Something for everybody

Plenty to do during summer months

Here we are the middle of July, the weather is beautiful, and visitors from far and wide are exploring our countryside.

Those visitors are inspiring us to pay closer attention to our beautiful surroundings and to remember just how lucky we are to live in such an amazing area.

With so many visitors coming in from Europe, the U.S and from right across our own country, I am so pleased to be able to have such an amazing variety of activities to be able to share with them.

July and August are filled with local festivals which are always such a big draw for our guests. They love our community festivals especially ones pertaining to our culture and customs and being able to take part in our local breakfasts and community dinners, being able to sit among local residents and being made feel welcome.

Visitors coming into the Visitor Centre are always commenting on the friendliness of our people, not just in Richmond but all around the island. People are so willing to stop and ask if they need help, or add advice on things they might find interesting. To visitors, this says so much about our Cape Breton roots.

And we still have a lot of festivals scheduled through July for everyone to enjoy. The 21st Annual Codstock will take place at LeNoir Landing in Arichat, on Friday, July 22, starting at 8 p.m. You must be 19 or over to enter event. This year’s opening act will be Kenny Pettipas and his full band. Headlining the event will be an east coast band - Donair Supply. Tickets are available from DIMA. On July 23, the fun continues with the Codstock Family Fun Fest at LeNoir Landing for folks of all ages. There will be kid’s games, a beer tent, a barbecue and a silent auction. Prizes include a VIA Rail Canada $1000 trip voucher and many more great prizes. And entertainment will be provided by one of the best Cape Breton entertainers of all time Robert Bouchard. Time of the event is 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Admission is $5 and kids under 10 can enter free.

The festivals continue until the end of the month with The L’Ardoise Acadian Festival in L’Ardoise from July 28 to July 31. The Fest of St. Anne will take place at Chapel Island from July 27 to August. 1.