Many Maritimers are thrilled that U2 will play in Moncton on July 30, and now there's word the band may be making another Maritime stop.

CTV News has learned the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia has officially invited U2, dubbed "the biggest band in the world" by some, to visit the town the day after they play Magnetic Hill.

The band and the tiny town share a connection through a song written by an American folk singer named Peggy Seeger. "The Ballad of Springhill," pays tribute to the hundreds of miners who lost their lives in the Springhill mines.

The Irish rock stars decided to include the song on their playlist for the "Joshua Tree" tour in 1987 and performed the song at 15 concerts during the tour, projecting the town onto the international stage.

‘They have shown their concern for the tragedy that we have gone through," Springhill mayor, Allen Dill, tells CTV.

So, Dill decided to invite the band to see the town they sing about, be recognized with a key to the community, and be made honourary Springhillers.

They have already received word the invitation was received by the band's management.

A visit from U2 would be exciting for any town, but for a town of 4,000 people that has suffered its share of disasters and economic difficulties, politicians say it may be just what the residents need.

"The ballad gives you hope and I think that's what I'm clinging to," says Dill. "For anyone to do that for any small town, and we are a small town, and we're trying to survive, and I think that would help us survive too."

The town is planning a U2 celebration for July 31, regardless of whether the guests of honour show up.

"It would be a great boost for our town, economically, as it would bring a lot of interest to the area, but also socially and culturally as we celebrate the great history of Springhill and Cumberland County," says Jamie Baillie, the provincial leader of the Conservative Party and MLA for Cumberland South.

It's unusual for a band that big to visit a town that small, but both Dill and Baillie believe it's possible in this case.

"If Bono can be picked up hitchhiking, then the chances are pretty good for Springhill," says Baillie, referring to when Bono was picked up by Gilbert Brule of the Edmonton Oilers when he was hitchhiking in Vancouver last month.

"I believe that we will be given all consideration," says Dill.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell