Grand Manan to greet new ferry for island

The arrival of a new ferry is cause for celebration on Grand Manan, and islanders have many fun events scheduled beginning on July 1, Canada Day, and ending on Saturday, July 9.
"There's quite an air of anticipation and excitement," says Rob MacPherson, chief administrative officer for the Village of Grand Manan. "This ferry is our lifeline. It's only once in a generation for the people on Grand Manan to have a new ferry come in."
The Grand Manan Adventure is scheduled to leave Panama, Fla., on June 17, and the $65 million vessel should be in the Bay of Fundy by June 24. "It will take an inaugural run on June 30, departing Blacks Harbour at 11:30 a.m. for Grand Manan," reports MacPherson. "At North Head the province will have a program celebrating the first voyage, and there will be tours of the vessel. And at 2:45 p.m. they'll start loading for the first paying passengers."
"The Adventure holds 84 vehicles, so it's 30% larger in size than the Grand Manan V," he adds. "The people who have seen her have been more than pleased with the quality of workmanship. She's built for comfort, and everything is state of the art. We should be very proud of her."
The Grand Manan V is currently in drydock in Quebec, after going aground in May, but she is scheduled to return to service on June 18. she'll be making three trips daily between Blacks Harbour and Grand Manan, and the Grand Manan Adventure will handle the other four trips.
The celebratory fun begins on Friday, July 1, when a free pancake breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Seal Cove Baptist Church. A flag-raising will be held at the Seal Cove cenotaph at 9 a.m., and at 9:30 a.m. an ATV pull will begin at the Seal Cove sand beach.
Be at McLaughlin's Wharf Inn at 11 a.m. for the start of the lobster trap hauling contest. It is open to two-person teams in rowboats of any size.
The greasy pole contest will begin at 12 noon. After lunch several beach activities will be held at the Seal Cove sand beach including a treasure dig at 1:30 p.m. for ages three to six and seven to 10; sack races for ages 10 and under and contestants over 10 years old at 2 p.m.; duct tape races for ages 10 and under and contestants over 10 years old at 2:30 p.m.; the waiter race for contestants under 10 at 3 p.m.; and at 3:30 p.m. there will the judging of the sand sculpture contest. This year's theme is "Great Boats of Our Past and Present."
The public is invited to Anchorage Provincial Park from 2 to 4 p.m. Afternoon events include a bike parade, games, prizes, holiday cake and ice cream and a slip-n-slide.
The basketball court at Seal Cove is the site of "mouse-holing," a timed paintball challenge recreating the Canadian Forces service in Italy during World War II. Contestants can bring their own equipment, but some will be available.
The second annual fire truck pull will begin at 6 p.m. at the Grand Manan Fire Hall where there will also be free Canada Day hamburgers and beverages.
That night there will be fireworks at 10:15 p.m. at Anchorage Park. People are encouraged to come early for toasting marshmallows and games on the beach.
A baseball game will be played on Saturday, July 2, at 6 p.m. in Grand Harbour, featuring past and present members of the administration against public safety personnel. A chicken barbecue hosted by the Grand Manan Rotary Club will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3, at Anchorage Park.
The Grand Manan Tourism Association is hosting a Seafood Festival on July 4 from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on July 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Grand Manan Arena. Attendees will learn how the seafood is caught and processed and will be able to taste samples.
Wednesday, July 6, is the date for a 6 p.m. dinner theatre hosted by the Grand Manan Community School Drama Club in the school's Great Hall in Grand Harbour.
The Grand Manan Boys & Girls Club is hosted geo-caching on Thursday, July 7, beginning at 6 p.m. at the clubhouse located at 1021 Rt. 776.
A "Story Night" is planned for Friday, July 8, at 7 p.m. in Covert Hall. It is hosted by the Grand Manan Tourism Association, and tales will be told about the island's history.
The celebration will end on Saturday, July 9, when the Swallowtail Keepers Society hosts a lobster roll supper with music beginning at 6 p.m. at the curling club.