Easily one of the most memorable Lobsterfests in history, Placencia Lobsterfest 2010 had more than its fair share of rain with Tropical Storm Alex looming off the coast. Coordinators of the event were met with the question - “Should we go on or should we postpone?”

As the rains came in Placencia Village Council Chairman Charles Leslie Jr kept in close communication with NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) about the storm. With the rains mostly along the cost coordinators knew via NEMO that the bridges into the area were safe, rivers were maintaining normal levels, and even if it was raining everyone who has ever been to a Placencia Lobsterfest knows you are bound to get some rain - it is sort of a tradition.

The decision was made to postpone the 12th annual Placencia Saltwater Fishing Tournament due to very rough seas with the promise to reschedule the event during the summer.

Every thing was in place, people had traveled from far and wide to be here and Lobsterfest was ready to go! So on that very rainy Saturday morning, following a well attended Friday night, the coordinators began setting up and were soon joined by the vendors who set up their booths, cranked up the grills and started cooking. It wasn’t long before Placencia Lobsterfest 2010 was in full swing even if most of the attendees with smiles on the faces and tummies full of good food were in rain gear.

The AllStar Steel Band, as always gave wonderful Caribbean flair to the day and even took part in the opening ceremonies by performing the National Anthem. Special guest speaker Cadet Henderson, Chief Engineer with the Ministry of Works, took part as well as Chairman Leslie & BTIA Placencia Chairperson Wendy Lemus.

It seemed as if every hour that passed produced more and more people and it can never be said that Placencia does not love its Lobsterfest.

As always Gilharry 7 rocked the festival to the wee hours of the morning not worrying a bit about the weather - they were here to give festival goers a great night of dancing and as always they did.

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful giving everyone the Lobsterfest they had been dreaming of. It is hard to describe the atmosphere that day with just one word. People were happy, the sun was shining, music was playing, events that were scheduled for Saturday were finally able to take place including the Rotary Club of Placencia Duck Race and the Old Master Pickled Parrot Rum Punch Competition. I guess if you need to sum it up with one word that word would have to be PERFECT!

As dark set in the Placencia BTIA held its much anticipated annual raffle, drawing the larger packaged prizes and the grand prize under the main tent. Lobsterfest came to an end for the children attending right after everyone was treated to a fire show followed by the best fireworks display the festival has seen yet. The adults stayed out to once again dance the night away.

Of course this is not everything that happened at this year’s Placencia Lobsterfest but you get the idea.

It must be said that for the first time in many years the majority of the people working the event were volunteers. Every bartender that served a drink was there because they wanted to give back to their community, many of the performers gave their time as well offering up a wide variety of musical performances and even a few fire shows., even the crews that set up and took apart the event were there because they wanted to help. It seems as if another great word to describe Placencia Lobsterfest is COMMUNITY.

Placencia Lobsterfest is if nothing else a community effort. It is organized by the Placencia BTIA and the Placencia Village Council and serves as both organizations largest fundraiser. Placencia Lobsterfest is vital to our sustainability. Most businesses close down for the festival as a way to support the Village Council & BTIA in its fundraising efforts.  Many businesses such as Wendy’s, BJ’s, the Galley and Grill N Go just to name some, actually have booths there and take part in the festival that way  There are also many others in the community (individuals) that use the event as an opportunity to earn much needed income by having a booth that helps see them through the slow season, helps to pay for school tuition, a family holiday, etc.   And many businesses just close so they and their employees can come and enjoy the festival themselves.  Placencia Lobsterfest brings people together and that is exactly the way it is supposed to be.

Enough thanks can not be given for the continued support Placencia Lobsterfest receives. The hardworking members of the Placencia Village Council, the Placencia BTIA and a few others that make up the “Lobsterfest Crew” appreciate all the support we get.

Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you all next year at
Placencia Lobsterfest 2011 - June 24th, 25th, & 26th.