Mundy Pond Regatta attracted thousands
Mundy Pond rowing fans resumed their own Regatta this year, and reportedly, it was a success.
In 1930, when the St. John’s Regatta was in decline and being abandoned by hundreds of fans in favor of other summer attractions, the Mundy Pond Regatta had no problems putting together a race program, nor of attracting large crowds.
Approximately 10,000 people turned up for the event held on the last Wednesday of August, which was on par for many of the Quidi Vidi Regattas of that decade.
On August 30, 1930, the sports reporter for The Daily News described the scene at the Mundy Pond Regatta as, “A concourse of people, filling every available space around the pond and the spacious garden party grounds, was present from the early afternoon until 11 o’clock at night. It was the most enthusiastic function of its kind that has been held for some years.”
Also known as the ‘Father Summer’s Regatta’
The Mundy Pond Regatta operated for several decades, and quickly proved to be a successful fundraiser for St. Teresa’s Parish soon after that church was opened adjacent to Mundy Pond.
A project of Father Summers, its parish priest, the Mundy Pond Regatta was also called the “Father Summers Regatta.”
During the 1930s, it was held on Wednesday afternoons to coincide with the weekly halfholiday workers were given by employers.
The Daily News described the scene around the pond on Regatta Day, “The grounds were decorated with bunting and the Mount Cashel Band contributed a great deal to the afternoon’s enjoyment. The tea table holders were kept furiously busy until almost the last eatable had disappeared. The sideshows, wheel of fortune and housiehousie (Bingo) did a roaring business until 11 o’clock when the affair closed.”
It was a great day for the Catholic clergy, as well as the general public. The Archbishop, accompanied by priests from other parishes in and near St. John’s, were honored guests at the combined garden partyregatta. Members of the Newfoundland Constabulary controlled the traffic of automobiles, horses and people. The races were close and competitive and some of the medals were presented the same day. Most of them were awarded a week later at the Mundy Pond Club House.