The initiative is one that’s been pulled together by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce
Kathy Johnson | Posted: March 3, 2023, 10:29 a.m. | Updated: March 9, 2023, 8:32 p.m. | 11 Min Read
A celebration of the works of Maud Lewis is being celebrated as part of an Animated Projection Show being projected onto the side of the Western Branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Jim MacLeod Square in Yarmouth as part of March Fest, a month-long festival of events and activities that’s been organized by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. The show runs Tuesdays to Sundays starting at dusk. The first three weeks are a celebration of Maud Lewis. The second three weeks will be a celebration of spring. TINA COMEAU PHOTO
YARMOUTH, NS – The Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating this month’s arrival of spring and Yarmouth’s vibrant downtown with March Fest – a month-long festival filled with fun activities for all ages to enjoy.
This is the first time the chamber has hosted March Fest.
“We’re building off the success of The Evergreen Festival extension held this winter,” says Jen MacMillan, project assistant with the chamber.
“Our goal with these events is to support our local businesses and encourage a sense of community,” she says. “We want to highlight the great things that our town has to offer. We’re trying to involve lots of organizations, whether it’s directly as a participant in something like the hot chocolate competition, or through helping to promote events that they’ve already got on the go.”
The feature attraction will be an animated light projection show that will transform the side of the western branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia from Tuesdays through to Sundays at dusk. The show begins March 7 and runs for six weeks, says MacMillan.
A celebration of the works of Maud Lewis is being celebrated as part of an Animated Projection Show being projected onto the side of the Western Branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Jim MacLeod Square in Yarmouth as part of March Fest, which has been organized by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. TINA COMEAU PHOTO
“The first three weeks will showcase the beautiful works of Maud Lewis and the second three weeks will celebrate spring and some of the features that make Yarmouth unique.”
“We’ll also have week-long intermission shows for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, so be sure to visit more than once.”
March Fest kicks off on March 3 with a Hot Chocolate Competition, that runs to March 8. (Originally it was to end of March 5 but it was extended.)
“Ten amazing local businesses have created their own specialty hot chocolates. Customers can try the various entries and vote for their favourite creation. As a thank you for voting, they’ll be entered to win one of five $100 gift cards,” says MacMillan.
A map to help guide people through the March Fest hot chocolate competition. FACEBOOK
Participating businesses include Blueberry Fields Bakery Café; Futura; Gale’s Eatery (in the Rodd Grand Hotel); Heritage Brewing Co; Iceworks Dairy & Espresso Bar; Pair-A-Dice Bistro (in the Yarmouth Mall); Sip Cafe; Sister Sundays Cafe (in the Canadian Tire parking lot); Studio Yarmouth Cafe & Gallery; and The Style Merchant.
With activities ranging from shows, markets, workshops, and live music every Friday night at Heritage Brewing Co. March Fest offers something for everyone, says MacMillan.
“Mariners on Main is also running a variety of activities for March Break for all ages. Another exciting event will be the town-wide Scavenger Hunt running March 24 to 26. Teams will compete to complete missions throughout Yarmouth, including riddles, GPS check-ins, photo challenges, and more! Winning teams will receive prizes – and of course bragging rights as well! Team Leaders can register their teams for free at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/marchfestscavengerhunt or by calling 902-742-3074.”
The side of the Western Branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is the perfect screen for a projection show that is running for six weeks as part of March Fest. TINA COMEAU PHOTO
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Note: You can find additional information about March Fest on the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page and on the chamber’s website, along with schedule information and updates.)
• March 1-18: The Secret Codes – African Nova Scotian Quilts Exhibit at the Yarmouth County Museum. This exhibit features some of the meticulously handcrafted quilts made by Nova Scotia’s Black communities from the past century. These amazing quilts are records of community and family history, as well as a celebration of Black women and Black culture.
• March 2-4 and 9-11: Murder on the Orient Express at Th’YARC at 7:30 p.m.
• March 3-8: Hot Chocolate Competition. Visit participating businesses and try their featured beverages. Each purchase = 1 ballot to vote for your favourite entry. When you vote, you’ll also be entered for your chance to win one of five $100 gift cards. Participants: Blueberry Fields Bakery Café; Futura; Gale’s Eatery (in the Rodd Grand Hotel); Heritage Brewing Co; Iceworks Dairy & Espresso Bar; Pair-A-Dice Bistro (in the Yarmouth Mall); Sip Café; Sister Sundays Cafe (in the Canadian Tire parking lot); Studio Yarmouth Cafe & Gallery; The Style Merchant. Be sure to check individual participant’s hours of operation.
• March 3-5: Live music at Heritage Brewing Co at 8 p.m. by Marc Durkee & Danielle Mahood.
• March 5: Yarmouth Makers Market at the Yarmouth Lions Club from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission. Gift basket raffle in support of SHYFT House
• March 7: A six-week Animated Projection Show begins on the side of the Art Gallery building in Jim MacLeod Square. Runs Tuesdays to Sundays starting at dusk. Runs for six weeks. New show starts on March 28.
A celebration of the works of Maud Lewis is being celebrated as part of an Animated Projection Show being projected onto the side of the Western Branch of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Jim MacLeod Square in Yarmouth as part of March Fest, which has been organized by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. TINA COMEAU PHOTO
• March 8: Barter Based Learning – Beginner’s Crochet with the Tri-County Folk School. Learn a new skill in exchange for bartered items (e.g. handmade crafts, eggs, baked goods, etc.) Seats are limited. Check their events on Facebook to register.
• March 8: Evening in Mexico Pop-Up Dinner by The Rural Foodie at 6 p.m. at Jacob’s Loft. Five-course dinner with a glass of wine. $60/person, to register text 902-307-6402, message on Facebook, or email ruralfoodie.ns@gmail.com
• March 10: Mario Day at Pair-A-Dice Bistro (Yarmouth Mall); Live Music at Heritage Brewing Co at 8 p.m. by Matt Muise & Cory LeBlanc.
• March 11: Hello Spring Market at the Yarmouth Mariners Centre by The Mom Market South Shore starting at 10 a.m. Free admission. Featuring local vendors, live music, a princess meet and greet, kids craft area and more.
• March 12: Barter Based Learning – Intro to Soap Making with the Tri-County Folk School at 1 p.m. Learn a new skill in exchange for bartered items (e.g. art or crafty items, baked or home-preserved goods, candles, seeds, plants, etc.) Seats are limited, register in advance.
Live music is a big part of the events at Heritage Brewery and that will be the case on dates during March Fest as well. CONTRIBUTED
• March 13-18: March Break Activities at Mariners on Main, which includes: March 13-17 March Break Day Camp at 8 a.m. to 4 or 5:30 p.m. Kids will have arts and craft time, some physical activity and games and lots of swimming. March 13-14 baking camp for kids. March 15-17 Learn to play racquetball. March 18 Teen Takeover starting at 7 p.m. This is a free event for teens ages 12 to 17 or those who are 18 and can show a valid high school Student ID. During this event, Mariners on Main will be closed to the general public, so teens can enjoy the use of the swimming pool, basketball court and games room including our Nintendo switch. Call 902-742-2155 to register for events and for more information.
• March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Kitchen Party at Heritage Brewing Co. Live Music by Matt Muise, Cory LeBlanc, Shannon Malone and Curt LeBlanc.
• March 20: Pottery Night at Futura at 6:30 p.m. Learn how to work with pottery and clay with Phillip Clairmont. Register by contacting Futura
• March 21: Pendulums at Futura (329 Main St.) at 6:30 p.m. Learn about pendulum work. A pendulum is more than just a weight at the end of a string. This is a powerful tool that has been used in divination for thousands of years. Register by contacting Futura. (Note: You can find them on Facebook: Futura New Age & Metaphysical)
• March 22: Tea Meditation at Futura at 6:30 p.m. Grace Amirault will be guiding the meditation. Register by contacting Futura.
• March 23: Sacred Pouch Making at Futura at 6:30 p.m. with Sandra LeBlanc. Register by contacting Futura.
March Fest in Yarmouth is a new initiative by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. FACEBOOK
• March 24: Live Music at Heritage Brewing Co at 8 p.m. by Matt Muise & Cory Leblanc.
• March 24 to 26: Town-wide scavenger hunt. Complete as many missions as you can to win great prizes. Register your team in advance for free at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/marchfestscavengerhunt or by calling 902-742-3074.
• March 25: Southwest Nova Pride Association Board Game Night at 6 p.m. at Pair-A-Dice Bistro in the Yarmouth Mall.
• March 26: Tri-County Folk School Makers Swap. Time TBA. Bring a few small items that you’ve grown, made, baked, brewed, or foraged. Everyone brings what they feel comfortable with giving to the community. All the items will go onto a big table of goodies. Each person will draw a number and when their number is called, they choose an item that another community member has brought to share. You can also find them on Facebook: Tri-County Folk School.
• March 31: Live Music at Heritage Brewing Co. at 8 p.m. by Riptide.
