Chocolate eggs and church services: What’s happening in Halifax on Easter weekend

Maritimers aren’t letting the rising cost of food and gas get in their way of celebrating Easter.

The team at Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Halifax was hard at work today preparing for Easter weekend, a significant Christian holiday. They have services ranging from Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday.

“Holy Thursday, we celebrate the night where Jesus instituted the Eucharist and where he goes into the agony in the garden so there is this beautiful precession that we do at the end of mass to the garden we built in the basement where we spend time with Jesus until 11 o’clock,” says Rev. Isaac Longworth.

“And then good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’s death and it’s more of a solemn feel and a funeral for Jesus and we venerate the cross, so kiss or bow to the cross. Then Easter Saturday we celebrate the Easter vigil and this is the highlight of the entire year for Catholics, this is where we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead.”

Last year, Longworth said they had more than 2,000 people.

“What happened 2,000 years ago is still sending shockwaves through history. The message of Jesus is just as relevant today as it was back then,” Longworth says.

While some Maritimers will be attending church services throughout the weekend, others may be on the hunt for gifts or sweet treats. Portland Street Creperie has a special ‘Easter Egg Crepe’ they only offer this time of year.

Tim Rissesco with the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission says there isn’t a community egg hunt in Dartmouth this year, but he notes there are many spots people can check out to celebrate Easter in the downtown area.

“There is going to be a lot of people around brunching and going to restaurants, and coming here to Alderney Landing for the farmers market, getting set and families doing things together is sort of what easter is all about,” says Risessco.

Many Maritimers have their own holiday traditions.

“During the day we plan on doing the church service and hopefully getting together with family and just enjoying out time off,” says Pauline Fraser, Halifax resident.

“The chocolate and spending time with family of course, but mainly the chocolate,” says Liam Moore, another Haligonian.

“Unfortunately, on average chocolate is about 15 per cent retail more expensive than last year,” says Sylvain Charlebois, Dalhousie University Agri Food Analytics lab director.

Charlebois says look at prices based on 100 grams or 100 ml to protect yourself from shrinkflation. Charlebois says there are some savings when it comes to protein this year.

“Turkey is basically priced the same, if you are into ham for the weekend. Ham is about five per cent cheaper compared to this year, so there is some good news there. As far as more expensive meat options, lamb is up plus eight per cent, and beef is up about 14 per cent,” says Charlebois.

Gas, he says, is likely to be a major factor for people this year.

“We are seeing more people visiting more stores, but with the price of gas, you want to be extremely careful because you are going to end up spending way more to save less,” says Charlebois.

Easter events

For those who still need to get to stores for groceries, check out websites as operating hours may differ this holiday weekend.

Another place to check for Easter activities taking place around Halifax is the Downtown Halifax Business Commission’s website.

Halifax Transit buses will be operating on the holiday schedule on Friday. Buses won’t be operating on regular schedules on Saturday and Sunday.

Alderney and Woodside ferry services will not be operating on Friday and neither will the Woodside ferry the rest of the weekend. The Alderney ferry service will operate on its regular weekend schedules on Saturday and holiday services on Sunday.

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