Pictou’s party is just beginning

The town’s historic waterfront on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland shore is celebrating two momentous events: the 250th anniversary of the landing of the Ship Hector and the 150th anniversary of its incorporation

By Alec Bruce

Fewcommunities get a chance to commemorate a seminal event in any given year. This year, Pictou — a town of 3,200, charmingly nestled against the warm, blue waters of the Northumberland Strait — gets two.

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

“2023 is a significant year for Pictou, with two monumental anniversaries: the 250th anniversary of the landing of the Ship Hector and the 150th anniversary of civic incorporation,” explains Mayor Jim Ryan. “Over 20 community organizations are partnering with the town to host events and activities to celebrate.”

With two critical public gathering spaces, Market Wharf and the deCoste Centre for Arts and Creativity, under development, the town will transform the former laundromat waterfront property into a Pictou 2023 event site from June 17 to Sept. 17.

Here, a summerlong schedule of musical performances, festivals, heritage events, markets, and more, will play out. Organizers say it may be too soon to predict the sheer numbers who’ll crowd happily into the historic downtown, but words like “unprecedented” and “epic” aren’t far from their lips.

“Amenities will include an 8,500-square-foot event tent to seat over 350,” Ryan says. “There’ll be a beer garden featuring locally made beverages. In fact, the town has issued an Expression of Interest to local breweries and operators for proposals.”

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

What’s more, there’ll be vendor kiosks highlighting Nova Scotian products, services, tourism, and recreational experiences. There’ll be art installations and play areas for kids. For the foot-weary who simply want to relax amid the festivities, there’ll be Adirondack chairs, hammocks, and picnic tables.

“Few communities in Canada can boast of having two such significant anniversaries,” says Troy Greencorn, executive director of deCoste Centre, which is undergoing a major expansion and renovation this year. “We are assembling a collective of partners to stage over 30 concerts and major events over the summer.”

The focus, of course, will be the beautifully restored Hector, with volunteers tending the ship. The new Hector Interpretive Centre, wharf, marina, and boardwalks will complement the experience.

The Hector is “wood, but covered in epoxy and fibreglass cloth, so completely watertight,” says Vern Shea, manager of the restoration project. “There will be composite material on the top sides. To keep the traditional look, there’ll be Douglas fir sheathing on the deck tops. Down below, the decks will be rigged just like 1773. We’re going to have a little reception area for, say, a corporate sponsor who wants to have a meeting on board or go for a sail. There’ll also be the new crew accommodations.”

The moves are a no-brainer, adds Greencorn. “As a harbour town, the waterfront is the perfect gathering place,” he says. “The (event tent), surrounded by a welcoming community gathering space, reflects a great vision and plan for Pictou’s waterfront, and we are confident this summer’s events will build momentum for further development and events.”

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

With civic celebrations aplenty, Pictou’s waterfront will be abuzz throughout 2023.

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

Photo by DeCoste Centre

At press time, the event schedule was a work in progress. Check pictou2023.com to see what’s new. Meanwhile, here’s a sneak peek (including some old favourites).

McCulloch Centre 2023 Exhibit, May 1 to Oct. 31. This spring, summer, and fall the McCulloch Centre and Genealogy Centre will feature a special exhibit showcasing three anniversaries: The landing of the Ship Hector’s 250th Anniversary (showcasing pioneers and their ancestors), the Town of Pictou’s 150th anniversary, 150 years through photography, and McCulloch Centre’s 50th anniversary — 50 years through photography.

Pictou Harbourview Market. This weekly artisan market showcases Nova Scotian talent up close and personal throughout the summer, with fresh-baked goods, plants, wood crafts, stained class, and more.

New Horizons Hector 2023, June 21. New Horizons 50+ Club welcomes Pictou Landing First Nation students. This event will take place in the morning.

Summer Solstice Ceilidh, June 21. Presented by the Pictou Celtic Arts Society, hosted at McCulloch House Museum & Genealogy Centre, this features live music, face painting, a bouncy castle, ice cream, and more.

Pictou Lobster Carnival, July 7 to 9. Started in 1934, this three-day festival has become a signature event in Nova

Scotia. Celebrating the end of the lobster fishing season in the area, it’s rich in Maritime culture and music. The event features musical entertainment, beer garden, Mardi Gras parade, children’s parade, antique car show, derby races, lobster boat races, midway rides, lobster dinners, fireworks, and other activities.

Pictou 150 Anniversary Celebration, Aug. 8. Pictou celebrates 150 years of incorporation on Natal Day with live entertainment, children’s activities, food, and fun.

Pictou Lobster Carnival.

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

Genealogy Conference, Sept. 9 to 10. Ship Hector Descendants is hosting this genealogy and history conference, beginning with a keynote speaker and including a day of lecture-style talks and presentations, and a second day of tours and small group activities.

Loch Broom Log Church Service, Sept. 10. Rev. James Drummond MacGregor arrived in Pictou County from Scotland in July of 1786, and on Sept. 17 of that same year, the first session of the First Presbyterian Church of Pictou and New Glasgow was convened. The log church at Loch Broom was constructed on the site of that first service as a commemorative replica in 1973.

Hector Regatta and Bluenose II visit, Sept. 14 to 17. The Bluenose II will sail into Pictou Harbour to celebrate the Ship Hector 250-year anniversary. Come aboard for a visit and maybe even a sail. Sail boats from around the region will fill the harbour as they participate in a weekend-long regatta.

Ship Hector tours.

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

Ship Hector Tours, Sept. 15 to 17. See the great unveiling, the first opportunity to see the restoration progress on the Ship Hector. Visitors will be able to step aboard the ship, which has been on blocks in the yard, and experience the below deck atmosphere. Walk along the newly finished upper decks. Members of the restoration team will be on hand to explain the process of the restoration. The relaunch of the Hector is planned for 2024 when all components and propulsion systems are in place.

Descendants and Friends Banquet, Sept. 15. Save the date! After a welcome from a Scottish bagpiper, enjoy local, award-winning musicians John “Spyder” MacDonald and Ship Hector descendant Amelia Parker, who will perform “Bless the Ship Hector.”

Gaelic Cultural Events, Sept. 16. Come take part in Gaelic cultural events like milling, frolic, storytelling, and Gaelic workshops.

Loch Broom Log Church.

Photo by Steve Smith, VisionFire

2023 Passenger Descendants Reunion, Sept. 17. The Ship Hector Passenger Descendants (and friends) Reunion.

Hector 250 Tattoo, Sept. 17. Don’t miss this spectacular show featuring singers, dancers, pipers, and fiddlers in a pageant of Celtic and Indigenous culture.