The Great Big Dig

The Great Big Dig for the IWK

November 15, 2025
Halifax Convention Centre

The Event

On behalf of The Kent Great Big Dig for the IWK, we are excited to welcome you back!

The region’s most anticipated and exciting fundraising event is November 15, 2025. The Great Big Dig event brings you an unforgettable evening of food, entertainment, amazing auction items, prizes, and great company.

The continued generosity of the community and our sponsors have allowed The Great Big Dig to substantially impact the lives of children, youth, women, and families in our region! Thank you for your continued support.

The Purpose

The O-Arm — Advancing Orthopedic Surgery at the IWK

This year, the Kent Great Big Dig for the IWK is digging deep to advance orthopedic surgery at the IWK by supporting the purchase of The O-Arm — Advancing Orthopedic Surgery at the IWK

The O-Arm is a surgical imaging system that provides real-time, 2D and 3D images of a patient's anatomy during surgery. Primarily used in spine, orthopedic, and trauma-related surgeries, it allows surgeons to visualize the surgical site in detail and make adjustments during the procedure. It also helps with the precise placement of surgical screws.

The O-arm is the standard of care in safe pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Almost every children’s hospital in Canada already has an O-Arm or similar imaging/navigation system.

“An O-Arm allows surgeons to place spinal screws with extreme precision, under the guidance of CT scan images. This has become the international standard of care in my specialty, with the goal of minimizing the possible risk of intraoperative spinal cord injury.”

~ Dr. Jason Howard who will be returning to the IWK as the new Division Head of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, in September 2025. He has utilized the O-Arm in his previous positions.

Entertainment

Haliey Smith

Haliey Smith is a veteran performer and singer. The youngest sibling of the extraordinary Smith family that includes producer and sister Reeny as well as noted drummer extraordinaire, “JR”, she is part of one of the most recorded background vocalists and session singers in Atlantic Canada.

She has performed extensively at various events and music Festivals. She has opened for Grammy award-winner Lisa Fischer, Anderson Paak at the Halifax Jazz Festival and Deadmau5. She’s also performed and recorded with Reeny, Joel Plaskett, David Myles and Matt Andersen all while working on her own solo material. 

Reeny

Reeny Smith is a powerhouse on the stage and in the studio. A songwriter, musician, and producer, Reeny has captured much attention and high praise from within the music industry and has already amassed a long list of awards and accolades.

Whether she is playing with a full band, as a trio, or solo on the keys, Reeny’s extraordinary vocals, confident stage presence and energetic live show make for a truly unforgettable and entertaining experience. Reeny’s natural talent was inspired and nurtured by her family and friends growing up in North Preston, Nova Scotia. Reeny has received several African Nova Scotia Music and Music Nova Scotia Awards.

Cory Tetford

Performing since the age of 3, Cory has lived a life of music. Born into a musical family, he toured his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador with his 2 brothers and father performing gospel music.

As a side man, Cory toured Canada and the USA with Damhnait Doyle, as well, played with "The Man Of A Thousand Songs," Ron Hynes. Recently, Cory has been touring with Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea as his guitar player since 2012.

Cory released a solo record in 1999 that garnered him the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Emerging Artist award and the 2000 MIANL Male Artist of the Year Award.

In 2000, Cory formed the Warner recording act Crush with fellow Newfoundlander Paul Lamb. The band toured Canada, and released 2 records. The band was nominated for a Juno and won 8 ECMAs.

Big Fish

If you’re hungry for great musical entertainment then Big Fish is definitely the catch of the day. This lively quintet, noted for their strong harmonies and expansive set list of all your favorites, has been performing their unique show for over twenty-eight years throughout the Maritimes and central Canada. Audiences of all ages have been fascinated by the creativity, powerful voices and showmanship of this talented group of performers as they bring together songs from the 50’s to the present and covers everything from Broadway musicals to Maritime music. This group loves to sing and have fun and it shows!

Evening Schedule

6:30PM Reception & Silent Auction
7:30PM Dinner & Main Stage Entertainment
10:30PM After Party With Big Fish

The Sutton Place is pleased is pleased to offer Kent Great Big Dig attendees a special room rate of $199 based on availability. Call 1-866-378-8866 and quote Web Group Code: 2511GBDIG or click here for more information and booking (same code applies).

Media Sponsor

Presenting

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors


Committee

Jennifer Parkhill
Event Coordinator
jennifer@parkhillevents.com
Parkhill Events

Mike Johnson
Kent

Sarah Alguire
Discovery Centre

Christina Bradshaw
Christina Bradshaw Design

Jackie Healy
Parkhill Events

Melanie Matheson
IWK Foundation

Ed McNamara
Jani-King

Brian Paquette
Iron Maple

Caitlin Regan
Lindsay Construction

Liz Rigney
CTV

Dan Rudisuela
RBC Royal Bank

Stephanie Sancton
Sancton

Jeremy Stewart
Marco Group

Vivek Tomar
Englobe

This website was created by Changemakers. A proud Gold Sponsor of the Kent Great Big Dig.