Shelburne County Lobster Festival features busy schedule

Activities start June 4, festival kicks into high gear June 7

The lobster fishing industry will be celebrated in every way, shape and form at this year’s Shelburne County Lobster Festival, with events starting on June 4 and continuing through to June 10 in communities throughout the county.

Lobster chowder, creamed lobster and boiled lobster suppers will be on the menu at various venues, not to mention lobster burgers and Seal Island breakfast (scrambled eggs with lobster). At the time this story was written, registration was almost full for the Great Lobstermen Challenge, to be held June 8 at the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena at 7 p.m. following the festival’s opening ceremonies.

When it comes to entertainment, the event is a festival favourite. A $1,000 cash prize is up for grabs for this year’s winner.

There are still tables available for the fifth annual Lobster Fest Expo and Market, to take place June 8 and 9 at the Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena.

“Our Lobster Expo and Market has shown great attendance over the past four years and is gaining a great reputation of showcasing local artists, crafters and merchants,” says organizer Suzy Atwood in a Facebook post. “We hope this year to be even bigger than last,” she says, adding she also hopes to have demonstrations, information sessions and entertainment taking place on stage during the Lobster Fest Expo and Market. Anyone interested in taking part, or wanting to rent a table, can contact Atwood at 902637-2015 or by email at satwood@ barringtonmunicipality.com

The Sandy Wickens Memorial Arena is the venue for a number of other lobster festival events, including a double feature movie night (June 5 starting at 6 p.m.) and the lobster festival’s arena dance on June 9. Also on tap for the Barrington area are familyfun lobster festival activities at the Sherose Island ball field on June 7 starting at 6 p.m., a car show at the Woods Harbour ball field on June 9 at 3 p.m., a kids fishing derby at the Falls Point Wharf in Woods Harbour on June 10, which will be followed by a parade of lights from the same wharf that evening.

In Shelburne on historic Dock Street, the Shelburne Museums by the Sea complex will hold a multitude of events in celebration of the lobster industry, including scavenger hunts, a whirligig workshop, a museum secrets lobster edition, butter churning and lobster recipe swap, the opportunity to dress like a lobsterman for a fun photo op. Also for the kids are events that include lil’ lobsters story time, building a mini-fishing boat and arts and crafts. Numerous lobster festival events are also planned for Sandy Point Lighthouse Community Centre, including lobster suppers, lobster lunches, a washer tournament, an auction and a dance.

Also planned for the Shelburne area is Paint Night with Catlin Perry from Studio 138, (June 8), a free community workout at Sou’West Athletics (June 9), and World Wide Knit in Public Day (June 9, 1 to 4 p.m.) at Studio 138. World Wide Knit in Public Day is also being celebrated in Lockeport from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Crescent Beach.

Other lobster festival activities in Lockeport include the lobster loop hike on June 7 at 10 a.m., which starts and finishes at the Lillian Benham Library, a Relay for Life event on June 8 and an outdoor market and outdoor concert with Jamie Cotter and friends at Seacaps Park on June 9. Two fishermen’s memorial services will be held during lobster fest on June 10. In Woods Harbour, the service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, starting at 2 p.m. In Shelburne, the service will be held at the Fishermen’s Memorial on Dock Street, also starting at 2 p.m.

For a complete schedule of events and event registration information visit http://www.shelburnecountylobsterfestival.com/ or contact any of the recreation departments in Shelburne County.