Executive Council
August 26, 2013
The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, participated in The Gathering – Fire, Food, Music festival in Burlington this past weekend which showcased the culture of rural Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Gathering – Fire, Food, Music is a great example of how rural communities can tap into the ingenuity of residents to grow tourism and increase economic development,” said Minister Hutchings. “I was pleased to participate in the event, and experience first-hand the music, stories and live events during the weekend. These types of grassroots collaborations are essential in the building of an innovative and diversified economy, and a stronger and more prosperous Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The weekend festival, which ran from August 23-25, was headlined by the Jim Cuddy Family Band with a lineup of provincial artists including Rex Goudie, Brian Byrne, Mena Lodge, Adam Baxter and Nolan Newbury. The Gathering also featured contemporary and traditional Newfoundland and Labrador cuisine prepared by some of the province’s top chefs, storytelling, community hikes and mugups. The Provincial Government provided $7,000 in support of a community radio broadcast/webcast which promoted the festival and region during the event.
“For the second year, The Gathering drew large crowds of local residents and visitors to the Baie Verte Peninsula,” said Kevin Pollard, MHA for Baie Verte-Springdale. “This festival provided unique experiences that only rural Newfoundland and Labrador can offer. I was pleased to take part and offer my congratulations to everyone who made The Gathering such a success.”
The Gathering – Fire, Food, Music is part of the overall BSM Manor community revitalization project which is focused on bringing more tourists to the Baie Verte Peninsula and led by actor/comedian Shaun Majumder, who grew up in Burlington. The project includes a greenhouse, cabins and an eco-friendly lodge and is the focus of the “Majumder Manor” documentary series featured on the W Network.
“We are grateful for the support of the Office of Public Engagement which allowed the residents of Burlington, Smith’s Harbour and Middle Arm to be further involved in this project through the community radio initiative,” said Shaun Majumder. “We are excited to continue building the pieces for our social enterprise, BSM Manor, through The Gathering and “Majumder Manor”. Now that we have a second season, we know that tourism will continue to grow in the region.”
Additional information on The Gathering, is available at www.thegatheringburlington.com.
Details of the “Majumder Manor” series can be found at: majumdermanor.wnetwork.com.
Photo:
As part of the The Gathering – Fire, Food, Music festival in
Burlington this past weekend, the Honourable Keith Hutchings,
Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement, is
interviewed by local youth volunteers Brandon Thomas, left, and
Christopher Robinson. The Provincial Government provided $7,000 in
support of the community radio broadcast/webcast.
Media contacts:
| Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Tess Burke Communications Manager Government Members Office 709-729-3551, 699-2402 tessburke@gov.nl.ca |
Shaun Majumder Chairperson of The Gathering Steering Committee shaun.majumder@gmail.com |
2013 08 26 2:20 p.m.