Halifax International Fleet Week Embraced by Community Partners

Dozens of participating Restaurants and Museums, Fleet Week Pilsner, Waterfront Pyrotechnic Show, Youth Captain for a Day program and Fleet Week run announced.

(Halifax, NS) --  Halifax International Fleet Week (HIFW) is being welcomed by the community at large with dozens of tourism and hospitality features including a signature beer, a 6km run, a youth captain for a day program and a pyrotechnic show on Friday Sept. 8th.

“There has been tremendous excitement across the board since our program announcement,” said Paul McKinnon executive director of the Downtown Halifax Business Commission. “Recognizing service members is clearly something that runs deep within our community, and it shows in the way partners are stepping up.”

The Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia throughout the downtown area have pulled together a robust program for the over 1200 visiting and the thousands of at home Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. “As crews prepare to dock and open their ships to the public next week dozens of restaurants have joined what we’re billing as the ‘sailor specials’ program,” said Joe McGuinness, with the HIFW Community Committee. “All of this illustrates our reverence and appreciation for all those who serve and our desire to welcome our friends and allies ashore.” Many participating partners have curated hospitality offerings for visiting and at home sailors during Fleet Week with various deals and discounts. Offers require the presentation of ID which includes the CF one card for veterans, military members, and their families. A complete listing of specials can be found here.

Family Fun at Fleet Week -- The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, The Discovery Centre, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic are also opening their doors to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families with events and free admission. Offers can be found at our home page and may require the presentation of military ID. A family fun zone will also be located on the harbour side of the Grass at Salter with complimentary bouncy castles for everyone.

A special Salute to the Fleet pyrotechnic show is scheduled for Friday evening Sept. 8th and will be visible from public spaces along the waterfront between the Salt Yard and Pier 21. “The location of this show is symbolic to both the civilian community and CAF members in that we will see the sky over the actual embarkation site of World War II deployments illuminated,” said Member of Parliament for Halifax, Andy Fillmore. “This is another opportunity for us all to join together in a shared moment of celebrating service.”

Fleet Week Captain for a Day Program -- Two Auburn High School grade 11 students from Dartmouth Nova Scotia will participate in the HIFW Captain for a Day program. “We are so proud to partner with the inaugural Halifax International Fleet Week,” said Principal Karen Hudson. “Unique opportunities like this leave a lasting impact on our students, we are grateful to the community committee and the Royal Canadian Navy.”

Fleet Week 6K Run -- The North End Runners (NER) are organizing a Special 6K Run, on Sept. 9th at 9 am in recognition of Halifax International Fleet Week. "This friendly distance run is the perfect way for visiting and local service members to get in a morning workout while taking in the sights," said Sarah Riley, NER Director. "The North End is a truly unique place that's also home to so many service members. It's the perfect opportunity to mark this week with a run and extend our thanks on behalf of the whole crew for their commitment and service. We hope it'll become a yearly Fleet Week tradition."

Signature Fleet Week Pilsner -- Alexander Keith’s Nova Scotia Brewery has brewed a signature Fleet Week Pilsner in celebration of the event and in honor of the Canadian Armed Forces. “Nova Scotia has a long tradition of brewing home-grown beers that have become the refreshment of choice for many local and visiting sailors for generations,” said Wade Keller of Labatt. “We could not be more excited to support the Halifax International Fleet Week.”

About - Halifax International Fleet Week will showcase Halifax as Canada's defence and ocean hub with participation from Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) service members from across the country as well as the United States, Germany, England, and France.  Sailors will congregate in the historic garrison town from Sept. 7-10 to enjoy an extended weekend of camaraderie, sportsmanship, legendary maritime hospitality, and the ability to extend and demonstrate our international allyship. The week coincides with the RCN offshore exercise CUTLASS FURY 2023. In addition to bringing people from around the world to experience the beauty and hospitality of Halifax, Fleet Week will inspire young Canadians to explore the boundless opportunities in the Forces. CAF recruitment will be present in various locations throughout the event footprint along the waterfront and at venues throughout downtown. The program includes public ship tours, CAF booths, an esprit de corps rugby match, a series of musical performances on the waterfront at Queen’s Marque, and at participating venues in Halifax.

Halifax International Fleet Week is made possible by Lockheed Martin, Amazon Canada, Thales Group, BAE Systems, the Port of Halifax and is a collaboration between the Royal Canadian Navy, Build Nova Scotia, Discover Halifax, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission and is supported by ACOA, the Province of Nova Scotia and Q104.

A Celebration of Service at Sea

(Halifax, NS) – Halifax International Fleet Week will showcase Halifax as Canada's defence and ocean hub with participation from Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) service members from across the country as well as the United States, Germany, England, and France.  Sailors will congregate in the historic garrison town from Sept. 7-10 to enjoy an extended weekend of camaraderie, sportsmanship, legendary maritime hospitality, and the ability to extend and demonstrate our international allyship. The week coincides with the RCN offshore exercise CUTLASS FURY 2023.

“Halifax International Fleet Week leverages the power of community partnerships with Maritime Forces Atlantic, in a city which has been home to a naval presence for generations. This is an opportunity for us to open our doors to the communities that support each and every one of us. It allows Halifax to see the work we do, and the people who do it to accomplish the mission of the Royal Canadian Navy, both at home and around the world,” said Rear-Admiral Josée Kurtz, Commander Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic.

Fleet Week will harness the energy of Halifax’s pivotal role as a key international port and staging ground during war times and will again showcase its strategic significance as the new NATO base for DIANA, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic. “It is meaningful to be announcing the Fleet Week program here today as it also marks the anniversary of the end of World War II,” said Member of Parliament Andy Fillmore. “Halifax understands inherently what the Navy and the Armed Forces mean to our city, our country, and the world. We have a proud legacy of leveraging our natural geographic advantages to answer the call of duty and protect Canadian interests."

In addition to bringing people from around the world to experience the beauty and hospitality of Halifax, Fleet Week will inspire young Canadians to explore the boundless opportunities in the Forces. CAF recruitment will be present in various locations throughout the event footprint along the waterfront and at venues throughout downtown.

The program includes public ship tours, CAF booths, an esprit de corps rugby match, a series of musical performances on the waterfront at Queen’s Marque, and at participating venues in Halifax. “Our downtown business community has really embraced Fleet Week, with complimentary admissions, tours and discounts for service members, it is really inspiring to see how animated and enthusiastic everyone is to recognize and thank all those who serve their country,” said Paul MacKinnon DHBC Executive Director.

“It will be a busy weekend, one that harkens back to another era in our city’s history while looking forward to a growing complement of visiting international Navy ships to Halifax every September.” There will be seven participating ships from Canada in Halifax International Fleet Week as well as ships from several other countries arriving for Exercise CUTLASS FURY.

Halifax International Fleet Week is made possible by Lockheed Martin, Amazon Web Services Canada, Thales Group, BAE Systems and is a collaboration between the Royal Canadian Navy, Build Nova Scotia, Discover Halifax, and the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.