Christy's review of the Halifax SnowJam:

On the weekend of September 15-16th, you could find most people on the Garrison Grounds - Halifax Citadel for the Molson Canadian Snow Jam.

This 2-day action, sports, and music festival brought over 100 tonnes of snow and a taste of the great Canadian winter to 5 cities across Canada including Halifax.

I had the priviledge of winning a ticket, well bracelet, so off i went.

When i arrived at the Citadel, the line was really long and it was already 12:30 and the gates opened at 12. Since i had my bracelet before hand, i thankfully didn't have to wait in the ticket lines.

Going through the gates you had your bag checked for bottles and other objects that could be harmful to others. Cameras were allowed which was an added plus.

Once you got through the gates all you could see was people. They were giving away free Code Red Mountain Dew--but you weren't allowed to have a cap incase you threw an unopened bottle--it could cause pain to someone else.

At about 1 or so, the first band played. It was a Local Halifax band that no one knew was going to be playing. They were pretty cool, and the crowd around the stage was really getting into it.

Up next was Bucket Truck. They were awsome. The crowd was going wild and there was more people in front of the stage then on the hill.

After Bucket Truck they had Snowboarding. It was really interesting to watch the people go down the snow covered ramp. [Where all 120 tons of snow was].

Shyne Factory was up next and I managed to get in the front row. I got some really good pictures. The crowd was yet again really getting into the music. People were also crowd surfing. The security guards were very fast as to get the people off the people below them as not to squish them [which i got kicked in the head a few times from crowd surfers].

Another sporting event was held, then The Black Halos took to the stage. I had the pleasure to actually meet the Black Halos before they went onto the stage because i hung around the gate where they were. They are really nice down to earth guys who enjoy playing music. I also got some really good pictures from when they had sound check.

A highlight during the Black Halos set was when Billy, the singer, saw a blow up doll in the crowd and asked for someone to send it up to him, so someone threw it to him and he deadicated the next song to her.

After the Halos, there was some more snowboarding and i traveled away from the stage to see what else was there. They were giving away free Pizza Pockets and there was a DJ tent where you could see what DJs do. It was quite interesting.

There was also a band signing tent but i didn't get a chance to go in at that time since Static in Stereo was coming up.

They also had a good set although the crowd wasn't getting into it as well as some of the other bands.

I went back to the band signing tent and got some stuff signed by the Black Halos. Static in Stereo was going in after the Halos were done.

Eventually Treble Charger was ready to go and i managed to meet the singer before he went on the stage. I got my picture taken with him.

During their set, Treble Charger got a girl from the crowd to come up on stage and they also got Billy, the Black Halos singer, to come up on stage. They were both supossed to chug a bottle of ginger ale and whoever finished first won--nothing. The girl was having a bit of trouble chugging and eventually it all came back up. She got cheered on by the crowd though and finally finished it. Billy won--he managed to keep it all down.

After Treble Charger there was another sporting event an then Sloan took the stage. I have no words to explain their set. They played a few songs and then they started chanting 'Sloan' which got the crowd chanting and then they played a few more songs.

After Sloan, everyone left for the night only to return the next day.

Day 2:

Once again gates opened at 12 and after a quick stop at a gas station to get film i went through the gate as i didn't have to wait to get my bag checked because i didn't bring one.

The sports were already starting by the time i got in so i watched them for awhile and then traveled back to the stage. I saw some people from Parkview so we were all waiting for the first band of the day--Project Wyze--to start.

I went back to the gate and saw members of Mudmen and Project Wyze. They were happy to talk to me and sign some things for me. I asked the drummer of Mudmen if i could get a stick after they were done playing their set and he said yes. i was very excited.

A amusing thing about them is when the guitarist was signing some girl's jeans and said to me "This is the closet I've ever been to a lady." so i told him he'd better behave himself he just started laughing and gave me a hug. It was great. They also forced me to get a picture taken with them all and gave my camera to some guy standing around to take it. i hope it turns out all right.

I learned at the time Project Wyze was starting that Finger Eleven was in the signing tent so i went over and waited in the line. I missed some of Project Wyze but it's all good.

Once getting everything signed [my arm included] i went back to the stage and the crowd was wild yet again. Some guys were passing out Project Wyze stickers during the show and they gave me a handful.

More sporting events were taken and then the Mudmen played. I was up against the gate for them. I don't think it was the smartest place to be--i was squished the whole time but many good pictures came out of it so it was worth it. I got a Mudmen sticker also.

The bassist, Tommy, threw out some guitar picks and one landed by the security guard in front of my so i asked him politely to get it for me so he did. He later stopped someone from landing on my head so that was really nice of him.

After the Mudmen were done, Ryan the drummer, had 4 drum sticks so he went to the edge of the stage and threw out 2 randomily then he came over to where i was and hand one to the nice security and pointed at him and told him to give it to me. The looks on the faces of the people around me was priceless. I then went over to the tent where they were signing, my cd in hand. They signed the drum stick and cd for me. One of the members, the guitarist said, 'I've never signed a drumstick before'. So i told him it was always time to try new things. he just smiled. My cd booklet while getting signed got layed in some water so one of the members tried to wipe it up with his pant leg and then another member went to get a towel. Thankfully it's still good.

Finger Eleven played after the awards were given out for the events that had happened over the weekend. The people who won started throwing stuff into the crowd and the crowd went crazy. They ignored the side where i was so i didn't get anything. One of the people chucked a snowboard that he won out into the crowd.

Finger Eleven took the stage after and played a very cool set. There was so many people packed in there that some guy next to me put his arm up in the air and couldn't get it back down! I couldn't breathe for some of it but i tried to take pictures between people's heads. i'm pretty sure they turned out alright.

Finger Eleven had to stop halfway through because someone had gotten hurt and we had to clear a path for the first aid people to get through the mosh pit. I was pushed out of the way several times when i wasn't in the way and a girl by me with her arm in a sling was also thrown about. The girl that they went in for was alright, she just fell and hurt her leg. Finger Eleven finished their set and then it was over.

On the way home the people i was in the car with rolled down the windows and we yelled out 'Snow Jam' to all the people we passed.

It was a great weekend. Meeting the band members was the highlight of my time there. All I have to say is if you get the chance to go to something like it take it. I know i would do it again in a second.

If you want to see Snow Jam "live" tune in to Global on October 13. They filmed it the whole time.

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