Yarmouth Seafest launches 40th festival July 11

Five-day festival is packed with events, including several new ones

Strap on your running shoes, because this year’s Seafest has a schedule so packed and appealing, you may want to catch a lot of it.

With chowder cook-offs, rum running, a classic car parade, walking tours and much, much more, the 40th festival is ready to launch on July 11.

“This one is going to be a little bigger than the others,” said Seafest president David Outhouse in reference to the number of events.

The festival, which has the theme of spirits by the sea, starts with the Pharmasave children’s parade on Main Street at 1 p.m., followed by the mayor’s picnic in Frost Park, on Wednesday, July 11.

“We have several new things, including a Seafest trivia in the Rudder’s tent with Mark Hubbard, Wednesday at 8 p.m,” said Outhouse.

There is a $5 cover charge and teams of four can participate in that event.

On Thursday, the play Romeo & Juliet will be performed in Frost Park. It’s adapted and directed by Jeremy Watkins with fight choreography by Muise Tae Kwon Do and choreography by Kidzact. Donations are accepted but not required.

On Sunday there is a lot planned for the younger set, including Timbeanie making balloon animals and Little Buckaroos at the Coal Shed.

The popular mini mackerel toss (13-and-under) will be held in addition to full size.

Catch 22 will be doing their comedy show at 8 p.m. on Saturday in the Coal Shed.

A pub crawl starts at RC’s Restaurant & Pub on Friday the 13th.

Last year, the Seafest Pageant was not held, but it’s back on July 12 at Th’YARC this year with 10 vying for the crown.

Outhouse says the Coastal Financial Credit Union scavenger hunt will return with prizes. “That’s been greatly recognized and every year it seems to be getting bigger.”

There will be a lobster eating contest (entry fee $10) on Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Killam Wharf gazebo. Participants must register by 3:30 p.m. so the right amount of lobster can be cooked.

“We’re not giving them the fancy tools,” said Outhouse with a smile. “We’re going to give them the bare minimum to work with and there will be a time limit.”

Also, watch for the popular Official Pirates of Halifax on Seafest weekend.

“I’m expecting this to be quite a good year,” said Outhouse.

Seafest summer event co-ordinators Alannah Mullen and Julian d’Entremont are looking forward to registering you for one of many Seafest events. They also have schedule brochures at the Seafest office, located downstairs at Lovitt Plaza in Yarmouth.