September 24, 2007

NEWS RELEASE

38th Bourne Scallop Fest – By the Numbers
50,000 people; 500 volunteers; 3 tons of scallops; 3 spectacular days

-For Immediate Release-

BOURNE – The 38th Annual Bourne Scallop Festival sponsored by the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce attracted up to 50,000 people over the weekend including a marked increase in bus and rail groups.  There were lots of new attractions including beer & wine, lobster rolls, scallop chowder, and a raw bar.  And, of course, the popular scallop and chicken dinners were a big hit with over 3 tons of scallops served by J & J Concessions of Lakeville, Massachusetts.

Hy-line Cruises and Cape Cod Central Railroad brought in several thousand people as well. The Bourne Scallop Festival was awarded the American Bus Association Top 100 Events for group tours in North America.
 
“Once again, the Bourne Scallop Fest proved to be one of the top New England festivals, said Marie Oliva, President & CEO of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce. “From the time we opened the gate on Friday until the last scallop was served on Sunday, thousands of people were able to enjoy the festivities with nearly perfect weather all three days.”

Over 500 volunteers helped manage the Fest, an all time record.  For a four-hour shift, volunteers got a T-shirt and free scallop or chicken dinner.  “It’s quite extraordinary that we were able to recruit that many volunteers,” said Abigail Menard, Scallop Fest Committee Chair.  A few years ago, we needed about 250 volunteers.  That has now doubled in order to provide a quality event.  We appreciate everyone taking time from their busy schedule to help us during the weekend.  We couldn’t do this without them.” 
ENTRAIN from Martha’s Vineyard played to a rousing crowd on Saturday night with hundreds of people dancing to the music.  A great roster of non-stop entertainment both inside the Tent and on the fairgrounds included Soul City Band and the Navy Northeast Show Band.  Toe Jam Puppet Band entertained families in the Gazebo and “Tobor” the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Woodstock Willy, all on 16’ stilts, roamed the fairgrounds all weekend long. 
Senate President Therese Murray and Patrolman Stephen O’Brien from the Barnstable Police Department opened the ceremonies on Friday afternoon that was attended by many state and local dignitaries and Scallop Fest sponsors. 

Bob Kneeland of Sterling, Massachusetts won the Harley-Davidson Raffle – a 2007 Road King Custom donated to the Chamber by Cape Cod Harley-Davidson of Pocasset.  It was high drama on the Main Stage when the drawing was held at 2:30pm on Sunday. 

The juried Arts & Craft Show and Home Expo Show managed by L & R Productions of Brewster was sold out this year.  Lots of people shopped at the various booths throughout the weekend.

A new amusement company, Rockwell Amusements, provided a new variety of rides and games for families.

Special thanks go to the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office for set-up and breakdown of the Fest at Buzzards Bay Park.  “Sheriff Jim Cummings has made a total commitment to this event,” said Oliva. “The inmates, under the terrific supervision of Sgt. Joseph Brait, co-chair of the Scallop Fest Committee, construct the entire site several days prior to the event.  Then, when it’s all over, the breakdown begins.”

Proceeds from the Bourne Scallop Festival go to the Chamber’s Scholarship and Grant Fund, Friends of the Bourne Council on Aging, and operation of four (4) visitor centers in Buzzards Bay, Sagamore, Sandwich, and Wareham.

The Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber thanks 27 Corporate Sponsors, many of which provided volunteers to help man the event:

Sponsors for the 38th Bourne Scallop Festival include: Presenting Sponsors – Buzzards Bay Brewing & Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery; Title Sponsor – Cape Cod Harley-Davidson; Entertainment Sponsor – Comcast; Major Sponsors – Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Cape Cod, Falmouth Hospital, TD Banknorth and Barnstable County Sheriff’s Office: Media Sponsors – COOL 102, 96.3 The Rose, WCOD106, 95WXTK, The Standard-Times and South Shore Women’s Journal; Supporting Sponsors – Jordan Hospital, Sovereign Bank, A.D. Makepeace Co., Eastern Bank, and Southcoast Hospitals Group-Tobey Hospital. Business Sponsors – Cape Cod Central Railroad, Hy-Line Cruises and The Nimrod Restaurant & Jazz Lounge; Contributing Sponsors – Amerigas, Bay Community, Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Convention Data Services, Country Club Enterprises, LLC, Falmouth Toyota Scion, Johnson Electric Supply, and Rogers & Gray Insurance.

And, what’s next? The Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce will soon begin planning the 39th Bourne Scallop Fest, September 19, 20, and 21 of 2008.
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Editors: For more information and photos, contact Marie Oliva, Cape Cod Canal Chamber of Commerce, 508 759-6000, Ext. 12 or e-mail moliva@capecodcanalchamber.org.