PORT AU CHOIX, N.L. — Owners are invited to light up their boats — big or small — for the third annual boat lighting Dec. 13 in Port au Choix.
Donald Spence started the boat lighting event when he became mayor of Port au Choix.
Being a fisherman, Spence thought the event would be an important way to honour the area's fishing heritage.
“Port au Choix was once the fishing capital of Western Newfoundland, which I still believe it is,” Spence said. “To me, fishing is the backbone to our communities and just to show little respect to what we have to offer from the fishery. Port au Choix has a fine fleet of boats there and just to get recognized in the boat lightings — this is what we got and this is what our town was built from was fishing.”
It was also created to spread town spirit, and Spence said it's working.
“For the town people to get out and bring back some pride and get people out on the go and town spirit again,” he said.
“It has been quite overwhelming the people who are coming out to watch it.”
People travel from Deer Lake, Rocky Harbour and even St. Anthony to take in the event, he said.
Last year 32 or 33 boats were involved, and this year he is hoping for even more.
“We wait for a certain time and then we will blow the horns and turn the lights on,” Spence said. “There’s four or five of us that actually go out in the harbour with our boats and stay in the middle of the harbour and at a certain time we will flick our lights on for the kids in the harbour and steam around.”
The boat lighting is set for 6:30 p.m. this year, weather permitting, and will be followed by fireworks.
“That’s a big hit for the kids,” Spence said.
Afterwards, everyone is encouraged to head to the Twin Town Sports Complex to continue the celebration.
“We direct them towards the stadium to make a little fundraiser to keep our stadium in Port au Choix operational,” Spence said.
The fun includes local entertaintment, children playing their fiddles, and a free skate from 7:30-8:30 p.m, sponsored by the Heritage Committee and funded by Western Health. Free hot chocolate, donated and served by the Eagle River Credit Union, will be available.
A puck toss, sponsored by the Twin Town Arena, will be held after the skate.
A disco for those 19 years of age and over, with bar service available, and an area sectioned off upstairs for the children to stay and listen to the local talent, is also planned.
