A throng of locals and visitors gather each Sunday morning in Pascal Poirier Park for the Shediac Park Market, which offers more than the typical farmers market. Early in the morning, a family-friendly performance called "Toast and Jam" is put on at the Light House Stage. More than 120 vendors set up stalls to sell fresh fruit, vegetables, baked goods, photographs, paintings and handmade items for the home. During the market, inspirational talks are held in a circle underneath a large tree as part of the Talking Tree series.
Five days a year in July, the Shediac Lobster Festival honors the town's self-proclaimed reputation as the "lobster capital of the world." Families spend the afternoon enjoying carnival rides and playing games, before checking out live music and magic shows. Lobster suppers are served throughout the festival, and lobster-eating contests are held nightly. Participants are chosen at random from the crowd gathered at the festival grounds. The festivities conclude with a children's costume contest parade on Main Street.
The warmest sea water in all of Canada splashes onto the sandy beaches of Parlee Beach Provincial Park, in the neighboring Pointe-du-Chêne community. In addition to swimming, beach-goers play volleyball or football and participate in organized sandcastle contests. During the warmer months, the beach facility is open from early morning to late at night. If you wish to extend your beach experience, stay at the nearby 190-site campground with a restaurant, canteen, playground and amphitheater on site.
Take a 75-minute narrated sightseeing tour of the beach, island and wharf of Shediac Bay aboard the Ambassador. The 53-foot ship, operated by Shediac Bay Cruises, has 360-degree views from the main deck, which accommodates tables where passengers enjoy a lobster dinner. While the ship holds 65 passengers total, a minimum of 12 are required for the Ambassador to depart. As the warmest months are also the busiest, reservations are required in July and August.
