Coming Events

The Shelburne Longboat Society believes that Shelburne County is well positioned as a destination of choice and is a superb opportunity as a “niche market”. Shelburne County is situated on the third best natural harbour in the world, the area offers one of the most impressive built-heritage environments of pre-1800 wooden structures in the world, the County offers world class museums and heritage sites - including the Birchtown Historic Site - and the physical beauty of the area is unsurpassed. Virtually any outdoor activity is possible in Shelburne County - all in pristine areas that combine physical and mental challenges in an atmosphere of serenity and friendliness. The 2008 celebrations showed that the addition of specific festivals and events to this background spelled success even in one of the most challenging years in tourism history. Having a good product and promoting that product are keys to a successful tourism season whether it be in 2008, 2009 or beyond. There is little doubt that the County has the background draw as described above, but we have also proven that we can add the necessary ingredients to draw tourists to the area even in the most challenging of tourism environments.

The Shelburne longboats have quickly established themselves as heritage icons of the maritime tradition of wooden boat building on the south shore and as such, the Shelburne Longboat Society has already received numerous invitations to participate in events across the Maritimes and even Ontario. These include:

-Tall Ships Festival/Founding of the Royal Navy Dockyard in Halifax, 17-19 July 2009;
-100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy in Halifax & Shelburne in 2010;
-Mahogany Jones 2 - Return of the Privateers in Summerside, PEI in 2011; and
-200^th anniversary of the War of 1812 in Brantford, ON in 2012.

Through these opportunities, the Shelburne Longboat Society can promote Shelburne County in ways that advertising through the media can never achieve. The most notable example will be the 250^th Anniversary of the Founding of the Royal Navy Dockyard in Halifax that will be held as part of the 2009 Tall Ships Festival. Organizers believe that more than one million people will attend the Tall Ships Festival, during which the Shelburne longboats will be part of a 25-longboat flotilla in Halifax Harbour and animators from the Society will promote Shelburne County while participating in an 18^th century marketplace.

Locally, the Shelburne Longboat Society will be pleased to take part in:
-Shelburne County Volunteer Showcase in Shag Harbour, 25 April 2009; and
-Canada Day in Lockeport, 1 July 2009.

Verbal requests and inquiries have also been received for such things as parades, displays, conferences, community programs, etc.