Lobster Crawl Festival list of ‘shell’abrations’ reaching boiling point
The countdown is on to the third annual Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl Festival.
Launched by the South Shore Tourism Cooperative in February 2018 as a means to celebrate the lobster fishery and motivate travel to the region in a traditionally ‘non-peak' season, statistics and survey results from previous years indicate the festival “is making a positive impact on participating businesses and will continue to do so as we grow each year,” said Menna Riley, festival director.
The only event of its kind in Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl grew from some 60 events in year one, to more than 100 in year two. “As 2020 approaches, the Lobster Crawl festival is reaching a boiling point as the list of shell'abrations will rise above last year,” said Riley.
Lucy the Lobster will officially open the Festival on Feb. 2 with her Groundhog Day prediction at the North East Point waterfront on Cape Sable Island.
A multitude of events are on tap for the month-long festival at tourism and hospitalityrelated businesses from Barrington, the Lobster Capital of Canada to Peggy's Cove and every port in between.
“This year's festival is set to offer more unique lobsterthemed events, packages and experiences than ever before – emphasising that the south shore is open for business in February,” said Riley.
A survey of listed businesses who participated in last year's Lobster Crawl indicated for the majority, revenues were up, said Riley.
“More survey results indicated the festival raised the profile of their business/organization, increased the number of guests coming to their business/ organization, and gave them a chance to take advantage of new marketing activities for the region. Further to that, some indicated they kept the same business hours while others indicated they decided to increase their hours of operation with many offering new services/ products specific to the festival.”
Overnight getaways, lobster rolls, lobster-infused dishes, lobster experiences, live music, art showcases and workshops, sporting events and other special activities being offered during this year's Lobster Crawl can be found online at Lobstercrawl.ca.
Highlighted events for February 2020's Festival include:
• Lucy the Lobster on Groundhog Day and Lobster Breakfast in Barrington
• Lobster Roll-off Competition and sampling at White Point Resort
• Crawl to the Altar wedding packages in Hubbards
• The Lobster Crawl Craft
Beer Festival in Bridgewater
• Lobster Chowder Chowdown Showdown at Forest Heights Community School
• Spirited Crustaceans lobster and spirit tasting experiences at Ironworks Distillery in Lunenburg
• Go Lobster Fishing & Feast on your Catch (plus overnight stay) at White Point Resort