The Junos may be over, but Halifax is still celebrating.

"We're getting the exposure, not only across the country but around the world, and that's great exposure and that's something we can be very proud of," said Mayor Peter Kelly.

Mount Uniacke's own Buck 65 co-hosted the awards show. (CBC / Phlis McGregor)
Mount Uniacke's own Buck 65 co-hosted the awards show. (CBC / Phlis McGregor)

Music lovers and star seekers packed restaurants, bars and shops in downtown Halifax for the 2006 Juno Awards, a weekend of concerts and autograph sessions culminating in the gala awards show Sunday night.

Kelly was among the crowd of enthusiastic fans who packed the Metro Centre for the show, which featured international acts Cold Play and Black Eyed Peas, and saw West Coast crooner Michael Bublé haul in four major awards.

But Kelly said his East Coast town is the big winner.

"There's the financial contributions to hotels, restaurants, taxis and to a lot of other venues in the downtown," he said.

From restaurants to hair salons, many businesses put out the Juno welcome mat. Retailers decorated their storefronts with Juno themes, many honouring nominees.

Christine Bower, co-owner of the Wooden Monkey, a few blocks away from the Metro Centre, brought in more staff and kept the restaurant open later than usual to accommodate the crowds.

"It was wonderful. We were busy basically for the whole week, not just even the weekend. It was just excellent," Bower said.

Not everyone did as well, however. Some local bars and restaurants reported low sales as regulars avoided the downtown core. Several blocks around the Metro Centre were blocked off to local traffic.

But Kelly said most businesses say the weekend was a success, and organizers estimate the Junos brought as much as $30 million to the city.

With big ticket events like the Junos, Kelly said, the world gets a chance to see what Halifax has to offer.

He said if Halifax wins the right to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014, the financial impact will be bigger and longer lasting than the Junos.