Excitement building for this week's Wedgeport Tuna Tournament

By Tina Comeau

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

The boats haven’t landed their catches yet – let alone left the wharf – but the excitement is already evident in Wedgeport, Yarmouth County, N.S. which will play host to a tuna tournament this week.

While the highlight of the week will be the weigh-ins on Saturday, activities have been planned throughout the week to coincide with the tournament.

As of last week, there were 11 boats and teams registered for the tournament, which will get underway Wednesday, although Tuesday evening there will be a send-off at the break water wharf.

People are invited for the captain’s send-off at 6:30 p.m. Doris Bain, an organizer of this week’s events, says they’re hoping for a good turnout.

“Last year we had a few people and we’re hoping this year we get more,” she says. “There’s a lot of people that are saying they want to be there and there’s a lot of relatives coming and they want to be there for the send-off. It’s kind of a tradition to see family members off. It’s nice to see them off and wish them luck.”

Last year was the first time in 31 years that a tuna tournament was held in Wedgeport, although in the three years prior to that a tuna tournament was a component of the local Shark Scramble. This year is the first year since the olden days of the international tuna matches that the weigh-ins will occur at the Tuna Wharf.

Another key component to this week’s events is the return of a tuna tournament pageant. Seven young women from the area are participating in the pageant, with the queen being selected on Thursday evening. Those participating include Lyndsey Pothier, Adrienne Cottreau and Alison d’Entremont, all of Wedgeport; Lise d’Entremont of Pubnico, Ashley Saulnier of Surette’s Island and Martine Muise of Quinan. A unique twist to the pageant is also the fact that Charlene Honey of Wedgeport, another of the participants, is the daughter of Susan (Pothier) Honey who was the last tuna queen crowned in 1976.

QUICK GLANCE:

The following is a schedule of activities taking place in Wedgeport this week:

•Monday, Aug. 18: wine and cheese, 7 p.m., Wedgeport Tuna Museum, tickets $5 per person, limited number of tickets available.

•Tuesday, Aug. 19: captain’s send-off, 6:30 p.m. at the break water wharf. Teams will be departing for their 12-hour sail to the fishing grounds. No cost to public.

•Wednesday, Aug. 20: teen dance, ages 14-18, from 8-11 p.m. in the tent behind the Wedgeport Tuna Museum. Cost $5 per person.

•Thursday, Aug. 21: junior fishing derby from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the break water wharf. Youth up to age 16 can participate, register at museum. Draw prizes.

•Thursday, Aug. 21: Wedgeport tuna tournament pageant, 7 p.m. in the tent behind the Wedgeport Tuna Museum. Dixacadie performing. Cost $5 per person.

•Friday, Aug. 22: Beer garden with live entertainment, 4 p.m. to midnight at the tent behind the museum. Beginning at 7 p.m. there will be a cover charge of $5. •Saturday, Aug. 23: 1 p.m. weighing of tuna at Tuna Wharf; 2 p.m. auctioning of tuna; 3 p.m. closing ceremonies. There will also be a beer garden with live entertainment running from noon to 1 a.m.

As well, there will be free shuttle service on Aug. 22 and 23 within the Wedgeport area.