Celebrating the Countdown to the Games

Get out, get active, and celebrate the spirit of the Canada Games. The Halifax 2011 Canada Games is celebrating the one year countdown to the Games by offering more than 20 free public events that promote sport and encourage physical activity.

The celebration begins Thursday, Feb. 11, exactly one year from the opening ceremonies of the Canada Games, and runs until Feb. 16, Nova Scotia Day at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, and in Halifax.

The Halifax 2011 Games sport venues are celebrating by opening their doors to the community, giving everyone a chance to get active while enjoying the facilities that will soon host Canada's future champions. Activities include public skates, a family swim, curling, skiing and snowboarding lessons, and admission to a hockey game. Some events require a pass or pre-registration. Passes and the complete schedule of events can be found online at www.canadagames2011.ca .

Throughout the week, live sport demonstrations and interactive games will happen in unexpected places around HRM. Times and locations will be announced via Facebook and Twitter shortly before they begin.

The festivities reach their peak during Nova Scotia Day Celebration in Halifax Grand Parade on Feb. 16, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature a celebrity street hockey game, live music, video displays, prize draws and seasonal refreshments.

In honour of the 2011 Countdown Celebration, the 2011 Games flag will be flown outside Province House from Feb. 11 to 16 and Halifax Regional Municipality will proclaim Feb. 9 to 16 as Canada Games Week.

The celebration will spread to communities across Nova Scotia such as Digby, Amherst, Windsor, Queens County and Bridgetown, where local recreation facilities are hosting free events to promote sport, recreation and physical activity in their area.

Schools in HRM and beyond are catching the spirit of the Games by hosting a Canada Games Day on Feb. 16.