Albert “Bud” Chafe Rowing Center & Boathouse, Lady Lake
Harbour Grace Regatta (160th Running)
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2022
Time: 9 a.m. (Championship Race @ 6:30 p.m.)
Location: Lady Lake, Harbour Grace, NL
Harbour Grace Regatta Facebook
Memories of the Harbour Grace Regatta (Harbour Grace Tourism, 2000)
Location:
GPS Coordinates: 47.689813, -53.250535
Account of an Early Regatta (1862)
What an eventful day July 22, 1862, must have been in Harbour Grace when members of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire company came out in their blue uniforms and headed by a band formed the procession and marched carrying boats on their backs to Lady Lake, or Lady Pond as it was known, to hold the town’s first regatta. A description reads: It was a red Garibaldi shirt with green velvet-facing pants with red stripes down the side and the cap like that worn by the soldiers of the Federal Army during the Civil War. Each officer had his own insignia – for instance, the Treasurer worse the keys, and Secretary, quills, etc. It was a picturesque and splendid uniform that was used for special occasions.”
It must have been a colourful sight for those spectators who lined the route to the lake or followed the procession all the way to the waters of Lady Lake, where the grounds and numerous tents were decorated with buntings and flags.
The late Mrs. L.C. Davis wrote in 1968: “Horse drawn vehicles, long carts, baby carriages, shanks mare or any means of transportation available brought the townspeople to the lakeside in the early years. Harbour Grace was almost a ‘deserted town.’ The day at the races meant family gatherings in the country, where picnic were chosen, fires lit, and baskets unpacked.”
While women busied themselves preparing the meal, men and children gathered at the shore to watch the progress of the boats. There were tents to buy refreshments, places for children to spent their pocket money.
Fine bands were there to play familiar tunes; and with the firing of the gun, they broke into the longtime favourite “The Banks of Newfoundland” as the winning crew pulled into shore. Men such as Will Kennedy, Lote Whiteman, Bob Brazil and Bill provided the music.