check out the oval and enjoy all the fun here, and its great weather,” says Cassie Doiron, visiting from Miramichi, N.B. “My weekend plans are spending time at our beautiful local pool,” says Ky Greyson, who lives in Halifax. “Maybe take the bridge walk on Monday and you know be down at the waterfront on the boardwalk and definitely try to make a day out of it. It’s supposed to be nice weather wise,” says Bonnie Tumblin, who lives in Halifax. A staple in the community is the Natal Day Parade which will take place on Monday and Comer says it always has a great turnout. “Tons of floats, tons of energy and people are really excited for it this year. A key memory for me in my life is up Ochterloney when that parade is coming up the final stretch up to Sullivan’s pond. I mean I think I still have a picture of me and my mom with me up on her shoulders, so it’s a tradition in Nova Scotia,” says Comer. The municipality is advising people to plan ahead, especially when it comes to travel, and encourage the use of public transit. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
