Kick Off was a great success with hundreds of people at Kinsmen Park for the live music and fireworks. Music was provided by The Flummies, Donna Roberts and the Phantom Slyde Band, Smokehouse, and Matrix. The fireworks display was the best we've seen!
Thank you to all the volunteers and the town recreation staff who helped to organize this event!

Day 2 was FANTASTIC! Over 350 people visited the Celebration of Nations Food and Craft Fair at the College, 5 teams participated in the FUN Mixed Softball Tournament, the GooseJam Skateboard Competition was a great success, and a HUGE crowd showed up for the Matrix 25th Anniversary event.
Congratulations to the organizers of these four events - lots of work involved behind the scenes to ensure each is a success!

Day 3 was sunny and hot. We had a great crowd in North West River at the riverfront park for the gospel concert and lots of families stayed to see and hear Terry Reilly (The Teddy Bear Man) perform. The kids loved it! The Safe Alliance 2nd annual Pride in the Park, at Kinsmen Park, had great crowds and music. The rain held off until late in the evening.
Thanks go out to Liz, Janice, Carol and Emily who volunteered at the Come Home Year events today.

Day 4 - even though it rained today, the seniors still had fun at a great BBQ provided by the Labrador Friendship Centre. At least the rain helped to cool things down, watered the gardens and let's all be thankful that there are no forest fires!
Our thanks go out to the Labrador Friendship Centre for hosting this event.

Day 5 was mostly sunny, but it did rain in the afternoon. The hikers at
Birch Brook Open House got a bit wet, but their spirits were not dampened in the beautiful new chalet! The Moravian Church Community Supper was yummy, about 60 kids and their parents rocked and rolled at the dance at the Royal Canadian Legion. There was a good crowd at the photo presentation in North West River and you still have a chance to view these great memories next week. The crowd was lively at basketball grudge match, although not enough players showed up to make full teams, so the event was a two on two.
Thank you to Arlene, Hannah, Liz, Janice, Glenn, Betty-Anne and all the other volunteers to organized these five events and created fun for our locals and guests.

Day 6 was busy. There was a small but dedicated group attending the military appreciation event. Storm clouds moved in, threatening of thunder storms in the late afternoon, so the aboriginal themed concert was moved inside the arena with about 150 people in attendance to hear the Drum Dancers, a vareity of musicians and two 8 year old throat singers from Nain! Soccer update soon....

Day 7 included a yummy BBQ fundraiser at Queen of Peace Church, fun mixed softball and the first of two performances of 'Wicked Altogether' at the new Lawrence O'Brien Arts Centre. Cooler, but no rain....

Day 8 was fun filled with community open houses around town. It was great for everyone to see the old haunts and the new. The second performance of 'Wicked Altogether" was well attended. And of course, everyone enjoyed the highly anticipated school reunion dance. Crowds were thick at the arena with 850 paid guests and more who snuck in the back door (reminiscent of high school dances of the past). There were hugs and tears and laughs, and the bands were great. Thanks to all the people who stayed around after and helped clean up. And for those who promised to, but didn't...we know who you are....

Day 9 included and action packed ball hockey tournament at the arena (how did they break down and clean up after the highschool reunion so quickly?) and the first day of the North West River Beach Festival with loads of concessions, great food, and music all day long.

Day 10 was another large Labrador day with cool morning temps for runners, and lots of sunshine and a lovely breeze for festival goers at the North West River Beah Festival.

Day 11 was a celebration day with a birthday party for the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and lots of applause for our Special Olympic athletes who brought home 37 medals from the summer games. Balloons adorned the walkway into the town hall. Several Town Councilors and Mayor Abbass greeted the crowds who shared in a great feast of food and sweets.

Day 12 was our dress up day with a tea party for Moms and daughters at the Masonic lodge. Teapots were filled with bouquets of flowers and participants enjoyed raspberry crumble and cheese cake. Results of the Basket ball grudge match to follow...
Our celebration pole banners have finally arrived and are being displayed around town to decorate. Better late than never!! Make sure you mention how nice they look to Town Councillors!

Day 13 included the 40th anniversary party at Amaruk Golf Club with free golf for everyone. Later we had a great turn out at our 2nd concert in the park (the weather cooperated and we did hold it in Kinsmen Park this week!) with a variety of performances and open mic....thank you to all the performers and especially to Regula Schule who amazed the crowds with her Swiss Yodeling!

Day 14 included an open house at the SPCA and a fun run/walk from the town hall for a couple of kilometers, with snacks provided afterwards.

Day 15 was the first day of the 28th Annual Labrador Canoe Regatta. Lots of concessions, great music and super races. Dark clouds threatened most of the afternoon, but the one downpour of rain just helped to cool down the hot temperatures, and did not dampen spirits on the lake!

Day 16 - fabulous weather, great crowds, marvelous musical entertainment, exciting races and amazing fireworks. Plus a great performance by the young drumdancers, and prize winnings donated by the winning ladies team to a friend in need and by the winning men's team, back to regatta to ensure it is successful again next year.

Our farewell BBQ was a lovely ending to our celebration with over a hundred people stopping in for a chat and a snack. We are so glad you all came home for a visit this summer.
Mayor Abbass has instructed us to start planning for Goose Days next summer - another celebration to take place between the North West River Beach festival and the Labrador Canoe Regatta....will we see you then???