The 2010 Mahone Bay Regatta is history and the feedback I have been receiving over the past week has been most positive. The new venue for the mid-summer weekend festival is a hit!! People liked the changes that have been made and are almost unanimous in their support of it. Visitors to the town as well as citizens have commented on the level of excitement and the laughter in the town last weekend. Some suggested it was the best time they had in Mahone Bay for many years. And although it is still too early to confirm, it looks as if the regatta will be ‘on budget’.
The Burning of the Teaser was an unbridled success. One person commented that in the eight years they had come to festival and viewed the Teazer presentation – “this was the best I have ever seen”. The presence of the Kings Orange Rangers, the Pirates and of course the on-the-water support was noted as most complimentary to the presentation. It is certainly on aspect of the regatta which should be enhanced in future offerings. It seems the minimal amount of fireworks used as part of the re-enactment generated the same level of awe and appreciation as the huge display af previous years.
And the busker entertainment, although a major change in the way entertainment was presented, was a valued addition to the program that was well received by the public. Some of the performers did quite well in the amount of donations they received – a good indicator of the reception of the visitor to the busker format and the entertainer’s talent. No doubt the success of this year’s schedule will attract other buskers in the future.
And of course the Pirates…unquestionably the high point of the weekend for many and the reason why they came to the regatta. If any one element of the regatta points to a successful potential for the future of the event it is the pirate theme. It will no doubt present a challenge to future organizers to expand and enhance the pirate activities but there are many examples across North America where suggestions on Pirate Days can be found. This coupled with the enthusiasm of the pirate crews will no doubt ensure a bright future for the pirate theme for the mid-summer weekend festival in Mahone Bay.
In fact, the whole weekend was a success…the keel boat races, the small wooden boat races, the orienteering event, the treasure hunt, art gallery, workshops, childrens’ boat building, independent art sales…everywhere one turned on the weekend was met with another successful presentation with enthusiastic crowds participating. Visitors were pleased with the events they found; merchants were very happy with the huge crowds in town on the weekend; and townsfolk were happy to welcome the visitors to Mahone Bay.
But none of this would have happened without the involvement and support of the committee. Their morale, motivation and practical support enabled the Regatta. Those who enjoyed the activities presented or derived a benefit from the weekend owe them.
Thank you to all involved!
Dave Devenne, Chairman
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