Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Welcome to Fascinating Facts and Tantalizing Trivia

A Hartson Dowd Column

July 16, 2006

Many summer festivals in Canada celebrate food.  It is a time of growth and rich harvest.  In our eastern province of Newfoundland there is one such festival, celebrating not something grown, but something caught.

The ‘Exploits Valley Salmon Festival’ is an annual event in the Grand Falls—Windsor area of central Newfoundland.  2006 Salmon Festival Dates Thursday, July 13 - Monday July 17

 History

The Exploits Valley Salmon Festival in Grand Falls-Windsor began in 1985 as a three-day regional celebration in honor of the migrating Atlantic Salmon. A weekend of "Fish and Fun While the Salmon Run" was developed to enhance environ-mental awareness and focus attention on one of nature's most spectacular phenomena.

Today, the Exploits Valley Salmon Festival is a major international festival, attracting visitors from all over the world. From 1991 to 1998, the festival was selected by American Bus Association as one of North America's Top 100 Events. In recognizing the Salmon Festival, the A.B.A. acknowledges the contributions of volunteers, businesses and municipal leaders while praising the local flavor, community spirit and family focus of the event. 

 This festival is a five-day event to celebrate the catch of the salmon season.  There is fine dining, music and dancing, with concerts from some of Canada’s best known performers.

If you enjoy salmon, you would love this mid-July festival, and the host people will go out of their way to make sure you are properly welcomed.

Salmon Dinner
The 2006 Exploits Valley Salmon Festival swings into high gear on Thursday, July 13th with the traditional Salmon Dinner   and Opening Ceremonies.  Festival Chairperson Susan Sullivan will preside over the dinner at the Joe Byrne Memorial Stadium, starting at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and main course at 7:00.  This year's patron is Olympic Gold Medallist Brad Gushue.

Newfie Night
Joe Byrne Stadium is the place to be on Monday, July 17th for Newfie Night.  Doors open at 4:00 p.m. for a "Newfie scoff" featuring the best traditional Newfoundland food, the hilarious "Screech-in", and music.  The "Newfie scoff" is open to the general public.

Family Day
All these events take place on Centennial Field and are free to the general public. Join Bob the Builder and his friend Markus as they sing and laugh their way through a perplexing building project, with a little help from the audience! 
Can he fix it? YES he can!

A Gospel Concert will take place at Centennial Field at 6:30 pm.

A.N.D. Co. Summer Theatre presents "Nunsense II Dinner Theatre, Royal Canadian Legion, Queen Street at 6:45pm.
 
Our newest event, Neptune & Nectar... A Taste of Culture (featuring Chef Steve Watson) will take place at the Mt. Peyton Hotel with background music by Deb Power.  
Tickets $25.00 each, can be purchased at hotel.

No visit to Grand Falls-Windsor would be complete without a trip to the Salmonid Interpretation Centre, located near the banks of the Exploits River. This is one of the largest Atlantic Salmon Enhancement projects in North America. View migrating salmon from the observation windows in the lower deck. As well, enjoy a hot meal at the restaurant there or check out their gift shop. This facility is wheel-chair accessable. For further information, call 709-489-7350.

Just down the road is Sanger Memorial Park. This RV park has 40 fully serviced trailer and RV sites with water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups and shower and washroom facilities. Reservations are required and you may also call 709-489-7350 to book a site.

Another Newfoundland Drama Company, a local theatre group, entertains the town with their dinner theatre and lunch time show held at the Royal Canadian Legion. Come enjoy some traditional Newfoundland food with a heaping side-dish of fun. For more information, please call 1-877-822-7469.

The Corduroy Brook Nature Trail offers a sense of serenity and an attractive setting suitable for all ages and abilities .This nature trail takes participants on a scenic journey along Corduroy Brook. It is nature's beauty at its best.

Grand Falls-Windsor is a safe, clean, family-oriented town. We welcome all visitors to visit our town and check out our website: http://www.grandfallswindsor.com/.

Hartson Sager Dowd                                                                                                            hsdowd@telus.net