International ships to sail into Halifax for city’s first fleet week
Halifax: A city known for its naval history, home to many sailors, and where the Arctic and offshore patrol ships are being built.
So to the Royal Canadian Navy and government officials, it’s about time that the city hosts its first Halifax International Fleet Week.
Halifax MP Andy Fillmore was all smiles at a news conference aboard HMCS Sackville docked along the Halifax waterfront on Tuesday as he had been pushing Halifax to host its own fleet week – which it is set to do from Sept. 7-10.
Join us for the Inaugural Halifax International Fleet Week (HIFW), September 7-10. ⚓ Learn more about our work, meet our sailors, tour a ship, hear the Stadacona Band and find out how you can join us.
📣 Check back here for updates.
➡️ https://t.co/pzW4tW1cm4 #HIFW #WeTheNavy pic.twitter.com/tIoR0EBFhL— Royal Canadian Navy (@RoyalCanNavy) August 15, 2023
“As Haligonians, we all understand in our bones how important our armed forces are because we see it everyday,” Fillmore said.
“At the Citadel Hill and Point Pleasant Park, whether it’s the armoury on the Common, Willow Park … the navy ships that dot the waterfront and fly the waters of Kjipuktuk, the great harbour here, they are ever present.”
The event is expected to draw in more than 1,200 sailors from the U.S., U.K., France and Germany, as well as sailors who work aboard HMCS Charlottetown, HMCS Fredericton and other Canadian vessels.
For Rear Admiral Josée Kurtz, commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic, Halifax International Fleet Week is an opportunity for not only the Royal Canadian Navy but also the city.
“The celebration will showcase Halifax as Canada’s defence and ocean hub with the variety of events being put on by the organizations,” Kurtz said, giving a nod to the new NATO defence innovation accelerator office that is expected to be operational in HRM in 2025.
Kurtz encouraged people to check out the four-day event, where people will be able to set foot on some of the Royal Canadian Navy ships and speak with members of the Canadian Armed Forces. A valid government ID is required to tour the ships, and people may be subject to a bag search.
“Nova Scotia’s history is tied to the sea and to the ships like the ones we will host for fleet week,” Kurtz said.
“We encourage people to join in and celebrate our Maritime heritage together.”
There will also be a Stadacona Band concert on the Halifax waterfront, rugby match between the Atlantic Selects and Royal Navy rugby team at the Wanderers Grounds and ceilidh at New Scotland Brewing Co. in Dartmouth.
We’re going back to Wanderers Grounds this September 9th! As part of Halifax International Fleet Week we will be hosting the Royal Navy Rugby Union from the United Kingdom for an exciting afternoon of rugby and celebrating our proud naval history and that of our allies! pic.twitter.com/ogNKnkgnQp
— Atlantic Selects Rugby (@AtlanticSelects) August 15, 2023
Halifax Mayor Mike Savage took note of how important Halifax International Fleet Week will be to local businesses.
“I saw a study that says Durty Nelly’s could sell up to $85 million worth of beer during fleet week, which is about the same as they do before the Wanderers’ games,” Savage said with a laugh.
But on a more serious note, Savage acknowledged how important the event is to celebrate the more than 10,000 Department of National Defence staff who work in HRM, as well as those who have previously served.
“As we grow into an increasingly international city we remain, in many ways, a military town,” he said.
“We owe much of our rich history and culture to the military presence that has long been a part of daily life in this port city.”
Halifax International Fleet Week will wrap up on Sept. 10 with a parade of ships that will set sail at noon.
