A special summer event

Nick McGrath is predicting a great impact when East Meets West Meets North (EWN) collides in Labrador City this summer.

The chair of the four-day event (scheduled for July 29-Aug. 1) said things are shaping up quite nicely and he is pleased to be onboard with the other two municipalities (Mt. Pearl and Corner Brook) that are hosting separate events as well.

The EWN expo in Labrador will include everything from trade show exhibits to entertainment at its best.

Big on entertainment

"One of the largest components of the East Meets West Meets North Expo is the entertainment, which is all free of charge to the general public," state McGrath. "This is a wonderful opportunity for upcoming entertainers and existing musical talents to audition and showcase their talents."

McGrath agreed there's an awful lot of planning and attention to detail that goes into planning such an event and it will coincide with the Labrador West Regatta but he said the committee sees it as an exciting challenge.

Though it is a Labrador City initiative, McGrath said the Town of Wabush will likely be onboard with support for the event.

"I was talking to the mayor, Ron Barron, he was very interested in being a part of it," he said. "So, it is certainly looking favourable that Wabush will be coming onside."

Exciting acts/events

The main activities will happen in the Humber Avenue area of town, according to McGrath, who describes the proposed setup and activities planned.

"There will be a tent city hopefully in front of Gallery 201," he described. "I will be approaching the Gallery 201 [management] to see if we can work something out. The street will be closed off to traffic for the four days. Also, the youth centre is working closely with our committee and they will accommodate with electric, washroom facilities, and we will use their parking lot."

The tent city will be the venue for the trade show. This, McGrath pointed out, is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to showcase their products and services. There are booths committed from outside as well. Space is limited, he said, as businesses from outside have also booked booths.

Included in the tent city area will be a main stage and that is where residents will be able to take in the many entertainment acts scheduled.

"We will have international buskers, these are trained jugglers, mimes, fire eaters, that type," said McGrath. "These buskers are trained by Cirque du Soleil. There will be performances throughout the day from hypnotists, magicians and other children's entertainers."

A first for Lab. City

The EWN is a provincial event that brings the three municipalities together, offering a showcase of what the municipalities have to offer.

Though Mt. Pearl and Corner Brook have taken part for the past three years, this will be the first time for Labrador City.

"We will have a presence at Mt. Pearl as well as Corner Brook and then there will be representatives from those two municipalities who will take part in ours," McGrath said. "This will take place in the east in Mt. Pearl from July 15 -18, then it will be Corner Brook in the west from July 23-25 and finally they will come north to Labrador City where we will host from July 29 - Aug. 1."

Regatta bonus

Having the provincial expo concur with the biggest summer event in Labrador West is an added bonus, according to McGrath, who says the entertainment portion will move to the Regatta site at Jean Lake July 30.

"I think this will be a huge success," he said of the planned events. "This is a great opportunity to showcase what Labrador West has to offer because a lot of people don't know when it comes to lifestyle and amenities and to job creation, exactly what we have."

editor@theaurora.ca