Sea Fest returning to Brooklyn

Organizing committee chair, Clair Chandler says, “A lot of people are excited because we’re re-organizing. It’s 2009, we’ve tried really big events for years and because of the way the economy is going this is going to be a great year to pull everything back into the Brooklyn Marina area. It’s no different than what’s done inside everyone’s households. You re-evaluate, restructure and carry on.”

When the Queens Recreation Boating Association Sea Fest committee disbanded last month due to the time commitment involved and smaller crowds last year, no volunteers immediately stepped forward.

Brooklyn resident, Clair Chandler, however, an Association Board of Directors member and Sea Fest volunteer, decided to help. “I really believe it’s an important event for our community and there’s been so much time and effort put into it by all sorts of volunteers and businesses and just about everybody in the community.”

In addition, she says, “A lot of people look forward to it. It’s a big part of the summer and people from out of town, including all of the fishermen, also look forward to it.”

The ninth annual event is scheduled for Aug. 21-23 this year, as there are five weekends in August. Sea Fest is traditionally held during the fourth weekend of the month.

At present, Chandler says, “We’re putting a committee together as people call in, the Brooklyn Marina has been booked, and we’re just pulling in ideas and seeing who we can partner with. We’re looking at partnering because a lot is involved in running an event of this calibre. We (committee) want to focus on the shark and fishing derby, which is how the event started. We also want to look at showcasing the local entertainment we have in the area (instead of a big music industry name) because we do have quite a selection here.”

One of the bigger expenses, the large tent sited each year on the adjacent Brooklyn Waterfront Park, will be replaced with smaller tents on the marina property.

Chandler adds the marina, depending on government regulations, and the waterfront park again offers organizations an opportunity to take advantage of the popular event. “If people are looking at doing stuff in the park on the same weekend, it would be really great because people are already coming down there. I like the word partnering because it gives people a chance to ride on the shoulders of Sea Fest.”

Festival volunteers have always given community charities and not-for-profit groups an opportunity to raise funds during the event. Chandler says, “They have great ideas too and it’s a great opportunity for fundraising.”

Chandler says children’s activities and the fundraiser Row for Charity that will once again be sponsored by Cole Ford Sales Ltd. are also certain. She said they are looking for volunteer organizers for the events listed above in addition to music, the fishing derby, grounds maintenance, accessing sponsors, and other duties as required. Sponsors are also welcome as well, of course. The contact information is queenscountyseafest.ca, brooklynmarina.ca and the marina at 354-4028. Chandler says people can leave their names and numbers on the answering machine.

Chandler is hopeful. She says last year’s numbers were “reflective of Nova Scotia tourism in general… and the price of gas was really high.”

By returning to its roots, she says, “We’re helping keep Queens Co. and Brooklyn on the map. It will be a fun thing to do because we have the passion to make it happen.”

She says she wants to thank everyone who is and has been involved with Sea Fest from past committee members to the sponsors to the volunteers in general.