🗞️ Looking great for 158

Happy Friday Halifax,

It’s hard to believe that June has pretty much come and gone and we’re on the cusp of the second most important birthday of the week (after mine, of course): Canada’s!

At a time when we all feel more patriotic than ever—brought together by the not-that-absurd fear of being abducted by the orange lunatic south of the border—let’s get out there this year and let our red hearts shine.

We’ve been through a lot as a country this year and we deserve to celebrate. So here’s what’s going on in Halifax on July 1, courtesy of our friends at Discover Halifax:

Royal International Tattoo Canada Day Parade | 10am

Catch the largest Canada Day parade east of Montreal as it makes its way through Downtown Halifax. The procession starts at the Scotiabank Centre and features over 25 groups and floats, including drumming, bagpipes, and more.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site | 9am–5pm

Enjoy free admission, witness the iconic noon gun firing and a 21-gun salute, explore the exhibit Fortress Halifax: A City Shaped by Conflict, and enjoy a slice of celebratory cake.

Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 | 9:30am–5:30pm

Take part in a cookie scavenger hunt, hands-on crafts, and engaging exhibitions—all with free admission. Don’t miss the special citizenship ceremony at 10am, followed by a spirited New Canadian Pep Rally at 11:30am.

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic | 9:30am–4:30pm

With free admission, immerse yourself in the rich history of the Maritimes. Discover the region’s pivotal role in Canadian history, from the Halifax Explosion to vital World War convoys.

Halifax Wanderers | 4pm

Cheer on the Wanderers in a festive Canada Day match and participate in family-friendly activities as excitement builds in Downtown Halifax.

Canada Day Fireworks Cruises | 9:45pm–11:45pm

Looking for a unique way to see the fireworks? Experience them from the water with Ambassatours. Choose between a family-friendly cruise aboard the Tall Ship Silva or a high-energy party cruise on the Harbour Queen—both offer unbeatable night sky views over the harbour.

Have a safe and restful long weekend! 🇨🇦🦫

– Julie

🌡️ Traffic & Weather

Today: 🌤️ 24°

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 21°

Next Day: 🌧️ 15°

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

MUSIC

From classroom to club: Halifax teacher makes DJ debut at Sunset Beats Festival

The Sunset Beats Festival is coming to Halifax this weekend. Local DJ Madison Saldarriaga, better known as Badi, will perform her first major set at the fast-growing music festival on June 29. This marks her breakthrough moment in her unconventional, double-life journey from the classroom to the club.

“I feel like I’m living the Hannah Montana life,” Badi laughed. “I’m DJing Sunday night, and I’m back teaching primary school Monday morning.” 

That dream took shape in Halifax, where she lives, teaches, and mixes deep house and techno tracks after hours. She credits her husband with first introducing her to DJ culture, and since then, she’s carved out space for herself in the city’s vibrant nightlife.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva has more with Madison 'Badi' Saldarriaga on balancing primary school teaching with her growing DJ career.

🤔 Need To Know

👀 Following a comprehensive review of policing in Nova Scotia, the province said it will introduce six “foundational” changes to improve public safety.

🏘️ The Nova Scotia government says only 60 tenants signed leases with landlords through a program that cost taxpayers $1.35 million over two years—the province first announced the program in August 2023 to help people find affordable housing. 

🚍 RCMP have charged a bus driver with criminal negligence after an 81-year-old man was found laying on the floor of an empty bus for more than 7 hours. 

🍻 Patio season’s peaking — and with Halifax Music Fest and Canada Day around the corner, The Pint’s already buzzing. Arrive early for front-row seats to Argyle’s best people-watching spot in the sun.*

🧺 Welcome home to Bayers Park I & II! Spacious, affordable living in Halifax’s West End. Near major transit routes with complimentary laundry facilities and parking. Ask about available incentives!*

🏙️ Discover upscale living in downtown Halifax! Welcome to The Paramount, ideally located on South Park Street, enjoy club and fitness room amenities, in-suite laundry, and walkable access to the best of the city. Live central!*

*Sponsored Post

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ARTS + CULTURE

Halifax designer Marie Webb brings "everybody" fashion to Supernova Market

“My designs are for everybody,” Marie Webb says. “I want people to feel powerful and colourful and proud.” 

Webb sketches away in her studio. She has got her collection ready to bring a vibrant splash of colour and purpose to this Saturday's Supernova Market. A Halifax-based designer, creative, and advocate, Webb brings her signature style to her first in-person market since the pandemic. She is a longtime champion for inclusion and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

At the market, Webb will be showcasing and selling one-of-a-kind wearable art that is entirely made in Halifax, hand-designed by Webb herself. The Coast caught up with Webb as she prepared for the big day.

🗞️ In Other News

🇱🇧 The province signed agreements with two universities in Lebanon to bring family doctors to Nova Scotia—a five-year memorandum of agreement with the Lebanese American University in Beirut commits the university to sending 10 ready-to-practice physicians to Nova Scotia.

🌡️ A Nova Scotia woman on income assistance who succeeded in forcing the province to pay for her air conditioner says she’s frustrated other low-income people won’t get the same relief.

⛪ Faculty and professional librarians at the Atlantic School of Theology could go on strike as early as July 1— the move is a response to a persistent and significant decline in compensation relative to peer institutions, the cost of living and inflation.

⛺ Halifax Regional Police say the death of a man last year at a Dartmouth tent encampment is now being investigated as a homicide—they’re looking for a woman as part of the case.

🏠 The wife of a lung transplant recipient who died in May says her family's attempt to save her husband's life has cost her their family home in Springhill—Donald Goguen, a Canadian navy veteran, died in May of complications from two lung transplants last year.

🔎 Twenty years later, police are still trying to find out what happened to a B.C. man who disappeared while visiting Halifax—he had been staying at the casino hotel and other private homes before he disappeared.

SPONSORED BY DOWNTOWN HALIFAX BUSINESS COMMISSION

110 Things to Do Downtown This Summer

If you’re looking to have some fun this summer but aren’t sure where to start, check out 110 Things to Do Downtown This Summer.

Featuring everything from ‘Unforgettable Experiences’ to ‘Free & Fun Events’, you can pack your summer with excitement and maybe even try something new.

Start planning your summer adventures in Downtown Halifax today!

SPONSORED BY YOUR MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

Underwater creatures come alive this summer!

Past and present collide in this amazing underwater exhibit! Explore the biggest, most famous and feared aquatic predators through time with Monsters of the Abyss.  Dive into the history of amazing prehistoric and modern day aquatic predators and learn about their ecology and why they were so feared. Learn about extinction level events and see the monsters in the oceans, rivers and lakes that are still around today!

Monsters of the Abyss is on view until September 7.

🗓️ Things To Do This Weekend

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 Gusto! Italian Festival: Don’t miss this first of its kind event as it brings the spirit of Italian culture, food and drink to the Halifax Waterfront. Over the course of the week, participating restaurants will feature Italian food and wine menus, with each restaurant showcasing different regions of Italy. | June 23-28 | 

🗓 Bedford Days 2025: Bedford Days kicks off on June 26 with a Seniors Dinner hosted by the Bedford Lions Club, featuring a meal, bingo, and silent auction in support of the local food pantry. The festivities continue with a family-friendly Summer Reading Kick-off Party on June 27 and a vibrant Coastal Makers Market on June 28, along with other community socials and evening events. Highlights on June 30 include Glow’s Fun Land, a robot-themed kids’ party, and an outdoor screening of The Wild Robot. Celebrations culminate on Canada Day, July 1, with pancakes, amusement rides, live entertainment, a beer fest, and a fireworks finale at DeWolf Park. | June 26-July 1 | 

🗓 12 Tides: Wines of Nova Scotia invites you to celebrate the release of the 2024 vintage of Nova Scotia's Signature Wine, Tidal Bay. With 16 Tidal Bay wines to try —the most to ever be released in a single year — this event is one you won't want to miss. | June 27 | 7pm | $85 |

🗓 Harland Williams: Canadian icon Harland Williams is set to bring his unique brand of comedy to Halifax for one night only! You may recognize him from films like Half Baked, Dumb & Dumber, and his appearances on Kill Tony. | June 27 | 7pm | $45 |

🗓 2025 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo: Audiences from far and wide—and performers from every continent—have loved the Tattoo since its inception in 1979. In the decades since, it has become the kick-off to summer: everyone knows they’ll find superior entertainment at the Tattoo. There’s something for everyone: marching bands, acrobats, dancers, military displays, pipes and drums, and much more! | June 27-July 1 | 

🗓 Halifax Music Fest: 
Friday, June 27: Nickelback, The Glorious Sons, Big Wreck, Tenille Townes
Saturday, June 28: Lenny Kravitz, Amanda Marshall, Terra Lightfoot
Sunday, June 29: The Killers, ALVVAYS, Lights, Said The Whale

🗓 Supernova Market: This free Community Event is being held outside on the beautiful waterfront in the heart of Downtown Halifax on the foundation wharf. Enjoy an unforgettable day of shopping in the marketplace, with vendors joining us from all across Atlantic Canada. The container stage will be booming with live music for your enjoyment! | June 28 | 1pm | Free |

🗓 Rainbow Vision Market & More: Join this unforgettable celebration of creativity, identity, and community, featuring over 60 LGBTQIA+ artists, crafters, and creators! From bold art and zines to eco-conscious home goods, custom apparel, jewelry, and more, every booth offers something special, all crafted with love and intention. | June 28-29 | 

🗓 Harbourside Ribfest: Don’t miss the biggest food event of the summer and the largest 100% volunteer-run event hosted by Rotary Halifax Harbour. Proceeds from sponsorship, vendor fees, bar sales, and entry fees support local and international causes. The event will host five unique rib trucks, exciting local vendors and live entertainment. | June 28-July 1 | $2 |

⚓️ What’s In The Harbour

➡️ The One Aquilla container ship leaves Halifax for Singapore at 4:30am.

🚢➡️ The Zim Asia container ship arrives in Halifax from Valencia, Spain at 6:20am and leaves for New York at 6pm.

➡️ The CSL Tarantau bulk carrier leaves Halifax for Tampa, FL at 8am.

🚢➡️ The Atlantic Star container ship arrives in Halifax from Norfolk at 3:20pm and leaves for Liverpool at 11:30pm.

➡️ The Oceanex Sanderling container ship leaves Halifax for St. John’s at 6pm.

🚢 The Algoscotia oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Sydney at 6:15pm.

➡️ The Nolhan Ava container ship leaves Halifax for Argentia at 10pm.

🚢 The Acadian oil tanker arrives in Halifax from Boston at 10:40pm.

➡️ The Titania vehicle carrier leaves Halifax for New York at 11pm.

🍴 Where To Eat & Drink

🍔 It’s back on the menu and it’s here for good! Start the weekend off right with The Bacon Jam QP at Wave Foods inside The Local: ¼ pound smash patty, bacon jam, melted cheese, lettuce, pickle, Wave sauce on a brioche bun.

🐐 Start your meal off right with the Goat Cheese Fritters at Morris East: crispy herbed goat cheese fritters, marinated golden beats, pickled red onions, mixed greens, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.

👀 In Case You Missed It

🌟 Two rising stars with Halifax roots are making waves in the television world, showcasing not only their talent but the growing influence of Nova Scotia’s film and television industry. Yenuki Hordagoda and Noah Gillard—both emerging actors—have landed roles in high-profile productions filmed in the region. The Coast’s Warren D’Silva spoke to the talent and a talent scout to find out how this came about and what’s in store for the future of aspiring actors in Halifax. 

🎤 Breagh Isabel has a song to make your Pride Month even more prideful. “Carrie” dropped on streaming platforms on June 25. The pop tune, co-written and produced by Nashville-based singer-producer Robyn Dell’Unto, details the wistful daydream of creating a character out of a stranger. The new single was one of several Isabel recorded for her upcoming debut EP, and even has a visualizer directed by Halifax-based director Griffin O’Toole. The Coast’s Brendyn Creamer has more, through his conversation with Isabel as we head into Pride Month.

✏️ Editor’s Note

There will be no Coast Daily on Monday, June 30, but we will be back after Canada Day on July 2. INSIDERS will receive their newsletter as usual on Saturday, June 28.

Have a wonderful Canada Day break 🍁

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