Wild and Groovy Summer – Here in The Land of the Fish
Fall has found its way back into our lives; but a look in the rear-view mirror illuminates what
a wild and groovy summer it was, here in the Land of the Fish.
Perhaps it had something to do with Woodstock trying to celebrate
its 50th milestone?
While the tribute concert to the 1969 generation-defining festival didn’t go off as planned, some of the groovy vibe and energy definitely drifted this way.
First of all, the elusive creature called summer didn’t catch up with us until August. The long-awaited warmer weather infused everyone with a carefree spirit and hankering
for some Cod. It seems everyone and their dogs were out on the water for the food fishery -those three sacred days a week when Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
can catch a taste of our past saltfish culture.
Then there was the dandy day or so when harvesters were handing out free Cod on a few wharves.
It was a protest move by the fishers, but hey, it was an act of Cod for many.
Folks thought it was the second coming – food fishery on the weekend and free Cod on a week day.
Blessed lard – how much plenitude could our Cod-blissed hearts take?
And Squid Fest wasn’t just limited to Holyrood this year. For the first time in over 30 years, squid squirted in many bays and many a soul were out in boats or down on the wharf,
with dreams of calamari or stuffed squid in their heads.
On top of the Cod & squid bliss, there was the merry parade of
ice bergs and whales along our gobsmacking
coastline. T’was a groovy and dreamy time for residents and travelers, alike, here in the Land of the Fish, with just these attractions.
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then, there was also Dildo.
Words can hardly sufficient for this bright light pulsating in our groovy cultural world.
To begin with, Dildo never did have any problem getting attention, but when
American Late Night host Jimmy Kimmel got fixated on that charming cove, well, things kinda erupted.
Even the Premier of the province wanted to feel the
vibe. He hauled his arse out to Dildo fest and got in on the action – even posing with Captain Dildo himself.
Politics just isn’t sexy anymore and politicians have to get their fix somehow.
Folks out there showed the world just how groovy Newfoundland and Labrador really is; and what warm-hearted, fun-lovin’ and off-beat souls we Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
truly are. The publicity this love-fest for Dildo generated across America simply cannot be bought in advertising dollars.
Now, Dildo may have shot to extra fame with having the best name in the province (hell, the whole country!) but Mary Browns still has the
“best Legs in town”.
This iconic chicken company celebrated the opening of its 41 restaurant with a brand new three-story mural at its downtown location.
The eye candy art by Kyle Bustin playfully showcases the story of Newfoundland culture
through big bright colours and quirky characters – including two mer-moose (half-moose and half-fish!)
There’s even a few Cod swimming through the massive panoramic piece.
The whimsical look and feel of the mural has everyone captivated. It certainly gives the downtown a very trendy vibe.
Of course, Newfoundland and Labrador is still feeling the love from the hit musical on Broadway Come –from- Away -
which has made us all feel grand and groovy.
And then there are the unsung groovy heroes – like the woman who borne her own child in a moving car (no, she wasn’t driving). What a hero that momma was,
paying tribute to all the mothers across the centuries here in the "Land of the Fish" who borne their child in many small coves without medical care.
Let’s not forget, also, that this was the first summer of the weed fest – it permeated the summer air with grassy vibes and so everyone was on a natural high.
Hey, there will likely never be another Woodstock;
and very likely there will never be another wild
and groovy summer like the Summer of 2019 when Dildo mania took us on a wild joy ride the likes we have never seen.
But Newfoundland and Labrador has always had a groove, beat and soul that make us hip and super cool.
(And it has nothing to do with the cool winds blowing in from the North Atlantic!)
Ours comes down to a super cool Cod Culture which spawned centuries ago when this famous fish was once the grooviest and dandiest creature around.
If we had our senses about us, we have one fine culture defining festival to celebrate this magic. Perhaps we can emulate another famous festival's name and call it "Cod Stocks"?
And perhaps it would bring world-wide attention to the need to rebuild these precious fish stocks.
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