It’s been an unusual summer, to say the least.

Between going through a border stop when travelling within the Atlantic bubble and wearing a mask to the grocery store, this year has been like no other. While we all have our summer routines and traditions, many of those have unfortunately been impacted this year.

Atlantic Lottery has its summer routines as well, and one of the biggest is sponsoring festivals and events across Atlantic Canada. Last year, we supported 143 events across our region that help bring communities together and celebrate the things that make Atlantic Canada so unique.

The limitations on crowd gatherings have caused the majority of festivals and events to turn their attention to 2021. We miss them and, like many of you, can’t wait to celebrate with them again soon.

In the meantime, here are the top seven things we are missing from festival season this year:

1. The planning

Ok, maybe this part hasn’t been missed quite as much as others. Every on-site activation Atlantic Lottery does requires hours upon hours of planning. Everything from inflatable boots to what type of colour a tent wall should be gets analyzed. Don’t forget to plan for what will happen if the weather takes a turn for the worse (see No. 5).

2. The commute

It’s safe to say nearly every corner of Atlantic Canada has a festival or event each summer. Getting to some of these locations can often be quite an adventure – but it also offers a great chance to see some of the most beautiful spots in our region. Attending a festival or event provides a great excuse to explore.

3. “The office”

The backseat of a van, a folding table backstage, the floor behind one of our mobile sales kiosks. Inside a shipping container, the bench inside an arena penalty box, the shared trailer with a man dressed as a sasquatch. These are just a few of the places we often call “the office” during summer months to create much of the (at least in our humble opinion) amazing content that’s shared on Atlantic Lottery’s digital platforms. Pro-tip: never work beside a dumpster because people do not always have accurate aim when slinging garbage bags.

4. The food

Ah, festival food – there’s nothing like it. Hot dogs, pizza, chicken fingers, nachos, onion rings, pretzels, cotton candy, and french fries that always taste phenomenal for some reason. These are just a few of the tastes we’re missing right now. Another pro-tip: festivals that are all about food often have the best food.

5. The weather

You just never know what you’re getting into when it comes to festival weather. Rain, high winds, lightning, more rain, extreme heat, rain, hail, rain as cold as snow. The weather can be a challenge – but that’s just part of the charm. Is it really Atlantic Canada if you don’t experience a wide range of weather in one evening? Final pro-tip: always bring plenty of socks (and maybe multiple pairs of shoes).

6. The event

We all know Atlantic Canada has a lot to offer – and it has the best events to show it all off. Whether it’s food, music or local culture, there is a festival or event somewhere in the region that puts it on full display. If you want to see the very best of a community, go when it’s showing off everything it has to offer.

7. The people

Here’s something that isn’t said enough: festivals and events across Atlantic Canada are operated by some of the best people in the region. These are people who love their communities – and that dedication is infectious. It makes everyone around them want to give their all to help create amazing experiences. We’ll miss seeing all of these people this year along with all of the great Atlantic Canadians who attend these events. Hopefully, we will meet you all again in the very near future.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Jamie Tozer has been a part of the social media team at Atlantic Lottery since 2018. Based in Moncton, he travels around the region to capture and share social media content with Atlantic Lottery’s followers. Jamie has a master’s degree in journalism from Ryerson University.