The Shediac Lobster Festival, which began as a humble lobster boil in 1949, has reached new heights in its 75th year. Festival president Pascal Haché shared that planning for this landmark celebration began two and a half years ago.
"It's been an amazing ride so far," Haché said about this year's festival, which kicked off on July 5th. "People are present, the rides are busy, and our events are full, so we can't ask for much better."
This year's festival boasts larger and better attractions, including musical acts such as the Hay Babies and Salebarbes. A new addition is a free shuttle service, in partnership with NB Liquor, transporting attendees from Moncton, Dieppe, and nearby campgrounds. "The shuttle program has been very popular with festival goers," Haché noted.
Carnival games and rides, like the ferris wheel and the Zipper, continue to draw crowds. Beau Miller, a supervisor for Campbell Amusements, has been working the rides and games at the festival for 45 years. Reflecting on his first experience in 1979, Miller recalled, "One thing I like about this festival is the very first time I came in, all downtown was lit up. And that just got me right there like, Shediac, wow. I always remember that."
Miller shared that working at carnivals saved him from a troubled past. At 16, after a brush with the law, a judge gave him an ultimatum: "get a job or go to jail." He found work at a carnival behind the halfway house he was living in, and he has been in the industry ever since. "This is a way of life, this is not work," he said.
This year's festival also featured more culinary experiences, including chef demonstrations on unique ways to prepare lobster. A longstanding favorite, the lobster eating competition, took place on Saturday. Five contestants raced to de-shell and eat two whole lobsters without utensils. Serge Boucher, the winner for the second time, said, "I've been eating lobster all my life, so I'm accustomed to it. I had to go against my friends, so it's more ego than anything!" he laughed.
The festival will conclude on Sunday with La grande table, where diners will enjoy a lobster dinner at a long table set up on Shediac’s Main Street.
Source: Suzanne Lapointe (Jul 13, 2024). Shediac Lobster Festival ‘bigger and better’ in 75th year. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/10622165/shediac-lobster-festival-bigger-and-better-in-75th-year/
Picture is from Tourism New Brunswick
