**** Parks Canada Media Release
A Halifax holiday tradition: The Halifax Citadel’s annual Victorian Christmas has become an important part of the community
Parks Canada is hosting the 30th annual Victorian Christmas this weekend at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Started in 1989 with the goal of showing visitors an authentic historic portrayal of Christmas at the Halifax Citadel, the event has grown to become an annual tradition for many Halifax families.
“Parents come here with their kids because it’s what they did 20 or 30 years ago with their parents,” says Jeff Lansing, Parks Canada communications officer. “It’s an annual tradition that has carried through from one generation to the next.”
The historic fort takes on a festive air for the two-day event, which takes place the last weekend of November every year. This year the event takes place from Noon to 4:00pm Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24.
Participants are treated to Victorian carols, crafts, games and, of course, Father Christmas. Gingerbread cookies and hot apple cider will be sold at the coffee bar and there’s a free Victorian photo booth where visitors can capture some holiday magic to share with family and friends. The last two years the event has drawn over 6,000 visitors.
Admission is free with a cash or non-perishable food donation to Feed Nova Scotia. The registered charity has been a part of Victorian Christmas since the 1990s when they were known as the Metro Food Bank Society. Victorian Christmas is one of their longest standing third party events and raises significant food and funds each year. Since 2001, Victorian Christmas has raised over $30,000 and over 11,000kg of food.
“It takes a pretty special event to capture the heart of the community for three decades,” says Karen Theriault of Feed Nova Scotia. “Our volunteers will be onsite to greet everyone who comes out to the event this weekend, and we’re eager to put the community’s generous support to work in helping vulnerable Nova Scotians this Christmas.”
“Parks Canada places are an important part of local communities,” says Lansing. “For us to be able to welcome so many locals to the Halifax Citadel while also supporting such a great cause, it makes Victorian Christmas one of our favourite events of the year.”
Parks Canada has a spokesperson available for an interview, or if you’d like to attend Saturday or Sunday, please contact Jeffrey Lansing, Public Relations and Communications Officer, Parks Canada, 902-426-1345. You can also attend either Saturday or Sunday. To speak with a spokesperson from Feed Nova Scotia, please contact Karen Theriault, Feed Nova Scotia Director of Communications and Development, at 902-457-1900 ext. 226 or email her at ktheriault@feednovascotia.ca.