Pictou Lobster Carnival – Celebrating 90 Years by the Sea!

As the entire 2024 Pictou Lobster Carnival Leadership Team was busy planning and gearing up for the upcoming events and festivals, we were able to trap Carnival Chair, Glen Jackson, for a few moments to talk about this celebration that has been 90 years in the making.  We learn that this carnival is more than just a three-day festival in early July that celebrates the end of the lobster fishing season.  It is a signature Nova Scotia event celebrating Maritime culture, music, and East Coast Lifestyle.

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Twenty years ago, Glen Jackson left Ontario for Nova Scotia. He looked and visited many towns, but when he came across Pictou, he called it “a Goldilocks situation”— the town was just right for him. After years of enjoying the Pictou Lobster Carnival as a spectator, in true East Coast fashion, Glen decided to volunteer and use his love of music to help build upon the already well-established profile of the live music showcased at the carnival, and last year Glen was elected to be chair.

The Pictou Lobster Carnival was originally called Lobster Fishermen’s Day. The first carnival came about when a group of local men—J.E. McKenna, William (Bill) A. Broidy, J.F. MacDonald, J.A. Fisher, and T.A. MacKay—requested support from the council for the celebration. Bill Broidy was President of the Maritime Packers and was a major contributor to Pictou and its local groups. He and the other men wanted a way to celebrate the lobster industry and to grow the bond with the community. Permission was granted and the first carnival took place on July 11, 1934. In 1936 the Pictou Lobster Carnival had a very special guest, as famed baseball player Babe Ruth attended the carnival while in Pictou County for an exhibition game.

Eventually, the festival rebranded to the Pictou Lobster Carnival, and it has grown and evolved over the past ninety years into a Signature Event in Nova Scotia.  At one point it was even a week-long event, but these days the carnival is primarily held between Friday and Sunday and to celebrate the significant milestone of ninety years of the carnival, many new and traditional events will be held from July 5th to July 7th, 2024.  The Carnival’s main draw is the music, which Glen is particularly proud of. He tries every year to get a combination of big-name Canadian established, up-and-coming, and local artists, from a variety of genres to suit all tastes. Previous acts that have played the Pictou Lobster Carnival include Big Sugar, Classified, Great Big Sea, and last year Sass Jordan plus Loviet who is now making her name on the international festival and touring stage across North America. This year’s main stage is back at the waterfront site similar to what was done for the Pictou 2023 celebrations last summer.  Since the pandemic, the main stage has sold out every Friday and Saturday night and 2024 is no exception.  Currently, there are only a limited amount of all-age passes left for this year’s event and they are going fast.

The 2024 Pictou Lobster Carnival’s main stage will feature four headliners to kick off festivities at the waterfront in a big way and includes Matt Mays, The Blue Stones, Rum Ragged, and Hello Darlins.

On Friday the show starts with Nova Scotia’s Jud Gunning, whom Glen calls an amazing folk picker and singer. Next up is Maritime’s favourite, Slowcoaster. Headlining Friday night is Canadian indie rock singer-songwriter powerhouse and JUNO Award winner Matt Mays, and the popular local musician Albert Dunnewold closes out the night. 

Saturday afternoon includes free entertainment from the Pictou-local bands Ashley George Band and Spyder MacDonald Trio. Glen is enthusiastic about both local acts, noting that he hopes Ashley George Band plays “Pictou Proud,” a great sing-along song, and one of many great songs George has written.

The Saturday evening show opens with WHYGO, a group so popular that they’re playing back-to-back years at the Pictou Lobster Carnival. Next up is Skunk Motel, an all-female group with heavy riffs and a bass that grooves. Headlining Saturday night is the up-and-coming Canadian blues-rock duo, The Blue Stones. Finishing the night is a Pictou Lobster Carnival main stage is The Fuzz Petals. 

Sunday’s lineup shifts the vibe a little, starting in the afternoon with the all-youth Bluegrass band County Connection. Next up is Morgan Toney, a JUNO-nominated Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer from Cape Breton.  Juno Award nominee Canadian folk music band Rum Ragged from Newfoundland, takes the middle slot, followed by the Canadian folk-country band and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, Hello Darlins, who bring to the stage their distinct hybrid of country, gospel, and blues. Closing Sunday evening’s Carnival stage is long-standing Nova Scotian entertainer Hal Bruce.

There’s a secondary stage for even more music, located at the Marina on the Pictou Waterfront. There will be performances throughout Saturday and Sunday, with acts like Petra Moriarty, Andrew Gillis, The Sidekicks, Take 2, Good Time Sally, and many more.

Though the music makes up a large part of the Pictou Lobster Carnival, it’s far from the only activity. Glen and the carnival volunteers work to ensure that there are inclusive activities that cater to every age and budget. Throughout the carnival, people can take advantage of Hinchey’s Midway Rides and Games, which runs from Thursday to Sunday. The New Caledonian Club has lobster dinners all through the weekend (at least until they sell out!) and other restaurants throughout the town have their own lobster specials. Across town, visitors can find face painting, food trucks, and a variety of other vendors. 

The weekend has a variety of other events to attend as well. There’s a lobster banding competition, dory race, lobster boat races, trap hauling contest, and an antique car show.  Young and old kids alike will love Friday night’s fireworks, and Saturday morning’s children’s parade, where they can dress up in costumes. Before the parade, enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast at the New Horizons Seniors Club. There’s a Little Mermaid & Prince Neptune Pageant, and on Saturday evening visitors can take in the big Mardi Gras Street Parade, with floats representing the ninety-year history of the Pictou Lobster Carnival.

Outside of the Carnival, Glen encourages patrons to take in the town of Pictou itself. “Without the community,” he explains, “there would be no carnival.” The Pictou Lobster Carnival is non-profit, and the only way everything comes together is because of the fishermen, the volunteers, and the support of local businesses. As of last year, the carnival had 70 volunteers, some of whom have been working with the carnival for decades. They hope to recruit and increase the volunteer pool, with a goal of 100 volunteers this year. Considering the population of Pictou can inflate from 3,500 to 14,000 or more throughout the weekend, pulling off the carnival with 70 volunteers is an incredible feat.  It truly shows the passion for the event and the town itself and why this is North America’s Longest Running Lobster Festival. 

The tremendous support of local businesses and volunteers helps keep the carnival affordable for locals and visitors to Pictou. “Everything is costing more these days, not only here but all across the country,” Glen acknowledges. In years past, even the main stage of the Lobster Carnival was free. In recent years, to cover expenses and bring in quality entertainment, they had to start charging for the main stage headlining shows. That said, the Pictou Lobster Carnival is still a highly affordable option when looking at other festivals and events across Canada or even here in the Maritimes. There are several accommodation options, including several local inns and bed & breakfasts, cottage rentals, and even camping.  Glen was quick to add, “To any of your readers thinking of opening a hotel, motel, or inn please come to Pictou County. We need more.”

The ultimate goal for the volunteer team at the Pictou Lobster Carnival is that with growing interest, the carnival and town can grow alongside it, with bigger stages, extra accommodations, and more. In the meantime, though, the Pictou Lobster Carnival has something for every budget and everybody. “Even if you’re not into seafood, God forbid, there’s still lots to do,” Glen sums up with a laugh.

Ninety years into this carnival celebrating Pictou’s fishermen, it’s still a community cornerstone. This year the Pictou Lobster Carnival reflects on its history, while also planning for an even bigger and better future for the next ninety years of North America’s Longest Running Lobster Festival and Celebration.

by Amanda Stellisano