Celebration of life and heritage in Nova Scotia

The embodiment of Canada’s maritime spirit and charm, the eastern province of Nova Scotia is steeped in history. In mid-February, the region will celebrate its heritage and one of its founding leaders.

The Nova Scotia Heritage Day on 15th February will bring people together throughout the province to honour the amazing people, places and events in Nova Scotia’s past. This year’s focal point will be Joseph Howe, a self-taught journalist who went on to found one of the region’s leading newspapers and became a leader in creating the free press in Canada.

The holiday, created by the provincial government in 2014, is celebrating its second year. In the capital of Nova Scotia, Halifax, a number of tourist sites and museums will open their doors to residents and visitors for free, commemorative events. On the day, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Museum of Natural History will celebrate Nova Scotia Heritage Day with entry free of charge. The city’s Museum of Industry will focus on the event patron Joseph Howe and will also be free of charge.

There are also a number of activities for children. In the build-up to the day, local school children have been contributing to the spirit. For the event, children created Heritage Day flags under the watchful eye of Nova Scotia’s Deputy Premier.

“This February holiday is near and dear to my heart and important for Nova Scotians,” Diana Whalen said to local media. “It is wonderful to see it help build pride in our province, particularly among Nova Scotia’s students – our future.”

The Atlantic coast is a perfect destination to enjoy in Canada. The region is known for its hiking trails, cycling routes, water sports and some great opportunities for whale watching. With easy access to all these destinations with the help of a Canadian hired car, visitors to Nova Scotia can enjoy scenic lighthouses, delicious local food and wines, and more great attractions.

For a complete list of Heritage Day activities, visit the organiser’s site.

Image Credit: Dennis Jarvis (flickr.com)