{"id":135095,"date":"2025-11-24T22:46:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T03:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/?post_type=newsletter_sections&p=135095"},"modified":"2025-11-25T10:55:35","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:55:35","slug":"oh-the-year-was-1778","status":"publish","type":"newsletter_sections","link":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/newsletter_sections\/oh-the-year-was-1778\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Ready for Halifax 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cOh, the year was 1778\u2026\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Submitted by Dr. Lori Beach, Chair, Conference Planning Committee, Halifax 2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Cscc<\/p>\n

In preparation for CSCC Halifax 2026, it is essential that you know that the ONLY correct response to the first line of Stan Roger\u2019s \u201cBarrett\u2019s Privateers\u201d is a lusty chorus of, \u201cHow I wish I was in Sherbrooke noooowwwwww!\u201d You can mumble your way through most of the next bit, but be sure to join on, \u201c(GD) them all, I was told we\u2019d cruise the seas for American gold. We\u2019d fire no guns, shed no teeeeeeeears. Now I\u2019m a broken man on a Halifax pier, the last of Barrett\u2019s Privateeeeeers.\u201d Now, if you really want to be prepared, have a listen to \u201cHeave Away\u201d, \u201cHome for a Rest\u201d, and be kitchen-party-ready with other East Coast favourites: Alan Doyle, Great Big Sea, Anne Murray, the Barra MacNeils, the Trews, Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster, the Stanfields\u2026<\/p>\n

Welcome to Halifax – P’jilita’q wla Kjipuktuk!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 CSCC Annual Meeting organizing committee is excited to welcome you to Halifax for our 70th<\/sup> Anniversary Conference, \u201cNavigating the Tides of Discovery\u201d.\u00a0 While upcoming articles will highlight the stellar scientific program, allow me to give you a flavour of the city I\u2019ve made home for the past 10 years.<\/p>\n

Founded in 1749, and chosen for its deep harbour, Halifax remains a major port, is home to the Canadian navy\u2019s Atlantic fleet, and is known for its history, vibrant food and music scene and waterfront, and as the gateway to \u201cCanada\u2019s Ocean Playground\u201d, Nova Scotia.<\/p>\n

\"Marriott<\/p>\n

The conference venue is the Mariott Waterfront Hotel, right on the Halifax boardwalk. Halifax\u2019s recently revitalized boardwalk spans nearly 5km and links cultural, historic, and other unique tourist attractions, interspersed with bountiful food and drink options. Take in the Queen\u2019s Marque Steps, the Blue Wave, the Get Drunk, Fall Down sculptures (we do have among the highest number of pubs per capita), and wander the Salt Yard social.<\/p>\n

\"Halifax<\/p>\n

From the boardwalk you can catch your booked tours: harbour cruises, whale watching, the ever-popular Harbour Hopper (Ribbit), rent bicyles, scooters, or segways, or just hang out in the Waterfront Hammocks. Not-to-be-missed is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Canada\u2019s oldest and largest maritime museum, where the history of the Royal Canadian and Merchant Navies, WWII convoys, the Battle of the Atlantic, the Halifax Explosion of 1917, and the Titanic Disaster are featured.<\/p>\n

Bring Good Shoes!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re ready to venture a bit further, The Discovery Centre is perfect for the family and aims to bring STEAM to life with interactive learning experiences. Close by is the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 (hint, hint, we\u2019ll get to spend some quality time at this venue as part of the conference activities!). Looking for art? Among others, the Prow Gallery and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia are steps away from the boardwalk. Looking for a leg workout? You\u2019ve found it! Venturing up (literally) from the boardwalk you\u2019ll start to head into more of historic Halifax and the shopping districts.<\/p>\n

\"Tower<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss Citadel Hill, a National Historic site, and don\u2019t be alarmed if you hear the 12pm cannon fire. If you love architecture, historic churches abound, some pubs and restaurants boast historic vibes, and check out the Halifax Central Library, striking for its cantilevered fifth floor, atria, rooftop terrace, and light-swept views to enjoy coffee, books, and community events. When you\u2019re ready for some shopping, Spring Garden Road in downtown Halifax features a blend of boutique local and internationally recognizable shops, as well as vintage gems for antiques and consignment treasures.<\/p>\n

\"Park\"<\/p>\n

At the corner of Spring Garden and South Park streets, you\u2019ll have encountered the main gates of Halifax Public Gardens \u2013 established in 1874 and remaining one of the \u201cfinest surviving examples of a Victorian garden in North America\u201d. While the garden will be rather sleepy still in early May, it is a highlight of my morning walk from the ferry to the hospital.<\/p>\n

Bring a Raincoat<\/strong><\/p>\n

While of course we hope for lovely weather, this is still Nova Scotia. And it will likely still be cool and very likely windy. And it might rain. And it might rain sideways. Seriously, your umbrella is going to end up inside out. Don\u2019t let a bit of wet weather stop you though! Ready to adventure further? Rent a bike and cycle over the MacDonald Bridge on the pedestrian\/bike path (the \u201cold\u201d bridge according to the locals; 26 min ride from the Hotel). Or grab your rented bike or e-scooter and take the Halifax Transit Harbour Ferry from Halifax to the Woodside Terminal (Dartmouth, 12min ferry ride, bikes allowed), then enjoy the 3 km trail of the Dartmouth Harbourwalk to downtown Dartmouth. Browse unique shops or enjoy one the of the amazing food options before your return ferry ride from Alderney Landing back to Halifax. Of course, you can always skip the exercise too and just go right to Alderney Landing!<\/p>\n

Drop Your Diet<\/strong><\/p>\n

With so many food and drink options, you\u2019ll have ample opportunities to refuel for all these walk abouts. Daytime bites, evening dining, nightlife pubs with live music \u2013 I\u2019d need a whole other article to list out some of my favourites (I was much skinnier before I moved here). I believe, however, that the Halifax natives would be dismayed if I did not mention the Lower Deck Pub, with live music every (open) night (wink, wink, you\u2019ll get to hear one of the mainstay acts at the conference banquet!). But seriously, plan to eat well.<\/p>\n

Stay and Play \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrival: The Halifax Standfield Airport receives multiple daily flights (many direct) from across Canada and Internationally. There is a Halifax Transit bus from the airport to Halifax, but no train; I\u2019d recommend the airport taxis and rideshare options which are plentiful. If you\u2019re planning to rent a car, I\u2019d suggest you book early. It\u2019s about 45min from the Airport to Halifax.<\/p>\n

Getting around: If you\u2019re going to drive in Halifax, have your head on a swivel.\u00a0 There are some quirky choices in one-way streets and pedestrian crosswalks are everywhere. And pedestrians assume you\u2019ll stop for them. Because Nova Scotians do stop. Going car-less? There\u2019s lots of ride-share and taxi options and bus\/van tours are available (book ahead) for the most common tourism trips.<\/p>\n

Weather: Early May will be cool (4-10 o<\/sup>C at night, 10-15o<\/sup>C daytime) and you can expect some rain on at least one of every three-to-four days. Come for another visit in August\/September someday \ud83d\ude09.<\/p>\n

Extending your stay? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Revised<\/p>\n

Some day trips for your consideration (Note: May is early in the tourism seasons so be sure to check for seasonal difference in openings if you\u2019re headed off the most common tourism spots): (1) Peggy\u2019s Cove is the famous lighthouse of course and definitely an essential Nova Scotia experience, but don\u2019t miss Mahone Bay and the town of Lunenburg while you\u2019re out that way. (2) Head to the Valley and sample at the wineries near Wolfville. See the Fundy tides at Blomidon Park and round out your day with a visit to Hall\u2019s Harbour and the Lobster Pound. (3) Check out the hiking, sea kayaking (outfitter required), surfing and beaches of the Eastern Shore. Yes, people surf all winter!<\/p>\n

Other Events (check discoverhalifaxns.com for updates and links for tickets\/details):<\/p>\n

May 1, 2026 \u2013 Rare and Fine Wine Tasting at Prince George Hotel (Savour Food and Wine Festival)<\/p>\n

May 2, 2026 \u2013 Beltuner at the Halifax Central Library (Paris-based Jazz quartet)<\/p>\n

May 3, 2026 (TBConfirmed) \u2013 WildLakes Urban Trail Running Race (10km)<\/p>\n

May 6 \u2013 9, 2026 \u2013 Halifax ComedyFest<\/p>\n

May 8 and 9, 2026 \u2013 Neon Dreams at the Rebecca Cohn Theatre with Symphony Nova Scotia<\/p>\n

May 9, 2026 \u2013 Open City Hfx \u2013 highlighting local businesses<\/p>\n

May 9, 2026 \u2013 Bryan Cheng & Balourdet Quartet at The Stage at St. Andrews<\/p>\n

May 9, 2026 \u2013 Dark.Odd.Artists at the Halifax Forum (curated vendor market)<\/p>\n

May 15, 2026 \u2013 Coastal Currents (Live Art Dance and Kinetic) at Dalhousie<\/p>\n

May 16, 2026 \u2013 East Coast Cider Festival<\/p>\n

May 15-17, 2026 \u2013 The Medavie Blue Nose Marathon (weekend)<\/p>\n

May 2026 Schedule TBD \u2013 Halifax Tides Women\u2019s Football Club<\/p>\n

May 2026 Schedule TBD (Saturdays) \u2013 Halifax Wanderer\u2019s Men\u2019s Football Club<\/p>\n

May 2026 Schedule TBD (Postseason) \u2013 Halifax Mooseheads Hockey<\/p>\n

\"Cabottrailbyitstomjoseph \"Bay<\/p>\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dr. Lori Beach, Conference Chair, Halifax 2026, presents an entertaining and informative guide to Halifax<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","newslettersectioncategories":[49],"class_list":["post-135095","newsletter_sections","type-newsletter_sections","status-publish","hentry","newslettersectioncategories-conferences"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newsletter_sections\/135095","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newsletter_sections"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/newsletter_sections"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=135095"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"newslettersectioncategories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cscc-sccc.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newslettersectioncategories?post=135095"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}