2024-01-17
The month of the lobster on the South Shore
SOUTH SHORE – A reason to get out of the house in February.
It may be cold and often windy here on the South Shore during the winter months, but that doesn't mean activities have to slow down.
The annual Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl is back next month, celebrating its sixth year. The promotional event stitches events celebrating the ubiquitous lobster together across the South Shore, from Barrington to Peggy's Cove and all points in between.
Events are scheduled throughout February under the Lobster Crawl umbrella, created and hosted by the South Shore Tourism Cooperative (SSTC).
All of the events and updates can be found on the web page: visitsouthshore.ca/lobster-crawl.
Stephanie Miller Vincent, the co-ordinator for SSTC, said there are several new events and the traditional events that all celebrate the lobster and says that it's been a great success since being introduced in 2018
"It is a success on every level," she said. "Every year we have businesses that are new participating, whether that means they're a new business in the area, they haven't been open in February before, or they are just new to the festival."
Miller Vincent said people have come from near and far and her and her volunteers love to hear stories about people's crawls.
"We love to hear stories. Last year we had folks who came from B.C. that we talked to in Barrington while Lucy was crawling out of the Atlantic," she said. "We also have a family last year from the Ukraine who are now living in the Halifax area. They ended up in Barrington for the lobster dinner and it was their first time eating lobster."
She encourages everyone to share with the businesses they are at, on their Facebook page, or with one of the volunteers.
"We're always curious as to where people are from, who long did they stay and what they did."
A passport program this year will have people sharing some basic information. Participants can pick-up passports and collect stamps from participating businesses on the South Shore. Once complete, they can turn it in for a chance to win some Lobsterrific prizes.
The crawl kicks off officially Feb. 2 at 8 a.m. when Lucy the Lobster crawls out of the frigid Atlantic waters at the Cape Sable Island Causeway to see if there will be six more weeks of winter or not – who needs a groundhog?
Feb. 4 marks the annual roll-off competition that will be held at the Michelin Social and Athletic Club this year from 1 to 5 p.m.
Twelve food establishments will put their best claw forward to try and win the coveted award for having the best lobster roll. Winner of the past two years was the Osprey's Nest Public House.
"It's the first signature event that we ever did and it grows and changes every year," said Miller Vincent.
Returning to the line-up this year after a couple of years off is the Chowder Chowdown Showdown that was held in Chester and at the Forest Heights School in 2018 and 2019. This year it makes its return and will take place at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Shelburne. There will be 12 establishments competing for the title, and although it is a judged event, those in attendance will get to try some samples and vote for the fan favourite.
One of the confirmed judges for this year's event is Captain Phil Watson of the Bluenose II and you can bet that he knows his chowder.
Want to do a food tour? Expert Cailin O'Neil will be doing four lobster crawl tours this year, two through Bridgewater's main street and one each in Barrington and Mahone Bay.
The Bridgewater tours will take place Feb. 10 and 17 and will start at Fancy Pants Café and up to 12 participants (each time) will walk and talk all things lobster, while checking out between four-and-six fantastic lobster spots.
In Barrington and Mahone Bay, participants will take in several places including Amos Pewter to create your own lobster claw keychain. These are scheduled for Feb. 3 and 24. Watch for updates on the website and on Facebook.
Two other popular contests are making their return. O'Neil will be hiding lobster pounds (wooden coins), one each of which will be hidden on each of the 29 days at a different South Shore business or locations. Clues will be posted daily on the lobster crawl Facebook page. Winners are those who find the coin, take a selfie and tag the South Shore Lobster Crawl on Facebook to let everyone know that the coin has been found.
Another event that began last year was 'Captured by the Crew' where lobster boat crews could post photos on Facebook for a chance to win some great prizes courtesy over Vernon D'Eon Fishing Supplies.
This contest started last November and continues through to Feb. 16.
"We had a significant number of entries last year. We saw things like sunrises, sunsets, photos of the crew working, waterscape photos and some strange ones like a sculpin that was caught, or last week, we had a blue lobster video that came in, that in just seven days, reached 10,000 views on our website," said Miller Vincent.
"We started the contest because we know that there are people who don't know how the lobster gets to their plate. We wanted people to know and appreciate what it takes to get their lobster from water to plate. It's like a 'back of the house' tour that people don't get to see otherwise."
One other contest, that is now closed, was recently closed, gives the opportunity for a member of the public to become the face of the Lobster Crawl for one year (along with Lucy, of course). The Lob'Star contest allowed contestants to send in videos to try and win this prestigious position that includes being a judge at the Lobster roll contest. The winner will be announced Jan. 18.
Along with these, there are so many other events for everyone of any age including colouring contests, stay and play packages, a lobster creation contest, musical and theatre events, gallery tours, free skates, trivia contests, paint nights, needle felt, a lobster crawl ball, lobster games and new this year, a lobster bingo brunch at the Quarterdeck resort.
