Founders Days festival coming together

By Kathy Johnson

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

The Shelburne Founders’ Days festival is shaping up to be another class act again this year with new events added and old favorites back for encore performances. “We want to make Founders’ Days a destination,” said Penny Smith, chairperson of the Founders Days’ committee. “We want it to be an event that’s free for people to enjoy. We want people coming back.”

This years Founders’ Days’ celebration on Shelburne’s historic waterfront will run from July 16 to 19 and will carry the theme “Year of the Lobster” in recognition of the vital role that the commercial lobster fishery plays in the community. “We’re trying to get as many lobster activities as possible,” said Smith, such as lobster boil and lobster chowder suppers.

New to Founders’ Days’ lineup this year is a dog agility show, the coastal oldies car show and a gospel service hosted by Lockeport recording artist Jamie Cotter. “A dog show has been a perennial request for four years,” said Smith. The “Glooscap Hot Dogs” will stage two performances at the Guild Hall during Founders’ Days.

Playing a major role in Founders’ Days again this year will be the 18th century Loyalist Encampment by the 3rd New Jersey Volunteers.

Besides opening the camp to the public, the reenactment group will also stage various demonstrations as well as semi-professional theatrical presentation.

Games, music, entertainment, contests, sporting events, displays, a regatta, the parade of lights and fireworks are among the other events on tap during the four day festival. “Last year we found the washer tournaments to be very popular so we’re going to hold them again this year,” said Smith.

A basketball skills competition, the annual five-mile road race, and canoe races and jousting are among the other sporting events on tap.

As for music, local artists will be playing everything from country and bluegrass to rock and roll for a street dance during Founders’ Days. “We tried to mix it up,” said Smith, estimating about 20 hours of musical entertainment has been booked for the festival.

The Shelburne County Idol contest is also back this year, as is Shelburne Deal or No Deal and the 52 Pick Up contest sponsored by Transcontinental Media with a $2,000 cash prize.

Smith said the committee has also been able to secure a donation from VIA Rail of a round trip from Halifax to Toronto worth $2,000 as a fundraiser for Founder’s Days. “We’re going to start selling the tickets on that prize in June and will draw the winner’s name during Founders’ Days,” said Smith.

The Founders’ Days committee is also taking the first steps this year in going green, and will be urging vendors to use compostable cutlery and plates, eliminate the use of Styrofoam, and to purchase condiments inn bulk rather than individual packets. “We’re looking at Founders’ Days being a green event,” said Smith, adding there is funding available through the Resource Recovery Fund Board for non-profit groups wanting to switch to more environmentally friendly products.

Smith credited local businesses for their support, and fellow staff at the Municipality of Shelburne and the Town of Shelburne for their hard work in bringing Founders’ Days together. “It’s a lot of work but when you see the people enjoying themselves it’s worth the effort,” she said.