Halifax Common
Encyclopedia
The Halifax Common, in local popular usage more often referred to as the Commons, is a Canadian urban park in the community of Halifax
in Nova Scotia
's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is Canada’s oldest urban park, with the North Common and the Central Common still in use as a public park area.
near the site of today's Pier 21
. The Common was created by surveyors following the settling of Halifax in 1749. The Halifax Common was created to serve three purposes. The first was to provide pasturage for horses and livestock
, both by the military
garrison and the citizens of Halifax. The second was to create a large area in which regiments stationed and in transit through Halifax could set up camps. The third and final reason was to provide clear fields of fire for the garrison of the Halifax Citadel, so that invading forces would have no cover in the event of an assault on the fort.
Originally, the Halifax Common stretched from Cunard Street, the current northern boundary of the North Common, south to the southern edge of the Saint Mary's University campus, with its eastern boundary at North Park, Ahern, Bell Road, and South Park, and Robie Street
in to the west. During the 1800s, the city expanded in all directions, and some of this development encroached on the Common. Residential development spread up Spring Garden Road, cutting the Common in half. In addition, civic institutions were established on the Common, in keeping with its use as a public space. The Common became home to the Public Gardens
, Camp Hill Cemetery
and Camp Hill Hospital, Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University
, the Civic, Victoria General, IWK
and Grace hospitals, Citadel High School, Gorsebrook Junior
, and Inglis Street
schools, as well as other parks, play sets, ball diamonds and fountain
s.
diamonds, and a large fountain near the centre. It is larger than the Central Common, and is much more empty and open, making it suitable for organized sporting and recreation events. A public washroom was recently built on Cunard St.
The Central Common has more large fields, tennis courts, a soccer field, an outdoor city-owned swimming pool
, skateboarding facilities, and a smaller fountain.
Playgrounds were recently replaced on the Central Common, because of concerns due to toxicity levels in the soil beneath the playground. Arsenic from playground wood that had been treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA, which has since been discontinued in playground use in Halifax) had leached from the playground wood, into the soil.
Near the Cogswell street side of the Common is The Halifax Pavilion
. The Pavilion is an all ages venue that showcases many different genres of music.
A portion of the Halifax Common has been temporarily converted into a 400-metre oval track, to host speed skating events in the Canadian Masters Championships, January 15 - 16, 2011 and the 2011 Canada Games, February 11-27, 2011. The oval is slated to be removed in March 2011. After initial delays opening, caused by unseasonably warm temperatures in HRM, the oval opened to tremendous response from the community. Hundreds of people have come out each day, for free skating, with some estimates placing attendance as high as 2000 people in a single day. Due to the overwhelming response, Halifax mayor Peter Kelly is calling for the fixture to be made permanent. District 12 Counsellor Dawn Sloane agrees the venue is very popular and is calling for studies on the long term costs of operating a permanent facility.
.
The square-shaped North Common is bordered by Cunard Street to the north, North Park street to the east, Cogswell street to the south, and Robie Street to the west. The Central Common is triangle shaped and is bordered by Cogswell Street to the north, Bell Road to the south-west, and Trollope Street to the south-east.
venue for the Halifax region. With its central location, it has direct walking access (approx. five to ten minutes walking east on Cogswell Street or Rainnie Drive) to Downtown Halifax
and the Barrington Street Metro Transit
public transit terminal, with services providing connections to the rest of the city, the Halifax harbour ferry connecting with Downtown Dartmouth and Woodside, as well as the new Bus Rapid Transit service MetroLink
. During these shows, concert express and shuttle buses run directly to and from Common Park from various locations and are designated to operate along with the regular service Metro Transit offers.
Notes
Pre-2000
2006
2009
2010
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is Canada’s oldest urban park, with the North Common and the Central Common still in use as a public park area.
History
The Halifax Common was originally a lightly forested swampy area which formed the source of Freshwater Brook which flowed into Halifax HarbourHalifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
near the site of today's Pier 21
Pier 21
Pier 21, a former ocean liner terminal, is Canada's National Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia.It operated as an ocean liner terminal and immigration shed from 1928 to 1971 and became an immigration museum in 1999. Pier 21 is Canada's last remaining ocean immigration shed...
. The Common was created by surveyors following the settling of Halifax in 1749. The Halifax Common was created to serve three purposes. The first was to provide pasturage for horses and livestock
Livestock
Livestock refers to one or more domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce commodities such as food, fiber and labor. The term "livestock" as used in this article does not include poultry or farmed fish; however the inclusion of these, especially poultry, within the meaning...
, both by the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
garrison and the citizens of Halifax. The second was to create a large area in which regiments stationed and in transit through Halifax could set up camps. The third and final reason was to provide clear fields of fire for the garrison of the Halifax Citadel, so that invading forces would have no cover in the event of an assault on the fort.
Originally, the Halifax Common stretched from Cunard Street, the current northern boundary of the North Common, south to the southern edge of the Saint Mary's University campus, with its eastern boundary at North Park, Ahern, Bell Road, and South Park, and Robie Street
Robie Street
Robie Street is a north-south artery, street and provincial road that runs for 7 kilometres within the Halifax Peninsula area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, from Memorial Drive in the North End Halifax, to Gorsebrook Avenue in the South End. The street in most places is 4 lanes wide with a...
in to the west. During the 1800s, the city expanded in all directions, and some of this development encroached on the Common. Residential development spread up Spring Garden Road, cutting the Common in half. In addition, civic institutions were established on the Common, in keeping with its use as a public space. The Common became home to the Public Gardens
Halifax Public Gardens
The Halifax Public Gardens are Victorian era public gardens formally established in 1867, the year of Canadian Confederation. The gardens are located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia on the Halifax Peninsula near the popular shopping district of Spring Garden Road...
, Camp Hill Cemetery
Camp Hill Cemetery
In 1844 Camp Hill Cemetery on Robie Street in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada replaced the city's first cemetery known as the Old Burying Ground that had been established almost 100 years earlier in 1749...
and Camp Hill Hospital, Saint Mary's University, Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, the Civic, Victoria General, IWK
IWK Health Centre
The IWK Health Centre is a hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia that provides care to women, children, and youth from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.-Location:The IWK Health Centre is located in the south end of Halifax...
and Grace hospitals, Citadel High School, Gorsebrook Junior
Gorsebrook Junior High School
Gorsebrook Junior High School is a Canadian public school in the southern area of Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is operated by the Halifax Regional School Board .Gorsebrook offers both the English and French immersion programs.Gorsebrook draws from St...
, and Inglis Street
Inglis Street
Inglis Street is a street on the Halifax Peninsula in the Halifax Regional Municipality Nova Scotia, Canada. It runs between Barrington Street and Beaufort Avenue.-Major intersections:* Beaufort Avenue* Robie Street* Barrington Street, Halifax* Tower Road...
schools, as well as other parks, play sets, ball diamonds and fountain
Fountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
s.
Facilities
The North Common contains several soft ballSoft ball
Soft ball or softball can refer to:* Softball, a form of team sport similar to baseball* soft ball squash, the international form of Squash , as distinguished from hardball squash, the North American form...
diamonds, and a large fountain near the centre. It is larger than the Central Common, and is much more empty and open, making it suitable for organized sporting and recreation events. A public washroom was recently built on Cunard St.
The Central Common has more large fields, tennis courts, a soccer field, an outdoor city-owned swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
, skateboarding facilities, and a smaller fountain.
Playgrounds were recently replaced on the Central Common, because of concerns due to toxicity levels in the soil beneath the playground. Arsenic from playground wood that had been treated with chromated copper arsenate (CCA, which has since been discontinued in playground use in Halifax) had leached from the playground wood, into the soil.
Near the Cogswell street side of the Common is The Halifax Pavilion
The Halifax Pavilion
The Halifax Pavilion is an all-ages club residing on the Halifax Common in Halifax, Nova Scotia.- History :...
. The Pavilion is an all ages venue that showcases many different genres of music.
A portion of the Halifax Common has been temporarily converted into a 400-metre oval track, to host speed skating events in the Canadian Masters Championships, January 15 - 16, 2011 and the 2011 Canada Games, February 11-27, 2011. The oval is slated to be removed in March 2011. After initial delays opening, caused by unseasonably warm temperatures in HRM, the oval opened to tremendous response from the community. Hundreds of people have come out each day, for free skating, with some estimates placing attendance as high as 2000 people in a single day. Due to the overwhelming response, Halifax mayor Peter Kelly is calling for the fixture to be made permanent. District 12 Counsellor Dawn Sloane agrees the venue is very popular and is calling for studies on the long term costs of operating a permanent facility.
Location
The Halifax Common is centrally located on the Halifax peninsula, about a five minute walk to and from Downtown HalifaxDowntown Halifax
Downtown Halifax is the city centre of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern-central portion of the Halifax Peninsula, on Halifax Harbour, it serves as the business, entertainment, and tourism hub of the region.- Municipal:...
.
The square-shaped North Common is bordered by Cunard Street to the north, North Park street to the east, Cogswell street to the south, and Robie Street to the west. The Central Common is triangle shaped and is bordered by Cogswell Street to the north, Bell Road to the south-west, and Trollope Street to the south-east.
Events
The Common is now a popular outdoor concertConcert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
venue for the Halifax region. With its central location, it has direct walking access (approx. five to ten minutes walking east on Cogswell Street or Rainnie Drive) to Downtown Halifax
Downtown Halifax
Downtown Halifax is the city centre of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern-central portion of the Halifax Peninsula, on Halifax Harbour, it serves as the business, entertainment, and tourism hub of the region.- Municipal:...
and the Barrington Street Metro Transit
Metro Transit
There is more than one public transit system named Metro Transit. Some of the most significant include:* Metro Transit , serving Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia* Metro Transit , serving Kalamazoo, Michigan...
public transit terminal, with services providing connections to the rest of the city, the Halifax harbour ferry connecting with Downtown Dartmouth and Woodside, as well as the new Bus Rapid Transit service MetroLink
MetroLink (Halifax)
MetroLink is Halifax Regional Municipality's BRT express bus service, operated by Metro Transit.The system consists of three limited-stop fully accessible express routes, connecting downtown Halifax's Scotia Square bus terminal, with the Portland Hills terminal in Cole Harbour on the Dartmouth...
. During these shows, concert express and shuttle buses run directly to and from Common Park from various locations and are designated to operate along with the regular service Metro Transit offers.
| Date | Event Name | Performers | Event Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Royal Visit | Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales Diana, Princess of Wales Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century... |
est. 30,000–40,000 |
| 1984 | Papal Visit | Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ... |
80,000 |
| September 23, 2006 | A Bigger Bang Tour A Bigger Bang Tour A Bigger Bang Tour was a worldwide concert tour by The Rolling Stones which took place between August 2005 and August 2007, in support of their album A Bigger Bang... |
Rolling Stones, Kanye West Kanye West Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and... , Alice Cooper Alice Cooper Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades... , Sloan Sloan (band) Sloan is a Toronto-based alternative rock quartet from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout their 20-year tenure Sloan has released 10 LPs , two EPs, a live album, a "best of" collection and no less than thirty singles... |
55,000 |
| August 30, 2008 | Country Rocks 2008 | Keith Urban Keith Urban Keith Lionel Urban is a New Zealand-born Australian, country music singer, songwriter and guitarist whose commercial success has been mainly in the United States and Australia. Urban was born in New Zealand and began his career in Australia at an early age... , Charlie Major Charlie Major Charlie Major is a Canadian country music artist. He has recorded six studio albums and released more than twenty singles.... , Johnny Reid Johnny Reid Johnny Reid is a country music artist who has charted several hit singles in Canada. Reid moved to Canada in July, 1988 when he was 13. His father, a diesel mechanic, wanted to give Reid and his brother opportunities he did not think they would have in Scotland... , Aaron Pritchett Aaron Pritchett Aaron Pritchett is a Canadian country music singer. He was born in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.-Biography:... , Gretchen Wilson Gretchen Wilson Gretchen Frances Wilson is an American country music artist. She made her debut in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. The song served as the lead-off single of her debut album, Here for the Party... , Jimmy Rankin Jimmy Rankin Jimmy Rankin is a Canadian country and folk artist. A member of The Rankin Family, Rankin has also released four solo studio albums. As a solo artist, Rankin was named Roots Artist of the Year in 2002 by the Canadian Country Music Association... , Great Big Sea Great Big Sea Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk-rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador, best known for performing energetic rock interpretations of traditional Newfoundland folk songs including sea shanties, which draw from the island's 500-year-old Irish, English, and French heritage... |
30,000 |
| July 11, 2009 | Paul McCartney Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100... Live on the Common |
Paul McCartney Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100... , Joel Plaskett Joel Plaskett Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia... , Wintersleep Wintersleep Wintersleep is a Canadian indie rock band from Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Background:Wintersleep formed in 2001 and released two albums with Dependent Music, a music label and artists' collective that began in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 1994.... , Sierra Noble |
50,000 |
| July 18, 2009 | Halifax Rocks 2009 | KISS KISS (band) Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,... , Thornley Thornley (band) Thornley is a Canadian post-grunge/hard rock band formed by Ian Thornley in 2002. The band was started when Ian Thornley returned to Toronto after the breakup of his earlier band, Big Wreck. With the help of Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Thornley signed on to Kroeger's 604 Records... , The Trews The Trews The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, consisting of vocalist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Sean Dalton... , Econoline Crush Econoline Crush Econoline Crush is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada formed in 1992. Originally formed in Seattle, they eventually moved back to Vancouver... , The Novaks, Children of Eve Children of Eve Children of Eve is an alternative/progressive rock band from Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Starting off in 1994 as a cover band playing shows at local shows, the band began writing their own material shortly afterwards, eventually leading to their first six track demo... , Frankie Whyte |
40,000 |
| June 24–28, 2010 | Grand Chief Membertou 400 (Mawiomi Pow-wow) & Royal Visit | Royal Visit by Queen Elizabeth II, Buffy Sainte-Marie Buffy Sainte-Marie Buffy Sainte-Marie, OC is a Canadian Cree singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist. Throughout her career in all of these areas, her work has focused on issues of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Her singing and writing repertoire includes... , Schedule of events |
Unknown |
| July 24, 2010 | Halifax Rocks 2010 | The Black Eyed Peas The Black Eyed Peas The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide... , Weezer Weezer Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992... , Classified Classified (rapper) Luke Boyd , professionally known as Classified, is a Canadian rapper and producer from Enfield, Nova Scotia.-Career:... , Hot Hot Heat Hot Hot Heat Hot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one... , Rich Aucoin, The Jimmy Swift Band The Jimmy Swift Band The Jimmy Swift Band was a band from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada that combined elements of rock, jam, and electronica. Composed of Craig Mercer on guitar and vocals, Mike MacDougall on bass, Aaron Collier on keyboards and effects, and Doug Cameron on drums, the band was most often described as... , The Stanfields, Chad Hatcher |
20,000 |
| August 6 & 7 2010 | Country Rocks 2010 | Aug 6: Johnny Reid Johnny Reid Johnny Reid is a country music artist who has charted several hit singles in Canada. Reid moved to Canada in July, 1988 when he was 13. His father, a diesel mechanic, wanted to give Reid and his brother opportunities he did not think they would have in Scotland... , George Canyon George Canyon George Canyon is a Canadian country music singer. He was runner up Nashville Star 2 in 2004. He grew up in Fox Brook, Pictou County, Nova Scotia and later lived in Hopewell, Nova Scotia before he moved west. He currently lives in High River, Alberta... , One More Girl One More Girl One More Girl is a Canadian country music duo composed of actor-singers Carly McKillip and Britt McKillip, who are sisters. The duo signed to EMI Canada in 2008 and released their debut album, Big Sky, in 2009. In 2010, they won the Rising Star award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards... Aug 7: Alan Jackson Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista... , Billy Currington Billy Currington William Matthew "Billy" Currington is an American country music artist. Signed to Mercury Nashville Records in 2003, he has released four studio albums for the label: 2003's Billy Currington, 2005's Doin' Somethin' Right, 2008's Little Bit of Everything, and 2010's Enjoy Yourself... , Kevin Costner and Modern West Kevin Costner and Modern West Kevin Costner & Modern West is a rock/country band which Kevin Costner founded with the encouragement of his wife Christine. He began a worldwide tour with the band in October 2007, which included shows in Istanbul and Rome... , Lonestar Lonestar Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald , Michael Britt , Keech Rainwater , Dean Sams , and Michael Hill . McDonald left the band in November 2007 for a solo career before returning in 2011... |
- |
| January 15, 16 2011 | Canadian Masters Championships | Canada Games Oval Canada Games Oval The Canada Games Oval is a permanent skating rink/speed skating rink installed in Halifax, NS on the Halifax Commons for the 2011 Canada Games. It is the size of 3 NHL Hockey Rinks.-History and future:... |
|
| February 11 - 27, 2011 | 2011 Canada Games. | Canada Games Oval Canada Games Oval The Canada Games Oval is a permanent skating rink/speed skating rink installed in Halifax, NS on the Halifax Commons for the 2011 Canada Games. It is the size of 3 NHL Hockey Rinks.-History and future:... - long track speed skating competitions Speed skating at the 2011 Canada Winter Games Speed skating at the 2011 Canada Winter Games was held at the permanent Canada Games Oval in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The events will be held during the first week between February 12 and 16, 2011.-Men:-Women:... . |
|
Notes
Pre-2000
- In 1983, Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
were greeted by a large crowd on the Common during a visit to Halifax. - In 1984, 80,000 faithful attended a service by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
at the Common.
2006
- The Rolling Stones played on the Common as part of their A Bigger Bang TourA Bigger Bang TourA Bigger Bang Tour was a worldwide concert tour by The Rolling Stones which took place between August 2005 and August 2007, in support of their album A Bigger Bang...
. It was the largest concert the city has ever undertaken at the time, and a test-run for more concerts in the future. With an attendance of approx 55,000, the event was considered a success.
2009
- June/July 2009: In preparation for the upcoming events season on the Common, the City of Halifax invested a great amount of effort and money into preparing the Common for the concerts and future events. Ground preparation, amenities, grass seeding were all part of the effort to cut down on damaging effects from heavy equipment and foot traffic during the large events.
- July 11, a performance by Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
drew a reported crowd of 50,000 to the Common.
2010
- Grand Chief Membertou is a 4 day event held to celebrate the life and inspiration of Mi'kmaq saqamaw Henri MembertouHenri MembertouHenri Membertou was the sakmow of the Mi'kmaq First Nations tribe situated near Port Royal, site of the first French settlement in Acadia, present-day Nova Scotia, Canada. Originally sakmow of the Kespukwitk district, he was appointed as Grand Chief by the sakmowk of the other six districts.His...
. - Queen Elizabeth II's Royal visit to Canada began in Halifax and during her first afternoon in the city had stopped at the Common to experience and take part in the Membertou 400 celebration.
- Halifax Rocks 2010 was originally to be a 2 day music festivalMusic festivalA music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
held on the Common, however due to reasons not released by the concert promoter, the Friday concert, featuring Kid RockKid RockRobert James "Bob" Ritchie , known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and rapper with five Grammy Awards nominations...
and The Counting Crows had been cancelled. However The Jimmy Swift BandThe Jimmy Swift BandThe Jimmy Swift Band was a band from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada that combined elements of rock, jam, and electronica. Composed of Craig Mercer on guitar and vocals, Mike MacDougall on bass, Aaron Collier on keyboards and effects, and Doug Cameron on drums, the band was most often described as...
and The Stanfields were added to the Saturday bill.