As chair of the Pictou Lobster Carnival, he’s concentrating on getting the annual celebration ready for its opening Friday night, while secretly hoping the weather works in his favour.
“We aren’t looking at the weather,” he said. “We are scared to. Some people are saying scary words for Friday, but looking good for Saturday and Sunday.”
The 83rd Pictou Lobster Carnival includes a long list of events ranging from musical entertainment to boat races from Friday to Sunday, but nothing puts a damper on the festivities faster than poor weather conditions.
Last year, the carnival lost $20,000 because of cool and wet weather that kept people from its beer garden and main stage. The carnival committee is preparing for the worst this year, by changing the design of the main stage.
“There are four ways of raising money,” he said. “Sponsorship is our biggest, the second is fundraising and the other two are entrance fees to get in and the beer garden. We had to try and protect it. Last year, we had nobody because of the rain and cold, and if no one comes, we don’t sell beer. We had bought $13,000 worth of beer and sent back $9,500.”
The carnival has rented a large tent that will cover the parking lot of the CN station grounds. The main stage will be set up in the middle, with the beer garden on one side and general admission on the other. A grandstand will also be set up for seating outside the tent.
“We are hoping it will make a difference,” McNamara said.
Traditional events such as lobster banding and the king lobster contest will take place Friday evening followed by main stage entertainment that includes Andre Pettipas and the Giants, plus fireworks.
Derby races will take place Saturday morning followed by the Black Battalion Parade and memorial ceremony, modified boat races and lobster boat races.
McNamara said the carnival committee is trying to bring back bed races by making beds available to participants rather than having them bring their own.
Three beds are inspected and ready to go, he said. Teams of five – four to run and one on the bed – are asked to arrive in costume and be ready to compete. Teams can register online or by calling the Lobster Carnival office.
Matt Minglewood and The Dirty Rokkin Scoundrels are the headliners for Saturday night on the main stage.
On Sunday, Caladh Avenue will be closed off for the antique car show, and a dog show will take place at the Pictou Vet Clinic on Sunday afternoon. Categories include waggiest tail, best kisser, best costume, longest tail, shortest tail and best trick. A long list of entertainment is scheduled for Sunday on the main stage, including
Rawlins Cross at 7 p.m.
For a complete list of events, check out www.pictoulobstercarnival.ca.
