The Port of Sept-Îles has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the creation of its port authority by holding a number of public activities in 2019 under the theme ’We are your Port, you are our world.”
The most notable events were two days of theme-related activities that were held in and around the port for the local population.
On May 25, for example, the port offered people free access to many of the sites and activities that are enjoyed by cruise ship passengers who visit Sept-Îles.
Dubbed ‘Cruise ship passenger for a day,’ the event featured zodiac boat excursions in the Bay of Sept-Îles and visits to two of the area’s most popular tourist attractions: the Old Trading Post and the regional museum.
Many activities took place in the cruise ship pavilion including featured performances by local Innu dancers and a saxophone player, music, arts and crafts and local beer tasting.
More than 300 people participated in the day’s events. ‘The free excursions were a great success. The population had to sign up online to reserve a space. The zodiac excursions were booked in an instant,’ said Patsy Keays, Director of Corporate Affaires at the Port of Sept-Îles.
The second thematic day, which was also held in the cruise ship pavilion on August 10, proved even more popular with over 1,000 people attending.
Dubbed ‘XXL Day: public market, tastings and contests,’ it began with an outdoor yoga class under sunny skies on the cruise ship dock. Things then shifted indoors and included the public market, local food tastings, cooking demonstrations, a strawberry pie contest as well as a mackerel fishing contest.
A local beer that was specially brewed to mark the port’s 20th anniversary was also launched at the event. In a joint agreement between the Port and the local brewing company, La Compagnie, both will make donations to local charities based on sales of the new Pointe aux Basques beer.
Upcoming events in which the port is participating to help mark its creation in 1999 include partnering with other stakeholders for a Hallowe’en party for local families in October, a benefit concert by Quebec recording star Dan Bigras in February and outdoor ice skating at the Old Trading Post throughout the winter season.