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Special Olympics Summer Games – Antigonish 2018

Welcome to the Special Olympics Summer Games 2018

Antigonish is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Special Olympics athletes, their coaches, supporters and families.

The athletes and coaches will be housed on the St. Francis Xavier (StFX) campus and the majority of the athletic events will also take place on campus except for the softball and golf events.

There has been amazing community support with over one thousand volunteers.   The events, except for the ticketed opening ceremony are open to the public at no charge.  Come and view and cheer on the Special Olympics Athletes who are participating from all over Canada.

Several events have been planned to have the participants experience the hospitality and unique experiences of Antigonish and Nova Scotia.

Find out what’s going on at www.so2018.ca  and you can also follow the events live on Bell Alliant.  Details and links are on the Special Olympics 2018 website.

If you are tweeting and sharing on social media use the hashtag  #so2018

While you are in the area enjoy exploring Antigonish and the surrounding areas.

Here are a few suggestions:

 

Fish and Chips and a Drive? Ballantyne’s Cove

What about an afternoon drive out to Ballantyne’s Cove.  Heading out on Hwy 337N from Antigonish, past the Hospital from the end of Main Street you pass through luscious farmlands with views of the ocean.  Then up hill and down dale with wildflowers along the roadside and occasional views of the Northumberland shore.  Just as you reach Ballantyne’s Cove stop at the lookout for a spectacular view of the cove, St. George’s Bay and Cape George beyond.  You can use the map there to identify some of the places that you see including Cape Breton on the horizon.

Stroll around the marina and look at the Tuna fishing boats and pleasure boats.  Learn about Tuna and Tuna fishing at the Tuna Interpretive Centre.  Find some amazing facts about Tuna that have been caught in the area, the largest was over 1400 pounds.  The Tuna season runs from August through October.  Several tuna sport fishing charters are based here.

Behind the Interpretive Centre take a short walk to a crescent pebble beach perfect for dabbling your toes in the warm waters of St. George’s Bay, sunbathing and beach combing.

Enjoy a feed of Fish and Chips from Fish ‘N Ships.  Or select one of their burgers or an ice cream.

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Antigonish Art on Main – Summer 2018

Stroll along Main Street Antigonish and enjoy the summer art scene.  Antigonish is well known as a hub for the arts.

  • Red Sky Gallery. Visit this newest art gallery for a refreshing exhibit of local and Nova Scotia artists.  Paintings and drawings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture.  320 Main Street.
  • Down to Earth Art Gallery. Featuring art by Alan Syliboy, J. Franklin Wright, Kate Brown Georgallas and more. 240 Main Street.
  • Tall and Small. Great coffee shop with baked goods and lunches. Monthly changing exhibit by artists and non-profit groups. 342-2 Main Street.
  • The People’s Place Antigonish Town and County Library. Monthly changing art exhibits by local artists. Commissioned art work in and outside of the library.  Look for the silk banners in the bistro area, murals and art pieces. 283 Main Street.
  • Antigonish Art Fair. Summer art fair with artists, artisans, food and entertainment every second Friday during the summer.  June 20, July 6, 20, August 3, 17.  Chisholm Park with rain location at the new legions, St. Ninian Street.   6:30 – 9:00 PM
  • Grannies Antiques and Gifts. At the east end of town. Antiques and collectibles. 7 Adam Street.
  • Murals. Look for murals around the town.

 

Carol Rivoire at the Old Barn Gallery

Old Barn Gallery – Pomquet

Enjoy 5 galleries of art in a delightful farm setting with seasonal old-fashioned perennial flower gardens. In season the scent of roses fill the air.   The barn built in 1845 has a high vaulted ceiling and displays changing light and shadow on the art and studio.  The original horse stalls are converted to gallery space and Arthur Rivoire’s studio is now a gallery on the upper part of the property.   Views of Pomquet harbour and islands, and the country surroundings are visible from this upper area.

Carol Naveta Rivoire original art works and other noted artists are tastefully displayed in galleries inviting you to browse and soak in the environment.  Galleries include antiques and hand-crafted items such as rag rugs which were a home staple of the past.

The gallery is situated on the 300 acre Beaver Dam Farm, just 10 minutes from Antigonish. Chat with Carol Rivoire, artist/owner and founder of the Old Barn Gallery & Decor at Beaver Dam Farm.  She is a passionate abstract artist and collector.

It is a true experience to visit the Old Barn Gallery and the art is affordable.

During the summer there will be artist workshops.  Check the Facebook page for details.

Old Barn Gallery 71 Melanson Road, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, B2G 2L4  (Pomquet area)

 

Cape George Lighthouse

A beautiful 35 minute (53Km) drive from Antigonish will take you to Cape George Lighthouse overlooking St. George’s Bay.   Highway 337 winds through rolling agricultural lands and along the coast.  Scenic views abound and this drive is sometimes called the “Mini Cape”  or the “Mini Cabot Trail” and is part of the Sunrise Trail.

On a sunny day, enjoy views of Cape Breton Island and Prince Edward Island in the distance.  Perhaps you will see an eagle soaring above or below you and sea birds skimming along the ocean below the cliffs.

Imagine what it was like back in the day as the lighthouse keeper with his family living up here with his wife and children in all seasons.

The original lighthouse was built in 1861.  The iconic white and red lighthouse style is similar to what you would see at Peggy’s Cove.  The current lighthouse is the 3rd on this spot.

Nearby is a trailhead for Cape George Heritage Trail system.

 

Antigonish Farmers Market

The Antigonish Farmers Market is an experience not to be missed.  It is known as one of the best Farmers Markets in Nova Scotia. Fresh local greens, veggies and fruits in season often picked the same morning from local farmers.  You will find hand crafted local cheeses and sausages, preserves, honey, Scottish oatcakes, cookies and cakes, Peace by Chocolate, Steinhart award winning spirits and more.  Buy a spicy burrito or Indian lunch to eat in or take out.

The market is a great place to find unique gifts of hand made jewelry, knitted and crocheted items, photographs, wooden toys, leather goods, stained glass sun catchers, dream catchers, silver and metalwork, soaps and lotions.

A visit to the Antigonish Farmers Market (2017)

A variety of entertainers add to the atmosphere.  The market is a great place to meet and chat with the locals.

The Antigonish Farmers Market is just a short walk from StFX on James Street.

Weekly on Saturday 8:30AM – 1PM

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Arisaig wharf

Arisaig

Arisaig is a small picturesque fishing community on the Northumberland Shore, just a 25 min drive from Antigonish on Hwy 245.

Watch the fishing boats and the gulls.  May and June are the lobster fishing season but some boats continue to fish during the summer months.

Enjoy an ice cream at the Lighthouse Canteen while you explore the colorful rocky cove – or at low tide walk on the sand of the crescent beach and go for a swim.    From July 1 to end of August the Dockside Café has a light menu.  Learn interesting facts about lobsters in the interpretive centre in the café.

There are other interesting things to do in the area to be explored in another post. Stay tuned.

More information

Arisaig Community Website https://arisaigns.com/

Directions – take Hawthorne Street at the lights next to Pannizzza on Main Street Antigonish.  Continue on Hwy 245. Turn left when you reach the shore at Malignant Cove.

Map antigonish to Arisaig

Halifax Seaport Farmers Market

Where can you enjoy a great breakfast, entertainment and a chance to browse and buy from local vendors on your visit to Halifax?  The Halifax Seaport Farmers Market is just the spot.

We visited on a Saturday morning when everything was in full swing.  The “Dispossessed” entertained with their Appalachian music and children dancing.  There’s a great view of George’s Island and the lighthouse.  After enjoying a great cup of coffee and mini quiche with friends on the second floor overlooking the market below we explored the local goodies.  The market has artisans and local vendors with arts and crafts, jewelry and locally produced items like soaps and beauty products.  I was most interested in the local produce and always look for something new to try out.

My most exotic find was a Lions Mane mushroom from Maritime Gourmet Mushrooms just outside of Halifax.  With the variety of shapes and colors of mushrooms it was difficult to choose.  The Lions Mane mushroom looks like a fuzzy ball.  I got instructions on how to cook it and couldn’t wait to try it out when we got home.  I also found local multi-colored carrots, basil and baby spinach and another new veggie for me – celery root.

Here are photos of the veggies including the Lions Mane – and the recipe I cooked up with it and baby spinach.  Yummm

The market is located on the Halifax waterfront, not far from Pier 21 and behind Via Rail.  It is open (winter hours) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Market will be reopening on Mondays starting April 30.

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Bauer Theatre, StFX

Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre

Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre’s 2018 season will be sure to delight audiences with comedy, drama and music.  Festival Antigonish has been running since 1987 and we always look forward to the summer theatre at the Bauer Theatre on the StFX Campus.

Bauer Theatre, StFX

Bauer Theatre, StFX. Photo courtesy Trip Advisor

The 2018 season shows in July and August include Lunenburg, Burnin’ Love, Hope and Gravity, Being Hank & Patsy and Big Sister, Little Brother.

Festival Antigonish 2018 Season Trailer

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