The dragons are coming. Dragon boats, that is.
HarbourFest 2010 has leased three boats from Dragon Boat East for their first annual event.
All safety equipment and the sweep (helmsperson) are provided with the boats. Dragon boats have a complimentary crew of 22 people: 20 paddlers, one drummer and one sweep. Crews for this event are mostly local people with a few teams from away.
The Dragon Boat committee is expecting 20 or more entries and they are filling up fast. The entry fee is $15 per person. Each team is guaranteed a practice session and two heats.

Up, up in the air
Is a hot air balloon ride on your “bucket list”? HarbourFest 2010 is giving everyone – bucket list or not – a chance to have a lifetime experience.
For the adventurous, settle into the balloon’s wicker gondola and float away into the clouds. Perhaps even sing a chorus or two of “Up, Up and Away.” Tethered flights are also available for those wishing to stay a little more connected to the ground. At dawn and dusk spotlights shining of the balloons create a beautiful balloon glow.
For a different kind of up-in-the-air experience take a whirl around the area in a helicopter. Pilot Robert Thorne, of Advanced Heli-Flight Ltd., is a well-respected helicopter pilot who is known around the world. It was he who flew Pope John Paul II on his last visit to Canada. Take a trip with Thorne and get a bird’s eye view of the greatest little village in the world.

Estuary tour
A Friends of the Pugwash Estuary tour is a wonderful way to enjoy the forest and water that is Nova Scotia.
Take this opportunity to see points of interest, learn more about the river and the importance of keeping the estuary healthy.

Boats and poker
Power Boat Poker Rally is a good reason to jump into a boat and have fun. Speed is thrilling but skill is needed, too.
Participants must locate five checkpoints and pick up a card at each point. The best poker hand wins the prize. The cost is $20 per hand.
This is an event for people who have a powerboat, enjoy a game of chance and love excitement. Call Alroy Chase at 667-7526 for more information and/or to enter this event.

For the kids
Kids and festivals just go together. HarbourFest 2010 has many children’s activities planned.
Join in old school games like three-legged and potato-sack races. Take part in the variety of crafts available.
Another event, that is always dear to a child’s heart, is the Cumberland Regional Library’s puppet shows. The puppets will perform throughout each day.
Get a great looking painted face and be daring with tattoos. Sparky the dog, the Fire Department’s mascot, is looking forward to posing with children for pictures.

There’s more...
Many events are still in the planning stages. These include dory racing and double dory racing for men, women and juniors, a street dance and an elementary school dance, canoe and kayak races and an across the harbour golf challenge. As these and many other events are finalized they will appear on the HarbourFest 2010 website and in newspapers.

HarbourFest 2010 is a great opportunity to fundraise for a group’s organization. For additional information about becoming involved call Audrey Bishop 243-2275 or email officemanager@pugwashharbourfest.ca. Visit the HarbourFest 2010 website at www.pugwashharbourfest.ca for information and schedule of events.