People gathered in the sun on Grand Parade in downtown Halifax Thursday for a lunchtime concert celebrating Sir Paul McCartney’s 67th  birthday.

The concertgoers enjoyed birthday cake and blue soda as they were serenaded by local Beatles cover band, Abbey Road.

“I love going to concerts like this” said Troy Higdon as the warm sun beat down on him. Although he’s a big McCartney fan, he won’t be attending the concert July 11 at the Halifax Common.

“It’s pretty cool,” he said about the event.

Many of the people present at the concert were enjoying their lunchtime and hoping they would win a draw for concert tickets.

Among the lucky winners was Laura Simmons.

“I’m really excited. My husband’s going to be excited too,” she said. “I came for cake and it was all gone. But I’d rather have the tickets.”

Tickets for the ex-Beatle’s show are $125 each, or $305 for VIP seating. KISS will be perfoming at the Common the following week.