Turning an Abandoned Field Into a Festival

his week was a big one. After a lot of talking, planning, and dreaming, we finally got started on something we hope can become a really special tradition here in Newfoundland — the very first Skote Fest, a three-day community festival for Camp Skote. The town of Lewins Cove has kindly agreed to let us use an old abandoned ball field that hasn’t seen much action in years, but first… we had a lot of work to do. Armed with high hopes and a whole lot of optimism, we headed down the Burin Peninsula with a plan to start clearing the overgrowth and build a permanent stage for local musicians that will stay behind for the town to enjoy long after the festival is over. What happened next honestly surprised us. After putting out a simple post asking for volunteers, strangers from all over started showing up to help. Before long, there were excavators, tractors, pickups, pick and shovel work, and a whole lot of hardworking people all pitching in toward something bigger than themselves. Back home on the island, life carries on. We get to work improving the garden for the growing season, check in on our goats and sheep, and take our first family trip off the island since Sonny was born. Big dreams, hard work, and a whole lot of community. We love you and we really couldn't be doing this without each of you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.