Seafood is back on the menu
Popular Bay Roberts festival returns after sitting out 2020
Bay Roberts is ready to welcome people back to its annual seafood festival.
After working with the provincial government on a safety plan, the 2021 version of the Songs, Stages and Seafood Festival is ready to return.
“The seafood festival was one of the most anticipated events (of the year),” said Bay Roberts Mayor Philip Wood.
The annual event combines local seafood with renowned chefs and musicians to create a unique experience in the town.
Right now, the festival is scheduled to run from June 3-6 and will feature much of what it has in the past.
Coming back to the festival is the fish cake championships and a series of showcase dinners that will feature dishes put together by some of the province’s top chefs.
There are also plans for a salmon dinner, a seafood drive-in, a culinary workshop and a specialized dinner every other night.
Each event will be limited to 100 participants, plus the chefs and servers on that night. The town is also incorporating touchless tickets.
VENUE CHANGES
While the events are comparable to past years, there will be changes to where they are held.
To accommodate social distancing, all the municipal-sponsored events will be take place at the Bay Arena in Bay Roberts.
Normally, events would take place all over town, including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Bay Roberts Lions Club and others.
Still, Bay Roberts economic development officer Ron Delaney knows there is a chance all of his planning could be for naught if the number of positive COVID-19 cases reaches a point where the province decides to raise the alert level.
“It took us quite a bit (of time) for us to be OK and we’re only OK as long as Dr. (Janice) Fitzgerald says we’re OK,” he said.
Last year’s in-person portion of the festival was cancelled a month before it was scheduled to get under way. The town did manage to put off a small virtual event, but it was nothing compared to what the town normally puts together.
“I just hope that things still proceed and are able to run,” said Bay Roberts Mayor Philip Wood.
Wood sees the festival as a showcase of his town’s culture and heritage. It uses locally harvested seafood and promotes the entire region.
It is something he looks forward to every year.
“It is great food, great music and great company,” said Wood.