Countdown on to second annual South Shore Lobster Crawl
The countdown is underway for the second annual South Shore Lobster Crawl.
Businesses, restaurants, chefs, community groups, lobster fishermen and local lobster pounds throughout the region are among those crawling aboard for the Feb. 1 to 18 festival aimed at increasing winter tourism in the region.
Initiated and organized by the South Shore Tourism Cooperative (SSTC), last year’s Lobster Crawl included nearly 60 events at restaurants, breweries, cultural destinations, sporting events and activities throughout Lunenburg, Queens and Shelburne counties, sparking an increase in visitors to the area. Even more venues are expected to participate this year.
Gaining international media attention last year and back this year will be “Lucy the Lob’STAR!” to make her second annual Groundhog Day prediction. Lucy the shadow-seeking crustacean will crawl out of the Atlantic Ocean at 8 a.m. on Feb. 2 at the North East Point waterfront on Cape Sable Island, joining the likes of groundhogs Wiarton Willie in Ontario and fellow Nova Scotian Shubenacadie Sam to offer their weather forecast of an early or late spring.
In honour of Groundhog Day and Lucy the LobSTAR, Feb. 2 has been designated Lobster Day in the Municipality of Barrington, which carries the official title of the Lobster Capital of Canada.
Special lobster dishes and meals at local venues, a hunt for the municipality’s lobster sculptures and the opportunity to visit a local lobster pound are among the events being planned for the day.
Bragging rights are also on the line again this year for the best lobster roll on the South Shore with the Lobster ‘Roll’ Off! at White Point Beach Resort on Feb. 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. More than a dozen restaurants from Peggy’s Cove through to Barrington are entered in the competition, won last year by Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack in Barrington Passage. The Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse, will be hosting the event and will be joined by lobster enthusiasts to select the winning entry.
Lobster rolls are on the menu daily during the Lobster Crawl at participating restaurants along the South Shore as are numerous lobster dinners and dishes. “Lobster Thermidor, lobster boils, lobster Mac n’ cheese, lobster frittata, lobster chowder, lobster burgers, lobster linguini … how many ways can you serve lobster?” asks Donna Hatt, president of the SSTC and Marketing/Product Development Manager at White Point Beach Resort where a 21-foot lobster will be taking flight for the Lobster Crawl and a multitude of events will be held. From lobster fishing excursions and feasts (Feb. 1 to 3), surfing lessons (Feb. 9 and 14) and the first annual 5km Family Lobster Crawl around the White Point Golf Course on Feb. 9 will also take place.
One of the marque events for the festival Lobster Crawl is the Craft Beer Festival being held at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre in Bridgewater on Feb. 9 from 7 to 11:30 p.m. More than 20 craft breweries/ cideries are expected to be showcased including lobster infused versions. Food, games, activities and live music round out the event, which will support various charitable organizations in the Bridgewater area. If anyone representing a charity or nonprofit and is interested in participating in this event, contact rick@mileeast.com.
Numerous other events are also on the festival schedule, which is expected to be finalized around Jan. 11. For the latest updates on the Crawl, visit https://www.lobstercrawl.ca/ or the South Shore Lobster Crawl Facebook page and Instagram.
The South Shore Tourism Cooperative Inc. is a non-profit organization with about 200 members from Peggy’s Cove to Barrington In December, the SSTC received $64,075 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund to develop a three-year winter tourism plan to grow off-season regional tourism experiences. The SSTC has also organized and promoted the South Shore Christmas Crawl for the past two years as a way to build tourism in November and December.
“The South Shore welcomes guests year round, but many have not yet discovered the many experiences available during our favourite season: lobster season,” said Hatt in a press release. “As partners, we work together to build on the opportunities that will generate positive impacts on our businesses and communities. Undertaking this Winter Tourism Plan will help us attract more guests to the region at times of the year when it has the greatest potential, November to May. It’s an exciting time for the South Shore and Nova Scotia.”