From June 8-10, the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park went ahead with good weather and participation. Organized by Parks Canada, the IATNL, and Ocean Quest Adventures, the weekend included a rug hooking and art exhibit, art workshop, Overfalls Trail hike, boat tours and shuttles on Trout River Pond, and nightly entertainment in Woody Point and Trout River.
On Friday afternoon, June 8, kids from Jakeman Elementary school in Trout River attended an art workshop in the Park’s Discovery Center, which was instructed by artists Jamie Lee Cormier and Sandra Parsons.
The art workshop was followed by a gathering of many of the exhibiting Tablelands Rug Hookers and IAT Art Collective artists at the Discovery Center, and a small reception at the Galliott Studio on the waterfront in Woody Point.
Some of the artists and rug hookers in front of their artwork at the Discovery Center
The exhibition of paintings and hooked rugs will remain at the Discovery Center throughout the summer, giving ample opportunity for those who missed the festival to see the artwork.
Friday night entertainment was provided by traditional musician and storyteller Daniel Payne at The Old Loft Restaurant, who seemed to have as many instruments in his repertoire as the restaurant had food items on its menu!
Galliott Studio (left) and The Old Loft Restaurant on the waterfront in Woody Point
Saturday’s events included zodiac rides on Trout River Pond, provided by Ocean Quest Adventures,
as well as full and half-day treks of the Overfalls Trail. The trailhead is reached after a half-hour zodiac shuttle that provides great views of the Tablelands.
The rides and trail shuttle will continue all summer, as a new attraction on the western side of the park.
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Ocean Quest Adventure’s Ryan Young operates the zodiac on Trout River Pond
The Overfalls Trail itself is a 5-kilometer backcountry trail which provides great views of Trout River Pond, the Tablelands and Overfalls waterfall, with occasional stops at smaller waterfalls along the way.
Hikers take a break at a stream crossing during the A&A festival
The round trip takes approximately 5-6 hours, however a pleasant hike to the scenic lookoff and first waterfalls can be done in 3 hours.
After Saturday’s hikes and boat rides, the A&A venue shifted to the Seaside Restaurant in the community of Trout River, where Woody Point musician Charlie Payne provided the perfect compliment to another night of traditional Newfoundland cuisine.
The evening was crowned by a beautiful sunset over the ocean
followed by more entertainment on the boardwalk and a bonfire on the beach, with roasted marshamallows for the kids.
Left to right, Artists Trudy Campbell and Georgina Payne, and hikers Alison Normore and Annie Wentzell
In closing, there was a good turn-out for the first Art & Adventure Festival in Gros Morne National Park. This bodes well for the future of the event, which will surely get bigger and better over time. Thanks to all of the participants for attending, and for those who helped make it a fun weekend of art and adventure!
