Just a little longer

Goal is to extend tourism season

While tourism tends to calm down after Celtic Colours, the Barn Music and Theatre Society is hoping to extend the season a little further this year with one last major weekend of concerts at its Egypt Road venue.

The society will stage the Fiddle & Folk Foliage Farewell weekend at the Barn on the grounds of the Normaway Inn in the Margaree Valley during the weekend of Oct. 19-21.

According to society director Jim MacDonald, it’s an ideal year to add extra events.

“Tourism numbers are up, the national park facilities in the highlands are free, gas prices and the dollar are favourable, the leaves are often very spectacular and a number of restaurants are still open on the Cabot Trail,” said MacDonald, adding some golf courses are still operating and from Oct. 16-22, the price of a round of golf at Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs, drops from $295 to $120 with lower rates for Nova Scotians.

The new event will feature three nights of music and how it goes over will determine if a longer event may run in the future.

It starts on Thursday, Oct. 19 with Margaree musicians Neil McDaniel and fiddler Hailee LeFort performing from 8-10 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 20 fiddle and piano players Howie MacDonald and Brenda Stubbert will be performing from 8-10 p.m.

Performers on Saturday, Oct. 21 include fiddler Gillian Head and singer/songwriter Cyril MacPhee who will be performing from 8-10 p.m.

In addition to music, there will also be a 45-minute workshop in Gaelic given by Jim MacDonald on Friday at 5:45 p.m. MacDonald, a former high school Gaelic teacher, will teach basic greetings and the opening lines of the Gaelic version of “O Canada.” On Saturday, fishing guide John Hart will conduct a salmon fly-tying session.

Reservations for the weekend may be made by phoning 902248-2987 or 1-800-565-9463. Tickets for the music events are also available at the door.