MARITIME FORCES ATLANTIC

 

CANADIAN NAVAL CENTENNIAL  EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Updated 14 January 2010

 

Fall 2009/Early 2010                                       Namesake Cities Presentations

Every community, including First Nations, for which a Canadian naval vessel was named, will be presented with a framed photograph of their ship with accompanying historical text. Research has shown that some 320 Canadian community names have been used to honour Canadian warships since 1910.  Canadian warships carry these names with the utmost pride, and those still in service continue to value and promote the relationship between ship and the community that their predecessors established and enjoyed before them. Maritime Forces Atlantic will present 91 namesake city plaques to assigned communities from Newfoundland Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario.

 

20 November  2009                                           Centennial Bell Rope Judging

HMCS Sackville                                                  A competition to make the bell rope that will hang from the Centennial Bell was conducted in the Fall of 2009. The judging ceremony took place onboard HMCS Sackville on 20 November. In total, 15 entries were submitted by serving and retired members of the Navy. The winning bell rope was produced by CPO2 David Lowther, Base Regulating CPO, CFB Esquimalt. Both bell and rope will be presented to the Nation during a ceremony in Ottawa on 4 May 2010.

 

01 January 2010                                                              Centennial Flag Raising

Grand Parade, HRM                                           Military personnel joined the Mayor and Councillors of Halifax Regional Municipality to ring in the New Year by raising the Naval Centennial Flag on the Grand Parade in downtown Halifax.

 

02 February 2010                                              William Hall, V.C. - Commemorative Stamp Unveiling

Dartmouth, NS                                                     In affiliation with the Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia and Canada Post, Maritime Forces Atlantic will be celebrate the historic unveiling of an International Commemorative Stamp to Honour Petty Officer William Hall, V.C.  On 15 February 1859, Petty Officer Hall became the first man of  colour, the first Nova Scotian and the first sailor to be named a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the British Empire’s highest award for Bravery.

 

30 April 2010                                                      Naval Waters Ceremony

HMCS Sackville                                                  As a prelude to the Centennial Bell ceremony in Ottawa, the waters collected by East and West coast ships will be brought together and blessed before being transported to Ottawa for a dedication ceremony. This ceremony will take place on HMCS Sackville.

April - October 2010.                                        Stadacona Band Road Show

Halifax, NS                                                           The Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic will visit select cities and towns in Ontario, Quebec and eastern Canada to perform a musical tribute to 100 Years of Naval Service to Canada.  The aim of this event is to bring the Canadian Navy to Canadians through a national traveling musical show highlighting a century of history and naval service to Canada.  To find out if the Road Show will play in your city, visit the Stadacona Band Web Page at http://www.stadband.ca/

 

01 May – 16 July 2010                                     Art Exhibition

Halifax, NS                                                           The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has partnered with Maritime Forces Atlantic to produce an exhibition that celebrates 100 years of the Navy’s presence in the city of Halifax. The exhibition will be on display at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia from 1 May – 16 July 2010.

 

May 2010                                                             Point Pleasant Park Restoration

Point Pleasant Park, Halifax                             To commemorate the Navy’s 100th Anniversary, 100 oak saplings will be planted at Point Pleasant Park in the vicinity of the Halifax Memorial. These trees will help repair the damage caused by Hurricane Juan. This initiative will recognize the long standing partnership between the Navy and Halifax Regional Municipality and will involve retired and presently serving military members.

 

02 May 2010                                                       Battle of the Atlantic Sunday

Point Pleasant Park, Halifax                             Battle of the Atlantic Sunday commemorates the Naval and Merchant Marine victory in keeping the Atlantic sea lanes open and merchant traffic mobile during the Second World War, and allows for the remembrance of those who died at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic. This ceremony will consist of a parade and wreath laying service at Point Pleasant Park in Halifax.

 

04 May 2010                                                       Freedom of the City - Navy Day

Halifax, NS                                                           To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy, the men and women of Maritime Forces Atlantic will participate in a Freedom of the City parade. All MARLANT military personnel, regardless of environmental affiliation, will take part in this activity. This event will take place at the Grand Parade in front of City Hall.

 

04 May 2010                                                       Naval Enrolment Ceremony - A Naval Enrolment Ceremony

Halifax, NS                                                           will take place on the quarterdeck of a Canadian warship. This ceremony will serve as an opportunity to welcome the “Sailors of the Next Century”.      

 

Spring 2010                                                         Flower Gardens                                                 

Halifax, NS                                                           Flower gardens using a Canadian Naval Centennial theme will be planted in gardens located at the McKay Bridge approaches and at the Halifax Public Gardens.

 

28 June - 02 July  2010                                     International Fleet Review Week

Halifax, NS                                                           An International Fleet Review Week will take place in Halifax during the period 28 June – 02 July 2010. Approximately 22 foreign ships will be visiting Halifax and it is anticipated that many of these ships will be open to visitors throughout the week. It is expected that more than 5,000 sailors will take advantage of some good old maritime hospitality during their visit. Halifax will definitely be the “place to be” in the Summer of 2010.

 

29 June 2010                                                       International Fleet Review

Halifax, NS                                                           To mark the Canadian Naval Centennial, an International Fleet Review will be held in Halifax on 29 June 2010.  Participating ships will be at anchor in the Bedford Basin/Halifax Harbour and crews from all participating nations will man their ship’s side and pay compliments as the official reviewing party passes by. The last Fleet Review to take place in Halifax occurred on 28 June 1985; therefore, be sure to take advantage of this rare opportunity to witness foreign ships gathered to participate in a formal international event.

 

30 June – 08 July 2010                                     Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Halifax,NS                                                            One of the themes for the 2010 Tattoo will be dedicated to 100 years of Naval Service to Canada and will feature more than 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers.  As in previous years, this spectacular event will be the highlight of the summer for many visitors to Halifax. It will certainly be a show that you will not want to miss.

 

Summer 2010                                                      Point Pleasant Park Signage

Halifax, NS                                                           Interpretive signage will be installed at the Canadian Sailors Peacetime Memorial (Bonaventure Anchor) and the Halifax Memorial.

 

Summer 2010                                                      Dedication Ceremonies – Public Parks in HRM

Halifax, NS                                                           A number of dedication ceremonies will be held throughout the Summer to commemorate ships lost during the Battle of Atlantic and to “bring the navy to Canadians”. Planned activities include the unveiling of naval artifacts in Commodore Park and Dewolf Park.

 

Summer 2010                                                      STV Tuna

Halifax area                                                         Throughout the Centennial Year, STV Tuna will represent the navy at a number of races and regattas up and down Nova Scotia’s coastline. To ensure the centennial message is being delivered both on land and at sea, the crew will proudly be raising a new spinnaker sporting the naval centennial crest.  Wishing you fair winds and following seas….   Go Tuna!!

 

August 2010                                                         MARLANT Naval Centennial Ball

Halifax, NS                                                           One of the highlights of Centennial Year will undoubtedly be the MARLANT Naval Centennial Ball.  This gala event will be held at the Halifax World Trade and Convention Center on Saturday, 7 August and it is expected that over 900 guests will join together to celebrate the Navy’s 100th Anniversary.