Celebrate Ocean Week Canada in Iona
Join us for the 9th Annual Àros na Mara World Oceans Day Festival — a week-long celebration of the sea, our coastal communities, and the wonders beneath the waves.
Location: Iona, Nova Scotia
Dates: June 1–8, 2025
Opening Celebration
Date: Sunday, June 1
Time: 2:00 PM
Location: Iona Port
Kick things off with a community celebration featuring:
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BBQ
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Cake and refreshments
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Scavenger hunt
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Live music
Festival Highlights Throughout the Week:
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Interactive ocean displays
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Historical exhibits
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Local music and food
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Hands-on marine science activities
Saturday, June 7 – Celebrate International Trails Day by exploring and appreciating the natural beauty of our land and sea.
Grand Finale: World Oceans Day
Date: Sunday, June 8
Theme: “Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us”
Join us as we celebrate, learn about, and commit to protecting the ocean that supports life on Earth.
Port of Iona & St. Columba Church Centre
12:00–4:00 pm
- 11:30 am – Opening with Pipers Aiden MacNeil & Cameron MacNeil
- 12:00 pm – Official Opening Ceremony
- Blessing and remarks by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall
- “O Canada” by Rankin School Choir
- Remarks by Dr. Hatcher and Dr. Slotnick
Activities and Displays
12:00–4:00 pm
- Food vendors, community displays & live music
- Children’s activities & games
- Antique & custom car displays
- Louisbourg Seafoods Truck –12:00–4:00 pm
- Bras d’Or Watch on the beach – 12:30 pm
- Girls on Boards – Paddle board demo – 12:30 pm
- Louisbourg Seafoods filleting demo – 1:00 pm
- Pam Wamback – Author readings – 1:00 & 2:30 pm
- iNaturalist App demo –1:00, 2:00, 3:00 pm
- Deep Dive Discussion with Dr. Hatcher, Dr. Slotnick, and guests – 2:00 pm
St. Columba Church Centre
12:00–3:30 pm
- Chowder and food service
- Rankin School & Baddeck Academy Artwork
Exhibitors and Partners:
- Bras d’Or Lakes Biosphere Region Association
- Canadian Sea Turtle Network
- Cape Breton Antique and Custom Car Club
- CEPI
- DFO – Ocean Map (outside Café)
- DNR
- Michael Gerhardtz – Video viewing
- NSCC – Safety gear display
- NST
- Northside Motorcycle Club
- Orangedale Station
- Parks Canada
- TCT
- UINR
- Victoria County Bookmobile
Frolic’n Folk Pub
5:00–8:00 pm
- Live music (performer TBD)
- Lillianah Technologies NS Inc. session – 2:00 p
For more information and updates:
Website: www.centralcapebreton.com
Facebook: Àros na Mara
