About 1,000 people bombarded the streets of downtown Halifax Wednesday for what was part protest, part dance party for lower tuition fees.

It was the region’s version of the Canadian Federation of Students’ National Day of Action, and few ears in the area could escape the sound of the crowd’s powerful cheers.

Students gathered in Victoria Park at 1 p.m., and after hearing from a few speakers, began marching down Spring Garden Road towards Province House before arriving at NSCAD’s Granville campus.

Car horns could vaguely be heard over top constant communal chants.

Most sported warm, rain-resistant attire, and many others wore gladiator-like war paint.

Gabe Hoogers, president of the students’ union at the University of King’s College, was leading the pack of feisty protesters.

“We recognize the threat that our post-secondary education is under right now,” he said. “We’re out here in solidarity … to show the current government that we need to see them step up to the plate.”

The provincial government recently announced a three per cent funding cut for universities, which has led to a three per cent increase in tuition fees for students in 2012-13, the federation states.

That doesn’t resonate with fourth-year NSCAD student Katie Hagan, who’s school is already facing financial perils.

“I owe over $30,000. I’m an out of province student, so I pay more already,” the Ontario native said.