Maritimers soak up summer weather after long winter, damp spring

Maritimers are ready to soak up the sun and make the most of summer.

It’s sprinkler season, school’s out and with hot temperatures throughout the Maritimes on Thursday it was an ideal day to grab an ice cream.

At Governor’s Pub and Eatery along the Sydney Waterfront the patio was busy.

“Oh, it’s absolutely full,” said Ardon Mofford, owner and head chef. “They’re lining up on the street to get on the decks during cruise ship season.”

With nice weather falling on Canada Day this year, Mofford added his outdoor seating was full for the holiday as well.

As a seasonal business specializing in seafood, he said about 70 per cent of his annual revenue comes in the summer.

“We rely on it,” Mofford said. “It’s very important for us. It’s very important for the staff. We literally cut probably four to six people every single day if the weather doesn’t cooperate.”

“Well for us, it means our peak tourism season is coming,” added Terry Smith, CEO of Destination Cape Breton.

According to operators he has heard from, Smith said bookings are up this summer compared to last. With more people vacationing closer to home these days, he adds a Cape Breton summer basically sells itself.

“We’ve got lobster,” Smith said. “We’ve got some other seafood. We have some amazing festivals with wonderful music lineups and it’s a great time to go to the beach as well. Go for a hike, go for a kayak.”

The fact the warm weather has only now started to arrive in Cape Breton means Mary Beth Farrell of Sydney is still waiting to enjoy her first swim of the season.

“This time last year I was swimming in the Bras d’or Lake and I haven’t done that yet,” Farrell said. “Haven’t put my foot in. So hopefully I’ll do that today.”

Some other parts of the Maritimes – including Halifax and some areas of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island – were under a heat warning on Thursday.

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