Harbour Grace is a rural community in eastern Newfoundland - population 3074. While we may be small in numbers we are certainly not small when it comes to our community spirit, hometown pride and passion for sports. Harbour Grace is home to NHL player and Stanley Cup Champion Dan Cleary and home to Olympic Gold Medalist and Curling Champion Jamie Korab. Harbour Grace is also the proud home of CeeBees Hockey - the first Newfoundlander to play in the NHL, Alex Faulkner, laced up his skates with the CeeBees and we are very proud that graduated player Robert Slaney just signed a three year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Harbour Grace athletes have also excelled in soccer, wrestling, tennis, rugby, softball, baseball, ball hockey, darts, swimming, karate, track and field, and rowing. We are a town rich in sports history. We are home to the second oldest continuous sporting event in North America - our annual Regatta. Residents have been flocking the shores of Lady Lake for 147 years to cheer on their local favourites. Some reminisce about past regattas and champions, others enjoy a mooseburger or plate of fish n' brewis, and the children try their luck at the games tables. The community refresh money would certainly go a long way in helping out the Regatta Committee. The boathouse does not have any electricity, plumbing, or washroom facilities. A group of volunteers are working very hard to ensure the funds are secured and the improvements are made for our 150th anniversary. These improvements would help ensure the Regatta would be around for another 147 years! Rowing has been passed down from generations in many households in Harbour Grace. Years ago a group of local fishermen would carry their boats to Lady Lake on their shoulders, have their turn rowing, and walk home again carrying their boats and oars. My daughter is 8 and she just started rowing this year - she is the fifth generation to row. It brought a tear to my eye when she sat in the rowing shell for the very first time knowing that she was carrying on a valuable family tradition. Her coxswain, 70+ year old Bud Chafe, has been around the waters of Lady Lake since he was old enough to attend as a child. He has been rowing and steering for many years. He has steered all of his children and their spouses and once his grandchildren are able to row they are in the boat as well. Harbour Grace would love to have the opportunity to welcome TSN and Kraft to our historic town and to help you celebrate your 25th anniversary.
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COMMENTS (32)
06/08/09
The Harbour Grace regatta has always been a great community event. Generations of families have made it an annual tradition every year. It definitely promotes a healthy, active lifestyle within this region. It is great to see so many young children getting involved in this wonderful sport. The prize money would be a definite boost to this event and is much needed to improve the facility for generations to come.
06/12/09
As the sign in the picture above states.....'Sports Capital of Newfoundland and Labrador". There's no other town in Newfoundland that can boast that they are home to a Stanley Cup Champion and an Olympic Gold Medalist. The citizens of this town are very proud of Danny's and Jamie's accomplishments. Presently we are on the eve of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final and our small town is Cup Crazy. There's signs on lawns, Detroit stickers on cars, red and white balloons can't be found in the local stores, and businesses have decorated their premises. Local schools have had 'Danny Cleary Day' and students held a pep rally to show their support for one of our heroes. Locals proudly wear their Detroit jerseys....we've even managed to woo a few Leafs and Canadiens fans. If chosen to be one of the ten communities TSN Sportscentre, along with Jennifer & Darren, will be shown a party like they've never seen before and we look forward to their visit.
06/12/09
Fruity Fridays at Harbour Grace Primary......My name is Camryn and I am a grade 2 student at Harbour Grace Primary. My school has a bunch of activities that helps us to be healthy and reminds us to be active. Every Friday we have a class competition and everyone has to have a fruity snack for recess. Last week we had 100% from all of our students in school and the teachers were very happy. Our cafeteria only has healthy food. We also participate in the Juvenile Walk for Diabetes, Terry Fox Run, and the annual harvest run. We go skating in the winter. My class also took part in the Swim to Survive program and it was a lot of fun. My school is a Gold Winner in the quality physical education program. Every student at my school has at least 100 minutes of quality physical per week. There's also after school sports programs. Sometimes we go outside to the soccer field on nice days and that's a lot of fun. We also celebrate the Healthy Living Commotion. We talk about ways to stay healthy, eat healthy and to be very active. When I am not in school I like to figure skate, play soccer, play piano and go to brownies. This year I just started rowing for the very time and I will be in the regatta.
06/12/09
The Harbour Grace Regatta is a sporting event that is very special to our family. My father-in-law Albert (Bud) Chafe puts countless time and effort in keeping the tradition alive . This year more of our children have become involved and have taken a great interest in rowing. The boathouse needs many upgrades and the money from this contest would be greatly appreciated! My 7 year old daughter started rowing this year and I would love to see her continue in years to come, being involved, and following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather!
06/12/09
The Spirit of Harbour Grace..... The scenic town of Harbour Grace has a deep and rich history spanning over 500 years. From the pirating fights of Peter Easton and the pioneering flight of Amelia Earhart to historical sites and buildings. Harbour Grace has long been the center of excitement, adventure and beauty. Entering the town via 'Jamie's Way' - named for Olympic gold medalist and Harbour Grace native Jamie Korab - the first two things to catch your eye are the SS Kyle and the Spirit of Harbour Grace. The Kyle has been referred to as 'the boat that doesn't float' and the Spirit of Harbour Grace has been referred to as 'the plane that doesn't fly'! The Kyle has been located at Riverhead, Harbour Grace, since 1967 when a storm caused it to break its moorings and it drifted upon a mussel bed. It's been sitting there ever since. A group of die-hard hockey fans boarded the old rusting ship and placed a huge 72 foot banner across the Kyle reading "Go Red Wings Go", in support of our hometown hero and Stanley Cup Champion, Dan Cleary. As the banner was unrolled and the finishing touches were put in place hundreds of elated hockey fans cheered from the shore. Over their shoulders and ironically painted red and white sat the Spirit of Harbour Grace. The plane has been placed in the town to represent our aviation history. However, on that day it did indeed represent the true spirt of the people of Harbour Grace.