DIGBY, N.S. — “Digby Scallop Days has been a family favourite for many years,” says Cheryl Forrest, chairperson for the Digby Scallop Days Association.
Like an Old Home Week, Forrest says families have been planning their vacation and reunions or even school reunions around the dates of the festival for years.
“The festival brings people from across the country back together in the little town they grew up in, increasing our economic growth in relation to the shops, restaurants and accommodations in our town,” says Forrest.
The Digby Scallop Days committee has been bringing a top-notch, family-friendly event to the area for the past 45 years, making it the area’s longest-running festival. This year’s 2019 festival dates are Aug. 8-11.
The aim of the festival, says Forrest, is to celebrate scallops, the scallop fishing industry and the people who brave the seas to harvest them.
“We want to recognize all who work in this industry, as it is a very hard job, dealing with weather along with the effort to harvest the scallops, and also recognize the loss of fishermen throughout the years,” says Forrest.
The scallop fishery is one of the main industries in the community and has put Digby on the map for this succulent mollusk, she adds. It is no surprise Digby is known world-wide for its scallops and that it is deeply ingrained in the area’s history.
Digby’s fishing history talks about the First Nations teaching settlers how to fish for scallops, and at one time, the Digby wharf had the largest number of registered scallop boats.
“Our scallops are the best because of depth and coldness of the waters. Our scallops have a rich, sweet taste and can be found in some of the best restaurants around the world,” explains Forrest.
Since the very beginning, Digby Scallop Days has featured the ever-popular shucking competition. Competitors compete in a timed event to shuck 100 scallops. Points are awarded based on the cleanliness of the scallop, with deductions for cuts in the meat or when it is not clean. This event is open to all scallop fishermen and women in the industry. Last year’s winner came from the south shore, who will be returning this year to defend his title, says Forrest. Winners receive a trophy, there are cash prizes for the top three positions and bragging rights for the year, she adds.
Other popular long-time events include the annual show-and-shine car show, displaying all makes and models of cars. There is free registration and prizes are given throughout the show.
“Visitors and locals can visit our Point Prim Lighthouse and go to tidal pools to learn about our aquatic creatures and the tides with two local retired science/biology teachers who have been volunteering to do this event for many years,” she says, adding that it’s a great free event for the kids and adults alike.
Finally, the running for Scallop Days Queen in the leadership competition is an event that started from the beginning, with Forrest herself having been a princess in 1981. The winner is also given the chance to compete in the Apple Blossom leadership competition the following spring, says Forrest.
Forrest says there will be plenty of new events alongside the old favourites. This year, watch out for both mermaids and pirates, she adds. There will also be fire performers throughout the town over the weekend.
“We are looking forward to a successful event, seeing everyone enjoying the festival and participating in various events,” says Forrest.
“We work hard all year in planning. Knowing we have contributed to a festival that is family-oriented, with as much as possible free for everyone to enjoy, is our success.”
She points to the team effort the committee puts in to hold the festival every year.
“Our board of directors and volunteers work hard to ensure everyone has a great time,” she says. “Without them, our festival would be lost.”
Go online: More info at www.digbyscallopdays.ca
SCALLOP DAYS SHEDULE:
Note: See any festival schedule changes or updates on the festival website or festival Facebook page
THURSDAY, AUG. 8
• 11 a.m. Seaside Ramble: Point Prim
• 7 p.m. Queens Coronation: Digby Pines
FRIDAY, AUG. 9
• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendors open: Admirals Walk
• 4-8 p.m. Aqua Golf: Admirals Walk
• 5:30 p.m. Scallop Shucking Competition: Digby Centre
• 6:45 p.m. Opening ceremonies: Digby Centre
• 7-9 p.m. Scallop Days BBQ: Digby Centre
• 7-10 p.m. The Saunders Brothers: Digby Centre
• 10 p.m. Small fireworks display: Digby Centre
SATURDAY, AUG. 10
• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendors open: Admirals Walk
• 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Slow Pitch Ball Tournament
• 8:30 p.m. 5K & 10K Fun Run
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aqua Golf: Admirals Walk
• 10 a.m. Children's Parade: Digby Centre
• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Scallop Days BBQ: Digby Centre
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Great TimBeanie Magician/Balloonist: Digby Centre
• 12 to 4 p.m. Marv & Friends: Bandstand
• 1-3 p.m. Shucking Demonstrations: Digby Centre
• 1-2 p.m. HMCS Cadet Band: Digby Centre
• 2 p.m. Tim Horton's Grand Street Parade: Water/Warwick
• 3-8 p.m. Beer Garden: Digby Legion
• 3:30 p.m. Pirates' Story Time and Pirate Costume Contest: Digby Centre
• 3:30 p.m. Mermaid Meet & Greet and Mermaid Costume Contest: Digby Centre
• 5-8 p.m. One Night Only: Bandstand
• 4-8 p.m. Aqua Golf: Admirals Walk
• 6:30-8 p.m. FREE Public Swim: Digby Pool
• 8 p.m. Incendia Motus Fire Show: Digby Centre
• 9:30 p.m. The Tragically Hip Tribute, Official Scallop Days Fundraiser Dance: Sunset Pub
SUNDAY, AUG. 11
• 8 to 10 a.m. Breakfast with the Pirates: Subway
• 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendors open: Admirals Walk
• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aqua Golf: Admirals Walk
• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Show & Shine: Water Street
• 11 a.m. Kids Scavenger Hunt: Fishermen’s Park
• 11:15 a.m. Scallop Shell Decorating: Fishermen’s Park
• 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Scallop Days BBQ: Digby Centre
• 12 p.m. Ocean View Dance Academy: Digby Centre
• 1-3 p.m. Shucking Demonstrations: Digby Centre
• 1-5 p.m. Woodsmen Competition: Heritage Centre
• 2-4 p.m. Swim with the Mermaids: Digby Arena Pool
• 6-8 p.m. Whisky Creek: Digby Centre
• 8 p.m. Sunset Ceremony: Fishermen Wharf
• 8:45 pm. Closing Ceremonies: Digby Centre
• 9-10 p.m. Whisky Creek: Digby Centre
• 10 p.m. Grand Finale Fireworks: Waterfront
• 10:10 p.m. Incendia Motus Fire Show: Digby Centre
