By Kristy Grear
THE VANGUARD
Nova News Now
The fourth Celebrating Communities Conference will take place in Yarmouth this week.
The conference is held every two years by the provincial department of economic development.
“It’s always been meant to celebrate the greatest achievements in communities in terms of growth, innovations and inspiration,” says Steve Warburton, an organizer of the event.
Last year the event was held in Turo and this will be the first chance Yarmouth has been given to host the conference. Sept. 28, 29 and 30 Yarmouth will welcome a mix of entrepreneurism, innovators and the best in community leadership that the province has to offer.
“The southwestern area of the province hasn’t been a host before and we want to share the best of Yarmouth with the province,” says Warburton.
Southwestern Nova Scotia has provided community roots for such entrepreneurs as Acadian Seaplants Ltd, Vernon d’Eon Lobster Plugs, the Pubnico Wind Farm, A.F Theriault to name a few on the list of nominees and presenters.
“There’s great examples of doing it right and being successful in the Yarmouth area,” says Warburton.
Some of the area’s community leaders will be on hand throughout the three-day event, he says, including Allister Surrette president of Universite Sainte-Anne; Jean-Paul Deveau founder of Acadian Seaplants Ltd. and Pam Thibault Energy Coordinator for the Municipality of Clare.
The conference will take place at the Rodd Grand Hotel and the Mariners Centre with cultural excursions through the Yarmouth area.
“It about celebrating the grassroots and sharing practices in communities. What works in one community can work in another,” says Warburton.
Although the conference sessions themselves aren’t open to the general public, there is a community farmers market Sept. 28 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the conference centre at the Rodd Grand Hotel that is open to all. Booths will be set up by L’Atelier de Clare, Aline’s Crafts, Emilia’s Smoothies, Hilltop Cottage Farm, Carino Confections, Eel Lake Oyster Farm and Le Conseil des arts de la Baie.
There is also a Cultural Event taking place at the Mariners Centre on Wednesday evening. The event runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 plus tax. The evening will featue comedic mime Ryan Doucette, the dance troupe La Baie en Joie and the award-winning Acadian group Grand Derangement.
