HarbourFest Founder Worries for Its Future
The man who started HarbourFest, eleven years ago, says it has been a wonderful run but he’s worried about the future. Bill Kempt says, “I would like to see it go forward but I am a bit concerned we don’t have enough new volunteers.”
Kempt concedes that he and the others who launched the waterfront festival are of the same generation and younger people are needed to ensure the celebration carries on. He said, “I’m from a demographic that there are more people in my age group and fewer in the age group following. I’m not sure if we have the manpower to continue.”
Kempt, who is the current President of the Pugwash and Area Chamber of Commerce, says HarbourFest is much more than a summer diversion or tourist project. He says, “I really don’t think that we would have water and sewer going around the harbour if it weren’t for the fact that HarbourFest showed the politicians and the public that our harbour is a wonderful asset.”
Kempt suggests that getting people together to work on a project like HarbourFest is helpful in opening eyes to opportunity, but he added, “I would just like to see people think a little bigger.”
The man of vision suggests Pugwash Harbour could be a key destination for boaters. In the photo, Kempt stands by his catamaran the 'Skyjack' which he is launching today from the LaHave Yacht Club to sail her home to Pugwash. He says, “We could easily attract 300 good sized boats here, I’m talking in the 35 to 45 foot range, and we should build for that.”
Vessels of that size require services and present an opportunity for waterfront development. Kempt says the boats that currently call Pugwash home are smaller and often serviced by their owners. It is the difference between hobby and marine enterprise.
Kempt says there are people in the Pugwash area who own bigger vessels, but the lack of services prompts them to keep their boats in Dartmouth, Saint John, or Summerside. Citing the favourable winds, weather, and shoreline, Kempt says, “We have better and the people of Summerside would come here if we had the services.”
The HarbourFest founder is pleased with all that has been enjoyed over the past eleven years. But he added that paid staff might be needed to keep it alive, “In my honest opinion, we wouldn’t have the Gathering of the Clans here today if it weren’t for the fact that Lisa Betts was hired both as the village clerk and the coordinator.” He noted the HarbourFest committee followed suit by hiring Lee Fleming as a part-time manager.
Kempt says hiring staff is a two edged sword. Staff can carry on after volunteers burn out, but people are less inclined to volunteer when another is being paid. He gives credit to those who helped build HarbourFest over the years and he encourages a new generation to step forward and help take it to the next level.