Royal Couple to View Spectacular Events
NOTE: A social media release with hi-res downloadable photographs, audio and video clips is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2010-06-15-royal-tour.asp .
A stunning naval show punctuated with a Snowbirds aerial display, an event recognizing community-minded Nova Scotians and the cultural experience of DRUM!, an enthusiastic welcome and a closeup look at a Mi'kmaq cultural village, highlight the itinerary for the Royal Couple's tour of Nova Scotia from June 28 to 30.
The official itinerary for the 2010 Royal Tour to Canada of Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh was released today, June 15.
"I encourage Nova Scotians to attend as many of these exciting events as possible," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "Not only will they be impressive and entertaining, they offer a rare opportunity to be a part of history. This is only the fifth time the Royal Couple have toured Nova Scotia, and the first since 1994."
While the Garrison Grounds welcome will kick off the public portion of the tour, the only event the province will host is the Celebration of Nova Scotia event June 29 at the Cunard Centre. It will spotlight the province's culture and people from all walks of life who have made significant contributions to their communities.
"The Celebration of Nova Scotia event will reflect the history and accomplishments of the province and its people," said Premier Dexter. "This is a great opportunity to showcase to the Royal Couple outstanding Nova Scotians who have done and continue to do great work for their communities, the province and the country."
The tour will begin at 2:20 p.m., June 28, when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are scheduled to land at Halifax Stanfield International Airport. The Royal Couple will be greeted before travelling to the official public welcome ceremony at the Garrison Grounds at 3 p.m.
They will be met by Canadian dignitaries, Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis, Premier Darrell Dexter and Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Peter Kelly, as well as thousands of people who are expected to attend the event. It will feature performances, the Queen's only planned remarks during the Nova Scotia tour and a walkabout. It will also be broadcast live.
The Royal Couple will then attend a Mi'kmaq cultural event on the Halifax Common at 3:55 p.m., which will include a tour of a display recreating a traditional Mi'kmaq village.
The village is part of Membertou 400, to honour the 400th anniversary of the baptism of Grand Chief Membertou.
"Our people have a great respect for the Queen and the fact that the Queen is taking time to be with us is going to mean a great deal to all of us," said Sister Dorothy Moore, a Mi'kmaq educator, human rights activist and Order of Nova Scotia recipient. "And it will go down in history that the Queen visited us in 2010 to mark this great celebration of the 400th anniversary."
This will be followed by a rededication ceremony of Government House with Lt.-Gov. Mayann Francis.
One of the highlights of the tour will be the International Fleet Review, a spectacular showcase to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy on June 29. It will feature a number of Canadian vessels, 17 foreign ships and an international flypast, followed by an aerial display by the Snowbirds, the Canadian Forces' world famous aerobatic flying team.
"The men and women of Canada's Navy are honoured and delighted that Her Majesty The Queen, along with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, will review the international fleet assembled in Halifax Harbour to salute our 100th Anniversary," said Rear Admiral Paul Maddison, Commander of Maritime Forces Atlantic. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and the participation of Her Majesty makes the occasion even more meaningful."
The Queen will begin the day's itinerary at a luncheon at CFB Halifax before going to the Bedford Institute of Oceanography at 2 p.m. for the fleet review. After sailing down the harbour, the Queen will unveil a plaque to commemorate the Canadian Naval Centennial. The Royal Couple will then meet veterans during a walkabout on the dock beside HMCS Sackville and participate in a plaque unveiling recognizing the ship and the contributions made by Canadian veterans.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Visitor Information Centre near the museum wharf will be closed for the day, June 29.
Royal tours create memories that last a lifetime for many. That will certainly be the case for Cassidy McCarthy. The 11-year-old Shad Bay resident and a Premier's Power of Positive Change Awards recipient, will be one of the flower presenters during the Nova Scotia leg of the tour. She will present the Queen with a bouquet before she leaves for Ottawa at 11:10 a.m. on June 30.
"I've been practicing my curtsey," said Cassidy. "I'm really, really excited and I just can't wait."
The Royal Couple will also visit Ontario and Manitoba during their June 28 to July 6 Canada tour.
Photo scrapbooks of previous royal tours to Nova Scotia can be viewed until July 4, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Province House, Halifax.
For more information on the Nova Scotia portion of the tour, visit www.gov.ns.ca/royaltour/ , and follow @royalvisit on Twitter. For information on the entire Canadian tour, visit www.royaltour.gc.ca .