Canso Regatta 2025
Saturday, August 9th
2 PM
Rededication of the Wilmot Cemetery
Starting at 119 Wilmot Street (Look for our sign!) we’ll take a short walk to Wilmot Cemetery, established in 1764. This will be an
ecumenical service open to all religious backgrounds lead by local clergy. You must wear sturdy/dry footwear and participate in exploring the site at your own risk.
Sponsored by the Canso Wilmot Cemetery Society
Contact Susan O’Handley at 902-366-2146
or Chris Cook at 902-631-2858
Sunday, August 10th
2 PM
Provincial Seaman’s Memorial Service
The public is invited to a light lunch at the Canso Lion’s Club following the service.
Sponsored by the Canso Lions Club
Contact Ray White at 902-366-2785 or Catherine DeRabbie at 902-366-2721
7 PM
Bingo at the Canso Fire Hall
Sponsored by the Star of the Sea Parish
Contact Flo Flemming at 902-870-6283
Monday, August 11th
930 AM
Drop in Pickle Ball at the Canso Arena
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact Carly at 902-533-2088
10 AM
Kids Fun Fair at the Canso Waterfront
An Event to celebrate health and wellness for young children. A chance for social interaction to help them learn, develop, and grow from interacting with their peers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Rain venue will be the Canso Arena.
Sponsored by Canso Area Childcare Association, Guysborough Kids First & The Naomi Society, with support from MLA Greg Morrow
11 AM
Bernie MacLean Memorial Volleyball Tournament at FECCA School in Hazel Hill (Ages 15+)
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the MacLean Family
3 PM
Youth Washer Toss at the Canso Waterfront
Tournaments for teams of two, ages 10-12, 13-15, and 16-18.
It’s FREE to register and cash prizes are up for grabs!
Must pre-register by July 31st by contacting Angila or Mandi by phone or on Facebook.
Sponsored by the Canso Library Resource Society, partnered with SchoolsPlus
Contact Angila Wallace at 902-870-6742 or Mandi Greencorn at 902-717-0322
Tuesday, August 12th
10 AM
Sand Sculpture Building Contest at Little Dover Day Use Park
Please pre-register by sending an email to community@naomisociety.ca
Sponsored by the Naomi Society
Contact 902-863-3807
1 PM
Free Family Swim at the Canso Community Pool
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact Carly at 902-533-2088
1 PM
Pickleball Tournament at the Canso Arena
Must Pre-register by August 8th, by clicking here.
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact Carly at 902-533-2088
Wednesday, August 13th
10 AM
24th Annual Kaila Feltmate Bike/Scooter Rodeo Run at the Canso Arena
Hotdogs, freezies, door prizes, and loot bags! Please pre-register by 9 AM. Participation is FREE, however, we will be accepting donations to the Palliative Care Unit at Eastern Memorial Hospital in memory of Kaila.
Sponsored by the Canso RCMP
Contact Melissa Richards at 902-366-2440
10 AM
A Guided Hike of the Chapel Gully Trail
(Cancelled – Due to forest fire risks, the province has issued a proclamation restricting travel and activities in the woods until further notice)
Meet at the Trail Head prior to 10:00 AM, and you select which route you’d like to take: short, medium, or long. Three Guides Available!
Sponsored by Eastern Tip Trails Association
Contact Susan O’Handley at 902-366-2146
530 PM
The Amazing Race – Canso!
at Sailor’s Rest Park
The Amazing Race will begin at Sailors Rest Park. This is where you will be given your first clue! Ages 15+ Teams of 2 and teams must pre- register to participate in the Race. Vehicle & picture capable phone needed to travel to locations and/or complete challenge. Date of Births for each team member is required when registering. Please pre-register by calling Keri or Mandi.
Sponsored by Canso Library & Resource Center
Contact Kerri Rhynold at 902-870-4806 or Mandi Greencorn at 902-717-0322
630 PM – 830 PM
Pre-Teen Dance at the Canso Curling Club (Ages 10-14)
Sponsored by the Canso Curling Club
Contact Ashley Boudreau at 902-870-5047
Thursday, August 14th
10 AM
Scavenger Hunt (Ages 14 and under) at the Stanfest Concession Area
Sponsored by the Last Port Motel
Contact Tammy Ehler at 902-870-5126
12 PM
Family Weiner BBQ at the Canso Sports Complex
Organized by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, and Sponsored by Priscilla MacKenzie.
Contact Carly at 902-533-2088
1 PM
Youth Activities at the Canso Sports Complex
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact Carly at 902-533-2088
230 PM
Lobster Crate Run at Whitman’s Wharf
Runs for ages 9-12, 13-18 and over 18 years of age. Participants must register on-site, and wear a life jacket.
Contact Buzz and Greta Roberts at 902-338-2720
4 PM – 6 PM
Bean and Chili Supper at St. Paul’s Church (Take Out Only)
Contact Beatrice Greencorn at 902-366-2548 or
Cora Pollard
902-366-2932
6 PM
Drop in Pickle Ball at the Canso Arena
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact
Carly
902-533-2088
7 PM
Trivia Night at the Canso Lion’s Club
Teams must consist of four people age 19 and up. Cost is $40 per/team.
Sponsored by the Canso & Area Community Events Association
8 PM
Johnny Cash Tribute Concert LIVE at AJ’s Pub! ($20 per Ticket)
Contact
AJ Taylor
902-366-2281
830 PM
Free Teen Swim and Music Videos at the Canso Community Pool
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact
Carly
902-533-2088
Friday, August 15th
930 AM
Drop in Pickle Ball at the Canso Arena
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact
Carly
902-533-2088
10 AM
Chidrens Hike at the Canso Waterfront – New Location! (Ages 8 and under)
A family walk around the little trail, during the walk we will “hunt” for items, visit the Fairy Village, the Gully Bugs, the Gully and stop at Winter Creek to make a wish in the “Wishing Well.” Bring a loonie for a wish. We will end with a story and a picnic of healthy snacks at Winter Creek and a chance to win a prize.
Sponsored by Canso & Area Childcare Association, Eastern Tip Trails Association & NS Community Health Board
Contact
Susan O’Handley
902-366-2146
11 AM
Cardboard Canoe Races at the Canso Community Pool (Ages 8-13)
10 teams of 2 are required. If you don’t have a partner we’ll help you find one! Pre-register by July 31st and ensure you get a spot!
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough and the Down Home Wholesale.
Must Pre-register by
July 31st. Contact Mandi Greencorn at 902-717-0322.
12 PM
Washer Toss Tournament at Cape Canso Marina
Registration is $10 per person, with cash prizes to be won!
Sponsored by the Canso Curling Club
Contact
Amanda MacLean
902-870-7656
1 PM
Children/Youth Swim Races at the Canso Community Pool
Sponsored by the Municipality of the District of Guysborough
Contact
Carly
902-533-2088
3 PM – 5 PM
Colombian Coffee Workshop at the Canso Lions Club
A two-hour experience to learn and enjoy why Colombian coffee is known as the best in the world.
Contact
Cristina Pereira
902-399-6312
Camilo Botero
902-399-6309
4 PM – 6 PM
Poker Rally at Cape Canso Marina
The cost is $5.00 per hand, and will have 50/50 tickets for sale. Rain Date is Saturday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Sponsored by the Canso & Area Community Events Association
Contact
Kerri Rhynold
902-870-4806
6 PM
Annual Kenny Richards Memorial Co-ed Lob Ball Tournament at the Canso Arena Ball Field
Contact
Melissa Richards
902-366-2204
Shane Richards
902-631-4723
7 PM
Street Dance at the Midway Grounds
Sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 46
Contact
Juanita Dort
902-227-8735
9 PM
Lighted Boat Parade
With the wise and understandable condition to cancel the Regatta fireworks, we have decided to keep the spirit alive and have a lighted boat parade. We welcome all fishing boats and small vessels to decorate their boats with Christmas lights, lighted inflatables, etc. We will parade around the harbour and the group will vote for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for both fishing boats and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for small Crafts.
Hosted by Canso Harbour Authority
Contact
Donna Wallace
902-870-0536
AT DUSK
Fireworks at the Canso Waterfront
(Cancelled – Due to forest fire risks, the province has issued a proclamation restricting travel and activities in the woods until further notice)
The Municipality of Guysborough, Warden Paul Long, District 8 councilor Finley Armsworthy, District 4 councilor David Hanhams, District 2 councilor Mary Desmond, District 6 councilor Susan Cashin, District 5 councilor Janet Peitzsche, Municipality of Guysborough Community Grant, Irish Town Products, Atlantic Catch Data Limited, Bank Of Montreal, Ronnie Chisholm’s Hydro Seeding Limited, Guysborough Transfer, Mike Berrigan, Canso Resource Centre, Brian George Trucking Limited, East Coast Hydraulics & Machinery (2009) Ltd, Canso Co-op, Kent Building Supplies – Antigonish, JGB Seafood Handling Service Ltd, Mann Independent, WT Grover Fisheries, Fisherman’s Market International Inc, 10-49 Supporters and Community Donation Jars
Contact Donna Wallace at 902-870-0536
10 PM
Live Music at AJ’s Pub! ($10 Cover)
Contact AJ Taylor at 902-366-2281
Saturday, August 16th
830 AM
Day 2 of the Annual Kenny Richards Memorial Co-ed Lob Ball Tournament at the Canso Arena Ball Field
Contact
Melissa Richards at
902-366-2204
Shane Richards
902-631-4723
11 AM
Regatta Street Parade featuring the Clan Farquharson!
Judging and lineup will be at the Canso Lions Den. Participants must arrive by 10:15 AM to be judged.
All of our amazing sponsors for this event are listed with the Fireworks!
Contact
Donna Wallace
902-870-0536
1130 AM
Chowder Dinner immediately following the parade at the Shamrock Club ($15/person)
Sponsored by the Star of the Sea Parish
Contact
Flo Flemming
902-870-6283
12 PM
Midway Opens at the Canso Waterfront
Games of Chance, Crafts and Gifts for sale, and a variety of Inflatables for youth (make sure you come prepared… you might get wet!)
Sponsored by Priscilla MacKenzie, Charlene and Kevin MacAulay, Canso Hazel Hill Volunteer Fire Dept Ladies Auxiliary, Canso Curling Club, Canso Area Development Association, John and Judy Cook, JGB Seafood Handling Services Ltd, Gary Matheson, AJ’s Dining Room and Lounge, a “former Hazel Hiller” and members of our community. Thank you to MLA Greg Morrow for his dedicated support and promotion of this event
Contact Donna Grant at 902-302-2759 or Lindy Stutnik at 250-616-0597
1 PM
Lobster Banding Competition at the Whitman House Museum Grounds
Participants must register on-site.
Sponsored by Fishermen’s Market International Inc.
Contact Buzz and Greta Roberts at 902-338-2720
2 PM
Rope Coiling Contest at the Canso Waterfront
Participants must register on-site.
Sponsored by Rainbow Net & Rigging
Contact Buzz and Greta Roberts at 902-338-2720
3 PM
ADULT Cardboard Canoe Races at
Canso Waterfront! (Ages 13+)
Gather your own supplies, which can include any untreated cardboard and duct tape. You can partially prepare/build your boat (cut pieces to size, décor, etc.) at home but must assemble it at the Waterfront to sail it in the Race.
Note: One, or as many people as you want in your boat. The amount of time to assemble is to be decided.
Sponsored by Canso Library & Resource Center
Pre-register by August 9th by calling Mandi Greencorn at 902-717-0322.
3-8 PM
Hootenanny at the Canso Fire Hall
Sponsored by the Canso Hazel Hill Fire Dept. Ladies Auxilliary
Contact Theresa Casey at 902-318-2164 or Gertie Grant at 902-366-2673
10 PM – 2 AM
Adult Dance at the Canso and Area Arena
DJ Clarice Grant will keep the music going! Ages 19+ IDs may be requested – Admission is $10.
Sponsored by the Canso Curling Club
Contact Katelyn Delorey at 902-237-1755
Sunday, August 17th
9 AM
Finals for the Annual Kenny Richards Memorial Co-ed Lob Ball Tournament at the Canso Arena Ball Field
Contact Melissa Richards 902-366-2204 or Shane Richards at 902-631-4723
9 AM
Memorial Hymn Sing at St. Paul’s United Church
Contact Beatrice Greencorn at 902-366-2548 or Rev. Heather Manual at 902-533-3737
1 PM
Seamen’s Memorial Wreaths to Sea
at Whitman’s Wharf
Sponsored by the Canso Lion’s Club
Contact Ray White at 902-366-2785 or Cathy DeRabbie at 902-366-2721
3 PM
COLOR RUN! at the Canso Waterfront – New Location! (Ages 5+)
Along the course, color runners are doused with different colored powders. Participants wear white at the starting line and finish the race plastered in color. This year’s event is free of charge, however, All donations will be given to the Eastern Tip Trails Association.
Note: We recommend wearing sunglasses or goggles and a mask to prevent excessive inhalation.
Sponsored by the Eastern Tip Trails Association
Contact Susan O’Handley at 902-870-9604
7 PM
Prize Bingo at the Canso Fire Hall
Sponsored by the Canso Curling Club
Contact Ashley Boudreau at 902-870-5047