Popular event with locals and tourists alike runs this week.

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As you drive along the coastal shore towards Shediac, a giant red lobster and his proud fisherman companion welcome visitors to town. This statue, which represents the region's mouth-watering delicacy and livelihood, also stands as the unofficial mascot for the Shediac Lobster Festival.

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This year the town is preparing to celebrate their 59th annual festival as a colourful tourist destination, spun with a family fun reputation. Vice president Louise Meloche and her family has been involved with the celebrations since she was a child and says many of the volunteers who make the five-day event run smoothly have been participating for generations.

"Once they help out, it becomes somewhat of a family tradition," shares the vice president. "My family has been in this for years and it gave us the bug to continue on. It's also a community event and people really get involved." With the population of Shediac numbering 5,000 you can guarantee an abundant resource of committed helpers.

"We're talking about 100 volunteers," states Meloche. With a close-knit ambiance, the town of Shediac has always supported the community event, which was originally inaugurated during lobster fishing season in October 1949. Since then there have been many changes, says Meloche.

"As the festival evolves, it's important to experiment with different and new ideas. Every year we like to try different things to keep the festival fresh, while keeping in touch with the classic traditions." One crowd pleasing local competition keeps returning year after year, with guaranteed laughs.

"The lobster eating contest of course, for the tourists and for the public in Shediac is the most popular event," says Meloche while laughing. "It's a big thing where the master of ceremonies asks for tourist volunteers first, then chooses some locals. Each participant is given three shelled lobsters and it's a race to see who finishes first." What the event turns into is an impromptu comedy routine.

"Locals of course know how to eat lobster, but a lot of tourists don't know how. They have to find different and inventive ways of prying open the shell. It's very funny to watch as some of the participants try with their feet, heals and hands." As the season for the festival has been adapted to accommodate the summertime, the response by the public has been overwhelming, turning the festival into numerous reasons to celebrate and bringing in a large number of tourists for a haphazard reunion.

"People from all over come to this event, from the United States, Quebec and Ontario... When they return each year to this festival, they begin to form friendships within the community." The event, which runs from July 2-6, kicks off the start of the summer tourist season for Shediac. When the weather turns warm, school is out and it's time to celebrate after a long winter. All the events are scheduled to take place within walking distance from downtown, which benefit and showcase the local industry.

"The merchants in Shediac like that we have the festival downtown because it helps them as well. Everyone is helping each other here. It's been a community event for years and years and brings new business each summer. We feel the support from the community and if we didn't have that, it would be harder to have an event of this calibre. The people that are coming to volunteer are all coming from the community. It's something we take pride in." The entertainment the Lobster Festival provides is suitable for all walks of life.

"The entertainment is centred on the family so everybody from all ages can enjoy, from infants to any age. We have two stages this year, which serve individual purposes. One will be focused on family and the other for individuals and older festival goers." Different theme nights will cap off the days events. Acadian Night will be featuring Cayouche, who will be performing with a full band for two hours.

"He's a crowd favourite who always brings in a lot of people." Rock Night will be featuring ACDC tribute band, Dirty Deeds and local favourites Tracy Starr. The Divorcees are the Country Night band along with the Arsenault family.

A beer garden is a popular destination for adults, while a big screen Much Music dance will be held in the arena for ages 19 and under. For children during the festival, one stage will be committed to family entertainment with clowns, fire breathers, comedians and magicians performing. For classic old-fashioned entertainment, Campbell's Amusement will be providing carnival fun, introducing two new rides and bringing back the popular bracelet and Loonie days.

Rain or shine, the festival promises to maintain its charm and community identity.

Meloche and her family invite everyone out to participate in the fun.

"It's been part of our culture for 59 years. I think summer wouldn't be the same in Shediac if we didn't have this event to start our season."

To view the festival website go to www.shediaclobsterfestival.ca