Halifax park fares well after McCartney show
Thanks to the sunshine, the city park seems to have stood up well to 50,000 dancing Paul McCartney fans.
Officials with the Halifax Regional Municipality say the good weather Saturday ensured there was no repeat of previous concerts when heavy rain, thousands of spectators and large trucks tore up huge swaths of grass.
Mayor Peter Kelly said the Common is in good shape.
"It's a bit stressed in a few parts, but it'll come back," he said. "We've asked a lot of people who were here … if they thought this was a good place for a concert and they all said, 'Yes.' "
In September 2006, the waterlogged Rolling Stones concert left the park in terrible condition.
Crews were busy cleaning up garbage after the McCartney show. Some of the seating was taken down, but the stage and tents are staying put to accommodate the KISS concert this weekend.
Sunny weather entices concertgoers
Promoters said Sunday they don't have a final tally, though they estimate that more than 50,000 fans showed up.
"There was a huge walk-up yesterday and that's going to make a significant difference in the numbers we were dealing with Thursday or Friday, just in terms of last-minute ticket buying," said Greg Cox, with Power Promotional Events.
McCartney performed for nearly three hours, covering 36 songs from his days with the Beatles and Wings.
Halifax rockers Wintersleep and Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Joel Plaskett took to the stage before McCartney.