Most festival organizers agree it takes at least 10 years before an annual event really hits its stride. If the schedule of events for the ninth annual Lund Shellfish Festival is any indication, the community of Lund may be culturally ahead of the curve once again.
Featuring vendors, music, tours and seemingly unlimited amounts of shellfish, the community festival has grown into one of the area’s most anticipated events, celebrating the historic fishing community.
“Shellfish is a big part of what Lund is all about,” said Ann Snow, the festival’s committee coordinator and co-owner of SunLund By-the-Sea Campground and Cabins. “We also have so many artists living in the Lund area, so this is our chance to showcase all of that.”
Running Friday, May 27, until Sunday, May 29, the festival has expanded over the years to include more food vendors, cooking demonstrations, a chowder challenge, expanded live music schedule and cruise and tour options.
“The size of the festival is about as big as we are ever going to make it because of the limited space,” said Snow. “We were able to increase the number of vendor booths and we’ll have more food vendors, too, simply by maximizing and making the best use of the space we have.”
Organized by Lund Community Society, the festival is the perfect chance for area businesses and the community to show off their wares.
“We’re always happy to put on the Lund Shellfish Festival. It’s one of the highlights of our year,” said society president Roy Blackwell, also owner of the Boardwalk Restaurant. “We’ve expanded food vendors and the craft and artist booths this year, as well as developing a really good music program. So it’s a little bit bigger this year.”
An important part of the festival is the shellfish booth run by Active Malaspina Mariculture Association (AMMA). Featuring oysters and other shellfish prepared a variety of ways, attendees can sample some of Lund’s most bountiful bounty for $5 per serving.
“The festival is Powell River’s chance to ger out there and savour the products lovingly grown by local aquaculturists,” said AMMA president Andre Comeau.
Another large part of the festival is the music program, featuring local musicians on the waterfront stage located between Nancy’s Bakery and the Lund boardwalk. Blackwell said he looks forward to the program, this year featuring Little Pharmer, Lotus and the Wildflower, Lund resident Lukah Bouchard and more.
“I love the music,” said Blackwell. “One of the big highlights is the wonderful music and the musicians.”
Snow agreed that besides the wonderful shellfish, music is a highlight of the festival. She added that the community coming together is what she appreciates the most.
“Really, it’s all about the people,” said Snow. “But, oh, the food! I’m partial to mussels, so I’m hoping the food coordinators have arranged to have some mussels.”
Snow said due to smaller turnouts in previous years on the final day, the festival has arranged for different menus and activities on the Sunday this year.
Priding itself as being a waste-free event, Lund Shellfish Festival is a true community celebration with volunteers coming together to make it happen, said Snow.
“It’s just such a welcoming and eager community,” she said. “We’re all proud of what we have out here and it’s our chance each year to share all that we have, including the wonderful bounties of the sea.”
