Skates and smiles on Dal 200's New Year's Day kickoff

There are 365 days in Dal's 200th year — but why waste any time?

On January 1, Dalhousie invited members of its Halifax and Truro communities to take to the ice for public skates. The families and friends who flocked to the Emera Oval in Halifax and the Caldwell Roach/Kings Mutural Insurance Ice Surface in front of the Truro Civic Centre were treated to warm drinks, sweet treats and Dalhousie spirit.

In Halifax, the Dalhousie Tiger was joined by an army of Tigers: the men's and women's varsity hockey teams, who handed out prizes and free hot chocolates from the Lord Nelson hotel and painted face — not to mention showing off their skating skills, too. In Truro, Rocky held court as kids and adults of all ages took to the ice or grabbed a hot chocolate on the sidelines.

For both longtime Dalhousians or those who just dropped by the ice for a Sunday skate and joined the festivities, it was a spirited, celebratory afternoon. Photographers Nick Pearce (Halifax) and Johanna Matthews (Truro) captured the sights for us.

For more on Dal's 200th anniversary, visit dal200.ca