2021-08-25

South Shore businesses lighting up this summer and fall amid Patio Lantern Festival

by GAYLE WILSON

  • <p>FACEBOOK, PATIO LANTERN FESTIVAL IMAGE</p>

A number of South Shore businesses are taking advantage of funding from the province to light up the summer and fall with live music, food and drink specials, summer décor and a variety of activities for the new Patio Lanterns Festival.

The festival, which runs until October 11th, was created by a partnership between Develop Nova Scotia, Events East, the Halifax Regional Municipality and Discover Halifax. It's goal is to infuse support into local businesses, provide opportunities for musicians and artists, and create a vibrant atmosphere throughout the province.

Funding support for grants has been made possible through the Nova Scotia COVID Response Council and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). These grants were made available to bars and restaurants through partner destination marketing organizations, such as the South Shore Tourism Cooperative (SSTC).

Conversations with business, government and community leaders around the province during the last several months, orchestrated by the Nova Scotia Business and Labour Economic Coalition (NSBLEC) and the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, resulted in a tactical recovery plan, one of which is the Patio Lanterns Festival.

According to the SSTC, 18 South Shore businesses have been earmarked for grant support under the program, including BernArt (Blockhouse), Kitch'inn (Mahone Bay), Saltbox Brewing Company (Mahone Bay), Lightship Brewery (Lunenburg), The South Shore Fish Shack (Lunenburg), 27 South at the Best Western Plus (Bridgewater), Ospreys Nest Public House (Petite Riviere), Petite Riviere Vineyards (Crousetown), White Point Beach Resort (White Point), The Tuna Blue Inn, Restaurant and Marina (Hubbards), The Ship's Galley Pub and Eatery (Shelburne) and Sea Dog Restaurant (Shelburne).

Sean Sears, co-owner of Petite Riviere Vineyards, said the company received a $2,100 grant.

"We are very grateful, as it makes some decisions much easier," he told LighthouseNOW in an email.

Last year the vineyard continued to host musical events "even though we lost money at most of them," he said. "We felt the community needed social outlets, and we had a role to play."

However, he noted that operating amid COVID-19 health protocols, "some mandated and some added to protect our customers and staff," is more expensive.

"These funds will allow us to host events with less concern for their ensured profitability," said Sears.

"We are very close to the musical community, and these folks need to play - this is a great initiative and very timely. One of our roles is to promote new acts, and we will use these funds to host younger or new musicians to our region," he added.

Andrew Tanner, a co-owner of Saltbox Brewing Company, told LighthouseNOW, that each of the company's three locations received $2,100 under the program.

"We couldn't be happier and are working hard to identify several bigger name acts to include in the celebration," he said in an email.

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