It’s hard to explain the devastation around these wildfires to our kids but at least we can show them that whenever there is a tragedy in our community, the best way to move forward is by coming together.
On a hot Sunday afternoon in May 2023, a brush fire in Tantallon, Nova Scotia turned into a raging wildfire in a matter of hours, ripping through the neighbourhood of Westwood Hills and beyond. On May 27, the day before, Shelburne County residents were alerted to a growing fire near Barrington. Over the next 12 days, more than 23,000 hectares (235 square kilometres) of Shelburne county were destroyed, including 60 homes and 150 structures, with over 3,200 homes evacuated and 6,700 people displaced. In Hammonds Plains and Tantallon, more than 16,000 people were evacuated,150 homes destroyed, and pets, vehicles, heirlooms, and keepsakes were lost forever. Firefighters from around and outside the province mobilized; federal air tankers were called in; a fire squadron from Costa Rica came to assist. Combined, it was the most devastating Nova Scotia wildfire season on record. The immensity and scale of loss was hard to grasp.
East Coasters come together in times of need. It’s just the way it goes. Family first.
Over the first weekend of June, as firefighters gained control of both blazes, Sonic Concerts and Brookes Diamond Productions began making calls: how could Nova Scotians support those going through such immediate tragedy -- in a Nova Scotian way? The answer: music. With Sonic Concerts, Scotiabank Centre assembled a team to book, plan, promote, staff, and deliver the Wildfire Benefit Concert four days later, with all proceeds going to the United Way Recovery Appeal. With the generous support and participation of our corporate sponsors and partners, and generous offers from bands and musicians, the Wildfire Recovery Concert was announced on Monday, June 5 for Friday, June 9. Hosted by Nancy Regan and Liz Rigney, the lineup featured performances by Matt Mays, Adam Baldwin, Jenn Grant, Kim Harris, Jah'Mila, Classified, Dave Sampson, Joel Plaskett Emergency, Neon Dreams, Dee Dee Austin, Rankin MacInnis, and Joe H Henry. Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy was posted onstage live painting a drum to be auctioned for the Recovery fund. From Sodexo donating concessions sales to service providers, staff, and artists offering their time and skills, the Wildfire Recovery Concert was a massive effort to support our friends, family, and community.
A huge, amazing, incredible lineup! The way they pulled this together so fast, I don’t know how they did that!
To further show support, victims, firefighters, and volunteers from the affected regions were invited at no cost to offer some levity in such a dark time. The Scotiabank Centre team personally distributed over 300 tickets to the community. Between general ticket sales, concessions, community contributions, sponsorship gifts, and more, the Wildfire Recovery Concert raised over $330,000 for the United Way Recovery Appeal.
"United Way Halifax is so grateful for the support of Events East, Scotiabank Centre, and our other partners to quickly pull together the Wildfire Recovery Concert," said Sara Napier, President & CEO of United Way Halifax. "Not only was the $330,000 raised much appreciated by the community, but the feeling of all also working together to support those impacted by the wildfires was felt throughout the event and days after. It was truly a special night that won’t be forgotten."