Trails and Tales and Tunes

As summer approaches we start to think about our favourite festivals. Usually, one theme will be highlighted at a time: food, music, culture elements, unique natural features or distinctive local lore. But if you want to be part of a something really special involving all of these themes, maybe treating yourself to a much-needed spring break in the process, read on.

For those of you who enjoy hiking, music, folklore and great food, maybe even yoga, the dates for the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival (TTT) are definitely worth etching in your agendas, circling on your kitchen calendar or saving in your Blackberry.

Happening for the third consecutive year, the Trails, Tales and Tunes Festival will take place from May 15-24 in Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park.

Shirley Montague is the festival organizer, although she would be quick to add this is a job she thankfully shares with a large group of co-organizers made up of neighbours, friends and just about everyone from the community of Norris Point.

Everyone has a specialty. Montague told me that this is the first festival for Norris Point.

"The festival is partly about celebrating the small town of Norris Point with all its scenic beauty and amenities. It is also about promoting spring and season extension rather than having the focus solely on July and August. It is also about celebrating grassroots arts and culture. It is a town in celebration of itself - where we are, what we have and who we are."

The festival website suggests you will enjoy a unique mix of daytime walks in spectacular Gros Morne National Park, afternoon workshops with artists and photographers, evening entertainment by very talented local musicians and storytellers performed in churches, halls, theatres and pubs throughout Norris Point. But I think I need to expand on that.

I attended the festival last year with for the first time, when Fred Hollingshurst and I did a presentation on our hiking adventure to Spain. We are looking forward to our visit this year. Having been involved in tourism development for a number of years, there are terms that have become etched in my brain and one of those that fits this TTT Festival perfectly is "experience."

Whether it is taking a hike in the incredible surroundings, listening to toe-tapping fiddle or accordion sounds, eating meals or homemade treats fit for a king or participating in an entertaining session on a wind-blown beach, everything is an experience, a memory that will stay with you long after you have arrived home.

This festival can also boast is its own radio station. VOBB or Voice of Bonne Bay transmits during the festival making the old cottage hospital, where it is housed, a hub of activity. The term "drop-in radio" has been coined for the temporary station and the location lends itself perfectly to that catch-phase. Comfy couches and chairs, a cup of coffee with a cookie are offered by the DJ of the hour.

Not only is radio a brilliant idea to get the message out about the festival, but it has also brought the entire region together. Stories are shared, greetings are delivered and great music is played. This all happens as visitors drop by or notes are handed to the DJ about some change to an event or a guest wishes to share a word or two with the listening public.

Spring in the park will amaze those with any appreciation of nature. Snow is mostly gone, with the exception of some spots the Long Range Mountains that dominate the horizon to the east of Norris Point. Brilliantly coloured wild flowers are nothing short of magical.

I've been told it is the best time of year to have a chance of viewing young moose either on the road or on some wilderness path.

"Trails" are one of the draws of the nineday festival and you will be delighted at the opportunities. Whether it is strolling through the community, a beach hike at sunset or a guided hike to some designated trail in Gros Morne National Park for the health minded, this year's activities are more varied than last. The activities will invigorate, the views will impress.

It's a pick-and-choose agenda geared to please even the most discerning of participants. Morning yoga sessions to limber up are also available.

Music has a very big part to play in the essence of the festival, as you would imagine - it is Newfoundland and Labrador after all. The town halls and pubs burst at the seams every night. You can walk to many of them because they are in Norris Point, an extra bonus. Daytime musical interludes are a joy.

Last year, Daniel Payne performed in the lobby of the Marine Centre. He had the place the palm of his hand. Drum Dancers from Labrador performed on the beach in front of Neddies Harbour Inn, with the backdrop of majestic Bonne Bay - a performance that transported watchers to another time.

Anita Best, one of Newfoundland's great musical ambassadors, Gayle Tapper and her hauntingly beautiful harp music, Anchors Away from Norris Point and Tom Power are but a few names to watch for while you are there.

There's something for everyone's musical tastes. Other performances include a plethora of talent by local storytellers, poets, authors and comedians.

The festival website showcases the event. The designer has done a exceptional job of keeping everything current, informative and entertaining. You can check the agenda, but you can also listen to sound bites from VOBB, plan your trip, view images and bios of this year's performers and enjoy a photo gallery of the area.

So take the plunge, get a sitter for the cat and plan to take in a few days or the entire nine days of festivities at the Trails, Tunes and Tales Festival. You will be amazed.