On the midnight high tide on late on October 13th, a fleet of lobster fishing boats will sail from the wharf in Alma, New Brunswick, to the cheers of a loyal and appreciative community. The autumn lobster season in this small fishing and tourism village kicks off with a festive celebration that draws international attendance, more than doubling the usual population of 252.
All along Main Street, businesses are hosting specials and promotions to help with the celebrations. Event coordinator Jane Chrysostom says the high tide’s midnight launch will be the climax of a full day of activity. “Our Fleet Launch festival honours our fishermen, our maritime culture, and the importance of the industry to our little community. We’ll be out there to cheer them on, and to welcome visitors!”
The festivities begin with a kitchen party at the Molly Kool Centre at 5 p.m. It's a special night and time for this familyfriendly hour of song, dance, music, and story, featuring characters from the history of the area, who once fished the Bay of Fundy waters in Molly Kool's day. An especially notable event will be the announcement and presentation of the second annual Molly Kool Award, taking place at 7:00 pm at the Molly Kool Centre, situated at the edge of Alma Village and Fundy National Park. This prize is awarded to a woman in Southeastern New Brunswick who has made significant contributions to the community in areas of the arts, culture, conservation, and environment.
Then at 8 p.m. the Molly Kool Centre changes gears, and hosts a concert by the Sons of Gael, raising spirits and setting a lively mood with traditional Celtic songs. The local community organization Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee has rallied its members to provide food and goodies under the pavilion at the Alma Village wharf, and mini lobster rolls will be right from our own Bay of Fundy waters.
The interpretive staff at neighbouring Fundy National Park will give lively and engaging demonstrations about the habitat and life of the world-famous Fundy lobster.
The hard-working fishermen don’t punch a time clock, Chrysostom explains; their workday (or night) is totally subject to the tides. Alma has the highest tides in the world, at up to 14 metres. The fleet of lobster boats will cast off their lines as soon as the tide is high enough to float them out, and they anticipate it will be the start of a great lobster season.
Chrysostom started the Fleet Launch event a few years ago with a handful of families and friends, gathering for hot chowder to see the boats off. Over the years, it has grown so much that in 2014, over three hundred spectators packed the village square, at the 3:00 am high tide launch.
“This year, we’ll be celebrating throughout the village all day, while the crews work to fill the boats with lobster traps, endless lengths of rope, and everything necessary to be out on the water for 12 to 48 hours for this first day of the season. It's a colourful, bustling, fascinating glimpse at the amount of work that's involved to put that Fundy lobster dinner on your table, and it's an industry that supports many many families,” she says.
“We recognize the hard work these fishing families undertake in all weather, and share the pride of our Maritime culture with visitors from all over. After all, Alma is a global tourism destination, and the lobsters that our fleet lands at the wharf are shipped all over the world!”
Contact: Jane Chrysostom 8580 Main Street, Alma, NB E4H 1N4 506-887-2213 [email protected]
The festivities begin with a kitchen party at the Molly Kool Centre at 5 p.m. It's a special night and time for this familyfriendly hour of song, dance, music, and story, featuring characters from the history of the area, who once fished the Bay of Fundy waters in Molly Kool's day. An especially notable event will be the announcement and presentation of the second annual Molly Kool Award, taking place at 7:00 pm at the Molly Kool Centre, situated at the edge of Alma Village and Fundy National Park. This prize is awarded to a woman in Southeastern New Brunswick who has made significant contributions to the community in areas of the arts, culture, conservation, and environment.
Then at 8 p.m. the Molly Kool Centre changes gears, and hosts a concert by the Sons of Gael, raising spirits and setting a lively mood with traditional Celtic songs. The local community organization Chipoudy Communities Revitalization Committee has rallied its members to provide food and goodies under the pavilion at the Alma Village wharf, and mini lobster rolls will be right from our own Bay of Fundy waters.
The interpretive staff at neighbouring Fundy National Park will give lively and engaging demonstrations about the habitat and life of the world-famous Fundy lobster.
The hard-working fishermen don’t punch a time clock, Chrysostom explains; their workday (or night) is totally subject to the tides. Alma has the highest tides in the world, at up to 14 metres. The fleet of lobster boats will cast off their lines as soon as the tide is high enough to float them out, and they anticipate it will be the start of a great lobster season.
Chrysostom started the Fleet Launch event a few years ago with a handful of families and friends, gathering for hot chowder to see the boats off. Over the years, it has grown so much that in 2014, over three hundred spectators packed the village square, at the 3:00 am high tide launch.
“This year, we’ll be celebrating throughout the village all day, while the crews work to fill the boats with lobster traps, endless lengths of rope, and everything necessary to be out on the water for 12 to 48 hours for this first day of the season. It's a colourful, bustling, fascinating glimpse at the amount of work that's involved to put that Fundy lobster dinner on your table, and it's an industry that supports many many families,” she says.
“We recognize the hard work these fishing families undertake in all weather, and share the pride of our Maritime culture with visitors from all over. After all, Alma is a global tourism destination, and the lobsters that our fleet lands at the wharf are shipped all over the world!”
Contact: Jane Chrysostom 8580 Main Street, Alma, NB E4H 1N4 506-887-2213 [email protected]
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