From June 8-10, Parks Canada, IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures will be presenting the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park. The 3-day event will include hooked rug and fine art exhibits and workshops at the park’s Discovery Center in Woody Point, zodiac adventures on Trout River Pond, and guided hikes of nearby Overfalls Trail.
The Friday, June 8 schedule includes a 10:00 am rug hooking workshop and a 12:45 pm art workshop at the Discovery Center, both free and open to the public. The latter will include children from the Grade 4 – 6 class at Trout River Academy.
This will be followed by the official opening party at the Old Loft restaurant on the waterfront in Woody Point, with musical entertainment by Daniel Payne beginning at 9:00 pm.
The hooked rug and art exhibit will continue all day Saturday and Sunday, while the zodiac and hiking adventures begin at 8:30 am and run until 6:00 pm.
Zodiac and Hiking Schedule – Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10
8:30 am – Zodiac shuttle to Overfalls Trailhead for half-day (morning) guided hike
9:30 am – Zodiac shuttle to Overfalls Trailhead for full-day guided hike
10:30 am to 12:00 pm – 1.5-hour zodiac tour of Trout River Pond
12:30 pm – Zodiac shuttle to Overfalls Trailhead for half-day (afternoon) guided hike, and return of morning hike
1:30 pm – Pick up of Trout River Pond Hike at the Narrows (Park-guided hike on Sunday)
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm – 1.5-hour zodiac tour of of Trout River Pond
4:30 pm – Zodiac shuttle from Overfalls Trailhead for full-day hike
5:30 pm – Zodiac shuttle from Overfalls Trailhead for half-day (afternoon) hike
Space available for the zodiac shuttle and tours is VERY limited and discounted 40% during the A & A Festival. So be sure to reserve early while supplies last (call Ocean Quest at 1-866-623-2664), and don’t forget to purchase your currently-on-sale park pass.
View of the Overfalls from the trail
On Saturday and Sunday, Ocean Quest will also be offering 2-hour guided kayak tours of Trout River Pond, beginning at 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 4:00pm.
Finally, after your Saturday adventure in the gallery, across the pond, and on the trail, join the fun at Seaside Restaurant near the boardwalk in the community of Trout River for an A&A Special and free entertainment, starring local accordian player and guitarist Charlie Payne – and anyone with enough courage to sing along – followed by a bonfire on the beach and sunset in the ocean!
