In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Halifax Common, Friends of Halifax Common organized one big party. On October 4, 5 & 6th, 2013 we  hosted 3 days of over 50 events to commemorate the gift of the Halifax Common “to and for the use of the inhabitants of the Town of Halifax as Common forever,” by King George III in 1763.

Over 11,000 people came out to join the festivities,  and share the food and fun during the 3-day celebration.

The events included a series of public walks & talks on and about the Halifax Common.  Eight commissioned works to Celebrate the Common included theatre, circus & dance performances, exhibitions, sculptures & installations.  Lots of activities happened throughout the entire area of the Common – meditation, yoga, cricket, baseball, kite-flying, henna tattooing, biking, bike-repair, drumming and potlucks.

Two books were published to highlight the history and place of the Halifax Common in the everyday lives of the people of Halifax.  Gaspereau Press and FHC launched a special anthology of original poems, “Writing the Common”.  These were selected from submissions to a special request from over thirty  authors inspired by the Common.

And a commemorative collection of archival images and maps contrasted with present day photos by Alvin Comiter documenting 250 years of the Common was be exhibited and printed, “Celebrate the Common”.