[Note: the robots will be posting this one, since I’m sleeping in today!]

It’s July 1st, which means Canada Day!  It’s the day we celebrate… [quickly references wikipedia] the joining of the colonies of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to the province of Canada (made up of Quebec and Ontario), thus making one giant country (under the British Empire) called Canada!

How can you celebrate Canada Day?  Well, if you’re in Halifax (and you don’t want to click on the link) you can do some of the following:

8am to 9:30am – Free pancake breakfast at the Grand Parade or at Alderney Landing (while supplies last).  Also, flag raising and singing of O, Canada.

10:30am to 11:30am – Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Parade.  Goes around the Citadel (via Spring Garden Rd). Probably has a lot of bands, drummers and bagpipes.

11am to 1:30pm – Free admission to the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.  The official opening ceremonies, including a 21 gun salute, a fly-past, and cake at 12:30pm.  (I think you can get into the Citadel for free all day, not just at those times).

2pm to 4pm – Free concert at the Public Gardens featuring The Memphis Knights.  Also free maple cookies (while supplies last).

5pm to 11:59pm – Free concert at Alderney landing featuring: Alert the Medic (5:15); The Belle Game (6:15); Ben Caplan (7:15); July Talk (8:15) and The Sam Roberts Band (9:30).

10pm to 10:10pm – Fireworks display.  Best spot to see them is at Alderney Landing.  (If they’re shoot them off the bridge then the Halifax waterfront can be hit-or-miss, depending on where you’re standing.)

Happy Canada Day!