BY WANDA ATKINSON
Clark's Harbour certainly celebrated 100 years of community spirit in style.
July 1 kicked off with the 5K run/walk sponsored by Wilson's Home Hardware.
This was followed by the Canada Day street parade at 10 a.m. with hundreds of people, young and old, lining the parade route. A recurring theme was celebrating the town's 100th anniversary and local heritage.
Following the parade, activities moved to the festival area behind Town Hall. Entertainment acts were added to previous years' lineups. Vendor's Alley – featuring over 40 vendors, with a multitude of goods and lots of food options from fishcakes, to smoked meat, desserts and festival-related food – was a huge success.
Adjacent to the festival area is the F.A. Brannen Memorial Ballfield, where the annual car show took place. After the car show festival-goers lined up in the shape of 100 to commemorate the town's birthday and then enjoyed celebratory cake.
Festival-goers gathered at the ball park for the pre-fireworks concert performed by Gold Rush. The band commented “We have been preforming in Clark's Harbour for four years on July 1 and haven't seen the fireworks yet,” but that was about to change.
The crowning glory was the fireworks display, one of the largest ever put on by the town. Mayor Leigh Stoddart said, "It is a rarity that we get to actually have our fireworks display on Canada Day because the event is weather dependent. I’m more than pleased with not only the fireworks, but the entire day. We aren't sure how we will top this one, but we’ll certainly try next year."
Clark's Harbour will continue their centennial celebrations with a gospel concert July 26 and 27 at the F. A. Brannen Memorial Ballfield. The school reunion will take place July 31 to Aug. 4. The annual Cape Day trip to visit the lighthouse will happen Aug. 10, along with a bicycle Nova Scotia Road Race on the same day.
Mayor Stoddart says there are anniversary events planned for practically every month.
On Sept. 14 there will be a Family Day with a pig roast and kite contest. Sept. 29 the town will host a Fisherman's Memorial Service.
“October is a flurry of activity with the Lighthouse Players Group performing, pumpkin people will be displayed throughout town, and a pumpkin/squash weigh off will take place. October ends with our Haunted House and more events will take place leading up to the Christmas season,” he said.
