The Royal St. John’s Regatta is the longest-running continuing sporting event in North America, and Regatta Day is reported to be the only civic holiday that is weather dependant. The weather over the past few years has been less than ideal, with it being postponed some years and going ahead on others, despite very poor conditions that ended up having the races delayed for hours. So, whatever the forecast, people in the St. John’s region set their alarms early on the first Wednesday in August to listen for the announcement at 6:00 a.m. as to whether or not the Regatta is going ahead, and whether they have the day off or they have to get up and go in to work - regardless of the optimistic partying they may have done the night before.
This year, the 192nd running, the weather was ideal - the best Regatta Day in many years, at least for the first part of the day. The temperature at lunchtime was in the mid-twenties and the wind just a gentle breeze. So at 6:00 a.m., the radio announcement came out that the Regatta was a go, quickly followed by the traditional “Up the Pond” from Shanneyganock, affectionately know by locals as the “Whoop De Diddly” song. And hundreds of residents of the city and surrounding areas got up and prepared to head to the “Pond” (Quidi Vidi Lake), while hundreds more gratefully rolled over for another hour or two of sleep.
The area around Quidi Vidi (pronounced “kidee videe” by some and “kweyeda veyeda” by others) quickly filled with people. Many come to watch the races, particularly if they know any of the rowers. However, most come for the many concession stands and games of chance set up by various local businesses and community groups around the permieter of the lake. Many of these organizations rely on a good day at the lake for much-needed funds or awareness for their groups.
There are also the many stands offering a wide variety of food - fries, hot dogs, sausages, nachos, pizza, ice cream, cotton candy, candy apples - all the oudoor feast favorites. Lines were long for each of the stands as people waited for foods that just taste better lakeside. Regatta Day just doesn’t have the same magic if you don’t get your giant sausage dog or a cardboard bowl of soggy fries, dressing and gravy to carry around with you.
The Regatta attracts people of all ages, sizes and types. Children run along the grass, energized by the crowds and the sense of excitement in the air. Moms push strollers or tow wagons while dads walk through the masses with toddlers strapped into backpacks peering over their shoulders. Seniors sit in the shade of the tent set up by the Victorian Order of Nurses watching the crowds and the races. And dogs weave among the legs, enjoying the adventure and gratefully cooling off in the water of the lake. Everywhere you look, there are walls of people.
On occasion, one, however, will stand out, such as the man I saw just behind me while waiting in line for my plate of Ziggy’s fries. People seemed to be gathering around him taking pictures and shaking his hand, and one even brought him a serving of fries. I figured anyone who is being followed around by someone with a huge video camera on his shoulder must be somewhat significant. Turns out, it was none other than Michael Ignatieff, Leader of the Federal Liberal Party. Apparently, Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP Party, was there as well, but I didn’t see him while I was there.
There’s a real carnival atmosphere at the Regatta. Many people save up their change for much of the year to come down and try their hand at the games of chance. The favourite seems to be the cash wheels, but many other types of games can be found there as well - from balloon darts to ring tosses, even a plinko game or two. One game appeared to involve hooking a purse with a stick, and one particularly unusal one involved rows of toilet seats mounted to a wall. I decided not to get close enough to that one to see what they were throwing in there exactly. The prizes are still the same as they’ve been since I remember going as a kid - neon-bright stuffed animals, foam toys, and giant inflatable guitars, bats, and sledgehammers, predominantly. There was also a new attraction this year that I hadn’t seen before - a giant apparatus of poles, trampolines, and elastic bands that appeared to be similar to bungee jumping - only in reverse. As near as I could figure, you get strapped into a seat attached to criss-crossing giant elastic bands, and the attendant then pulls you down to stretch the bands, then lets go while you vault back up into the air, somersaulting or swinging or just shrieking, depending on your inclination. And for the younger children, there’s the bank of bouncing castles and giant inflatable slides on the far side of the lake. As garden parties go, it doesn’t get much bigger than this!
And then, of course, there are the races - the very reason for the event. For months beforehand, early mornings and late afternoons, walkers around the lake will see various teams on the water training and preparing for the big day. It takes a lot of work and a lot of dedication to be on one of the 73 teams that took place this year, but it’s an honour that’s not soon forgotten. The earliest known mention of a rowing competition for the area was in 1816, and the races were then held over three days. The early events included sailing competitions in St. John’s harbour as well as the races at Quidi Vidi. It is believed that the races may have actually started earlier than that, even - perhaps as far back as the 1700s. There are a number of other regattas held throughout the province as well, and crews have the opportunity to row in the Placentia and Harbour Grace regattas to try for the “Triple Crown” championship, earned by any crew that can win the championship race at all three regattas. If you’re interested in the history of the Regatta, you can find more information at the Collections Canada website.
Even the ducks seemed to be getting into the spirit of the races. Seems there could be a tie for third.
Whether you go for the races, the games, the food, or just the excitement of being part of such a big event, the St. John’s Regatta will always be near and dear to the hearts of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Great comments and pictures. Looks even more crowded then I was a wee thing running around people's legs and carting a 4-foot tall Papa Smurf that Tania won one year.
ReplyDeleteYou captured the very essence, great job!