The Shediac Lobster Festival’s 75th anniversary edition proves to be the biggest and best one yet with over 40,000 people in attendance

SHEDIAC, NB, July 25, 2024 - The Shediac Lobster Festival, New Brunswick’s oldest festival, celebrated its 75th anniversary with more pride, more excitement, and, of course, more lobster than ever before from July 5th to July 14th, 2024. Over 40,000 people attended this year’s festival, compared to 30,000 in previous years and 2000 pounds of lobster was served, thanks to long-time festival partner, The Shediac Lobster Shop.

​

“The 75th Shediac Lobster Festival was a remarkable success, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible,” said Pascal Hache, President of the Shediac Lobster Festival. “We witnessed a record number of people celebrate with us throughout the ten days of celebrations. It was truly amazing to watch unfold. The weather was very cooperative, and visitors from all over joined our community to discover the very best of what our region has to offer.”

​

Festival events and concerts were market size this year, with two performances by Salebarbes and Les Hay Babies in the Grousse Tent – Salebarbes’ ONLY summer concerts in New Brunswick – as well as performances by Signal Hill, The Mellotones and Melanie Morgan. The festival also welcomed Mixbus which travelled throughout Shediac during the festival with a mix of up and coming, and local performers from the region on its mobile stage. It was also the first year the ANBL Safe Ride program was offered on July 12th and 13th, ensuring everyone could have fun at the highly anticipated evening concerts. 1150 people took advantage of the free shuttle service and returned home safely. 

 

“Our staff, volunteers, partners, sponsors, and community members were instrumental in putting together this year's unforgettable Festival,” added Pascal Hache. “Our 75th anniversary edition has not only put our passion for all things lobster at the forefront, but it also showcased our community's vibrant and welcoming spirit.”

​

On Thursday, July 11th, the Town of Shediac and the Lobster Festival welcomed friends from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, for the re-signing of the municipalities' twinning agreement, the original of which was first signed in 1970. It was an evening of celebration in the Grousse Tent, with performances by Cajun band T’Monde from Lafayette, Louisiana, and local favourite Hert LeBlanc. The Kilted Chef was also in attendance to serve gumbo to attendees, which he prepared with delegates from Breaux Bridge and their renowned Crawfish Festival.

​

“This year's festivities also marked a historic moment with the renewal of our twinning with the community of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana,” added Mayor Caissie. “The Shediac Lobster Festival, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival and both municipalities look forward to enhancing the longest-standing Acadian-Louisiana twinning agreement and creating additional opportunities for exchanges between Acadian and Cajun cousins.”

​

Campbell Amusements returned for another year and the festival grounds doubled in size to welcome the Culinary Stage, new this year, which featured food demonstrations from renowned chefs such as Dennis Prescott and The Kilted Chef. It was also home to multiple lobster eating contests throughout the week, as well as the festival’s first-ever Lobster Roll challenge on July 9th, which featured seven participating municipalities known for their lobster rolls. Chefs and judges from Cap-Acadie, Dieppe, Moncton and Shediac, New Brunswick, Summerside and Charlottetown, PE, and Barrington, NS, came together as chefs created and judges voted on the ultimate lobster roll. Chef Jordan Holden, Executive Chef at Atelier Tony in Dieppe, was named the winner of the Lobster Roll Challenge. 

​

“As an event planner, you always hope that what you envisioned and logistically planned out turns into an entertaining event for attendees,” shared Julie Arsenault, Executive Director of the Shediac Lobster Festival. “And that it was! It really was so much fun, and all participating municipalities, judges and chefs, were really great and on board when we first reached out with the idea. Our true East Coast spirit shone through, and we plan on making this an annual competition.”

​

In addition to another sold-out Corks & Claws, the Shediac Lobster Festival hosted Ales & Tails on July 6th, 2024, hosted by Hub City Foodies’ Jason Gallant, as well as the festival’s first fine dining experience, The Succulent, at Parlee Beach Provincial Park’s event space by the ocean on July 12th. Over 100 guests joined host Dennis Prescott for an incredible six-course meal specifically curated for the event and prepared by the province’s best chefs, including Chef Gene Cormier, Chef Jenna White, Chef Jon Morrison, and Chef Jordan Holden.

 

And finally, La Grande Table, the festival’s most beloved event, welcomed 700 people to its long communal table on Main Street on Sunday, July 14th, for a traditional lobster dinner. Organizers agree, it was the perfect end to what was a lobster festival to remember.

​

“A festival of this size doesn’t just happen on its own; people who’ve cared about their community for the past 75 years made it happen and are the reason the beloved Shediac Lobster Festival is still here and thriving today. This year, we had 325 volunteers with a total of 2500 volunteer hours. That’s pretty incredible!” added Julie Arsenault. “The Lobster Festival’s board of directors, the Town of Shediac Municipal Council and town employees are also all Shediac residents and take great pride in their festival. We wouldn’t have delivered the edition we did without their support and aligned vision. It was a lot of work, but it was also truly magical.”

​

“The Festival's 75th anniversary was a memorable one,” said Mayor Roger Caissie.

“The community enjoyed traditional rides, lobster-focused culinary events and incredible entertainment not only on the Festival site, but elsewhere in town. Congratulations to the organizing committee.”

​

“Thank you for joining us in this very special celebration, and for making the 75th edition one for the history (and record!) books.” shared Pascal Hache. “We cannot wait to welcome you next year. Keep an eye out for event ticket pre-sales, and book your vacation from July 5th to 13th,  2025 where another lobster-filled celebration week awaits!”