Around 45, 000 locals and tourists will visit Shediac next month as they celebrate shellfish.
The 75th annual Shediac Lobster Festival runs from July 5 to 14.
“It’s nine and a half full days of entertainment and programming that we’ve put together. Lots of exciting things for the 75th anniversary,” President Pascal Haché says.
He adds it’s the biggest edition to date, with a bigger musical lineup, events, and activities for everyone, featuring new and past favourites.
That includes La Grande Table, Corks & Claws, the Annual Claw Run, and Campbell Amusements, who will be on-site for an extra day this year from Tuesday, July 9th until Sunday, July 14th.
There are several concerts to choose from, including Salebarbes’ only two summer concerts in New Brunswick, Les Hay Babies, Signal Hill, The Mellotones and Melanie Morgan.
A culinary stage is also being added this year, with food demonstrations from renowned chefs such as Dennis Prescott, and The Kilted Chef.
They’ll also feature the festival’s first-ever Lobster Roll challenge, with seven participating municipalities known for their lobster rolls.
“Shediac is undoubtedly the Lobster Capital of the World, but every corner of the Atlantic boasts the best Lobster Roll recipe. So, once and for all, we have to show everyone that the Lobster Capital of the World has the best Lobster Roll recipe,” says Roger Caissie, Mayor of Shediac. “We’re ready to defend our reputation, so the Lobster Roll Challenge is on.”
La Grande Table received national coverage last year. It is a big community feast on Main Street, with a long table that can hold up to 1000 people.
The festival site has also grown. The grounds have expanded to include more tents, stages, and additional vendors.
“We have visitors from Quebec, from the United States that come in for the festival, and the Maritime regions. Lobster is part of who we are in our culture here in the Maritimes. So I think when we have an opportunity to celebrate, people come together, and they come to enjoy the delicacy and everything that we put together around it,” Haché says.
The Shediac Lobster Festival will host its first fine dining experience at Park NB’s Parlee Beach, a beautiful event space by the beach. The Succulent, an evening of fine dining by the beach featuring New Brunswick’s best will bring together the province’s best chefs to prepare a six-course meal specifically curated for the occasion.
The third annual Claw Run will feature a 5K and 10K, and championship races this year.
“Participation has been going up every year. It brings you right to the grounds of Parlee Beach. And it’s a very nice run in the morning, and people really enjoy the circuit,” Haché adds.
On July 11th, the re-signing of the municipalities’ twinning agreement, along with their
respective renowned festivals, will take place on stage between The City of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana,
and The Town of Shediac. The original agreement between the municipalities was first signed in 1970.
Haché encourages anyone who is thinking of going to any of the events at the Festival to purchase their tickets early because some are already sold out. More details can be found on the Shediac Lobster Festival website.
“We couldn’t do it without our volunteers, and we have so many people involved. We’ve had so many volunteers for the years to build up to what it is today.”
