Lots of lobster, live music, racing, and wrestling are lined up in Digby at this year’s annual Lobster Bash, happening July 5-7.
Phil Robertson, one of the event organizers, said this is the seventh year for the festival that celebrates the province’s lobster fishery. As always, organizers are on the hunt for fresh events to mix with old favourites.
A new twist this year tests the winners of the annual lobster banding competition against a machine from Arkansas. Alliance Rubber Company is bringing along its lobster banding machine for a demonstration.
“I think the machine is up against some tight competition,” he said. “I don’t think it stands much of a chance against our people, some of them are really fast.”
Each year, the festival is held to celebrate the industry that is so vital to communities like Digby, Yarmouth, and Pubnico, according to Robertson.
“And, of course, we want to encourage everyone to eat more lobster.”
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE LOBSTER BASH WEBSITE
THE FULL SCHEDULE IS ON THE EVENT WEBSITE
If you love lobster, the bash is the place to visit for delicious chowder, lobster rolls, and steamed lobster. Robertson says they try to set food prices shortly before the event in an attempt to keep them competitive.
“We aren’t trying to make money with this festival, but we don’t want to lose money either,” he said. “We are fortunate to have business sponsors to help make this thing go each year.”
Highlights of this year’s festival include live music every night, featuring talent such as Ryan Cook, Sunny Acres, Ruth Manning and the Prospectors, Dave Coggins, Jeff Tooker, and Gary Halliday.
The Washer Toss tournament is back, along with the Strongman Truck Pull, the Recycled Raft Race, the Fish Tub Derby, and the Brenton Merritt Memorial Lobster Crate Run.
Country music kicks off the events Friday evening. The lobster omelette breakfast starts the weekend line-up with the annual Mud Dash, rope splicing and rope coiling competitions. Jimmy Flynn and championship wrestling will round out the July 6 activities.
Sunday’s line-up includes lots of childrens’ activities, including rides in a monster truck, more music, and friendly competition. The festival winds down with sunset events such as the parade of lights and the grand finale, a short, sweet, and dazzling display of fireworks.
If you go: This year’s Lobster Bash takes place July 5-7. For more information, visit the website www.lobsterbash.com or the Facebook page.
