**** HRM Media Release
Municipal service level adjustments for the Natal Day long weekend
The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents of the following municipal program and service level adjustments for the upcoming Natal Day long weekend, with a statutory holiday on Monday, August 5.
Solid Waste Collection and Facility Hours
There will be no garbage, organics or recyclables collection services on Monday, August 5. Curbside collection normally scheduled for Monday, August 5 will instead occur on Saturday, August 3. Residents are asked to place materials curbside prior to 7 a.m. on collection day to guarantee pickup, ensuring items are contained and secured from wildlife.
The Otter Lake Waste Management Facility will be closed on Monday, August 5 but will be open on Saturday, August 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Materials Recovery Facility will be closed on Monday, August 5 but will be open on Saturday, August 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Household Special Waste Depot in Bayers Lake will be closed on Saturday, August 3 but will be open on Saturday, August 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A mobile Household Special Waste Depot will be held on Saturday, August 3 at Saint Mary’s University (960 Tower Road – Inglis Street entrance to parking lot) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Residents can find more information on solid waste facility holiday hours on our website. Residents can also sign up for weekly collection reminders and service alerts, as well as print a calendar customized to their address on our website.
Halifax Transit Bus and Ferry Services
Halifax Transit buses will be operating on holiday schedules on Monday, August 5.
Both Alderney Ferry service and Woodside Ferry service will be operating on 30-minute schedules on Monday, August 5.
The first trip for Alderney Ferry service will depart Alderney Ferry Terminal at 7:30 a.m. and its last trip will depart Halifax Ferry Terminal at 11:45 p.m.
The first trip for Woodside Ferry service will depart Woodside Ferry Terminal at 7:37 a.m. and its last trip will depart Halifax Ferry Terminal at 8:52 p.m.
Additionally, Alderney ferry service will operate on a 15-minute schedule on Saturday, August 3, from 12:15 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Halifax Transit is pleased to offer free Alderney Ferry service on Saturday, August 3. Passengers are encouraged to donate to Parker Street Food & Furniture Bank in lieu of fares. Detailed holiday schedules by individual bus and ferry route can be found on our website.
For information on Halifax Transit service disruptions, residents can visit: halifax.ca/htdisruptions.
Recreation Facilities, Programs and Services
The Halifax Commons Aquatic Centre, Bedford and Cole Harbour outdoor pools, as well as supervised municipal beaches are open. The Bayers-Westwood, George Dixon, Isleville Street, Cole Harbour, Shirley’s, Westmount and Sackville splashpads are also open.
Please check our website for up to date information on status of supervised municipal beaches. Please check our website for up to date pool and swim schedules.
The Emera Oval will be open on Monday, August 5 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Equipment lending will be available if weather and surface conditions permit. Please check our website for information.
Many municipal-operated recreation facilities will be closed on Monday, August 5. Please call your local recreation centre for further information.
Customer Contact Centres
The 311 Contact Centre will be closed Monday, August 5 for full service. However, urgent calls can still be reported. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, August 6.
In-person Customer Service Centres will be closed on Monday, August 5. Customer Service Centres will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, August 6.
Residents may contact 311 by phone, or by email at contactus@311.halifax.ca.
Further information on Customer Contact Centres can be found on our website.
Parking
Paid on-street parking will be free Monday, August 5. Residents are reminded to abide by all other posted signage and ensure they are not blocking intersections or sidewalks.
Civic Events
The Halifax Regional Municipality is inviting residents to participate in the 127th Natal Day celebrations.
As part of the municipality’s programming, residents are invited to participate in the 127th Pepsi Halifax-Dartmouth Natal Day Parade on Monday, August 5 at 10 a.m.
In addition to the parade, residents can also participate in the following events taking place over the Natal Day weekend:
- Crescendo Festival on Saturday, August 3 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park Stage.
- Halifax-Dartmouth Harbour Natal Day Fireworks on Saturday, August 3 at 10 p.m. on the Halifax and Dartmouth waterfront (Rain date: Sunday, August 4 at 10 p.m.)
- African Nova Scotian Music Association “Freedom Festival” on Sunday, August 4 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park Stage.
- “Freedom Festival” Pryro Show on Sunday, August 4 at 9:30 p.m. on the Dartmouth Wharf.
- Lake Banook Natal Day Fireworks on Monday, August 5 at 9:30 p.m. at Lake Banook.
Residents are also encouraged to attend the many community-led events, which offer a diverse mix of music, culture, entertainment and family-friendly fun.
For more information, visit: natalday.org.
Fire Safety
Residents are asked to celebrate safely this weekend and consider attending professional fireworks displays instead of using consumer fireworks.
As always, the status of fireworks for events is subject to change. Notification of changes will be shared via the municipality’s Civic Events’ Facebook page and Twitter channel.
Residents should also check burning restrictions guidelines (updated at 2 p.m. daily) for the latest guidance. If a burn ban is in place, fireworks will not be permitted.
If consumer fireworks are permitted, residents should select a wide, clear site that is 30 metres by 30 metres (or 100 feet by 100 feet). Consumers fireworks should also be set off away from structures, trees, dry grass, overhanging hydro lines, or tree branches.
Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend.
