Local residents and those from out of province whose roots lie in Lunenburg are invited to descend upon the town to celebrate their own personal histories during Family History Week.

“Make Sail for Lunenburg” is possible thanks to a partnership between the South Shore Genealogical Society, the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and the Lunenburg Heritage Society.

Special events will include, on June 8, an educational program, complete with presentations by Ralph Getson, curator of the fisheries museum, and renowned genealogist Terry Punch, an acclaimed author and CBC’s family history expert.

Billed as the largest family history gathering in Lunenburg since the Grand Family Reunion in 2003, inquiries have already been received from as far away as New York.

That’s why it should come as no surprise that this August, Brooklyn will play host to the Queens County SeaFest.

The three-day celebration runs from August 24 to 26 at the Brooklyn Waterfront Park & Marina.

Highlights to look for at this year’s event include live entertainment all weekend, plenty of fun activities for kids and adults alike, a number of food vendors, a licenced entertainment tent and a tasty planked salmon supper.

Most importantly, of course, is the fishing derby, which will offer great prizes for those who bring in the best catches from off the Queens County coastline.

Located on Central Street, the museum sits on a full block of protected property, and was originally the home of Chester’s first municipal clerk, Charles Lordly. The house was originally known as Evergreen Hall by the community’s early residents and was built in 1806.

The residence was purchased by the Chester Municipal Heritage Society in July of 1996 and preparations immediately began for its development as a museum.

Today, in addition to hosting a museum, Lordly House is also home to a Community Access Program (C@P) computer site and the community’s bandstand sits on the property below the hilltop house.

Lordly House Museum opens its doors six days a week beginning each May. The museum can also be visited by special appointment during the off-season.

The isle, joined to the mainland by a short causeway, offers an oceanside campground and makes an excellent starting point for anyone interested in kayaking the local waters or having an on-foot hiking adventure around the island.

The park is open from mid-May through early October and has a 78-site campground, picnic and swimming areas, a playground and a boat launch.

In June of last year, a plaque was unveiled on the island to commemorate the placement of Canada’s first geocache in East River Provincial Park in 2000.

Aside from being a beautiful stopping point, Graves Island Provincial Park also offers quick access to a number of local points of interest, not the least of which includes the Village of Chester and Ross Farm Museum in New Ross.

With a collection of more than 30,000 artifacts linked to the seafaring history of Lunenburg, including the dockside ships the Theresa E. Connor, the side trawler Cape Sable and the wheelhouse and captain’s cabin of the old side trawler Cape North.

Inside the museum, you’ll find a fascinating aquarium, a First Peoples/Mi’kmaq fishing exhibit and other dynamic displays on marine engines, whaling and whales, boat building, the Bank fishery and the age of sail.

On the third floor, the Ice House Theatre, a rum-running exhibit and a host of artifacts depicting life in the fishing communities of yesterday will make you feel as though you’ve stepped through a portal and into the past.

And, should you have any questions, if museum curator Ralph Getson doesn’t know the answer, he’ll darned sure know where to find it.

Most years, as many as 1,000 people receive a traditional mackerel fish supper, including sides of potato, cucumber salad, a roll, pie for dessert and a beverage.

In addition to the great grub, there’s also regular entertainment offered on stage, games for kids, face painting, wheels of chance and a mini bingo.

The picnic originally began as a two-picnic-table event, when three East Chester residents hauled an old wood stove and the two newly built tables to Graves Island to cook some mackerel. The commotion eventually drew a crowd of about 200 people and quickly became a community tradition.

The picnic is a fundraiser for the East Chester Recreation Association, with proceeds used to cover operating costs and assist charitable causes.

Events are scheduled to view the best of the bloomers throughout the summer, including the Chester Garden Club’s annual Flower Show and Tea, which will take place at the Chester Legion on August 2, from 2 to 6 p.m.

The theme of this year’s show is “Flowers for all generations,” and entries in floral arrangements and specimens are invited from members and non-members alike.

Today, locals and visitors alike can get a sense of the grandeur and importance of the LaHave River in the course of Bridgewater’s development, as well as a relaxing outdoor experience, by visiting Shipyards Landing on King Street.

The landing features a picnic area, a boat launch and a brand-new bandstand, which is home to the Bridgewater Fire Department Band’s annual summer concert series.

The literally hundreds of tourists and area residents in attendance will get to see, and maybe even participate in, an array of fun activities built around competitive groundfishing.

The focal point for the event is the Kraut Point Wharf and festival boats, where there’s something for people of all ages, including entertainment, a poker challenge, a dance and food booths.

The event is one-part fishing derby and one-part community gala, and it serves as an important fundraiser for the Riverport and district fire department, as well as several other local community-based organizations, from the Girl Guides to the Lions Club.

Both Blandford and Tancook Island host picnics during the summer months, the former’s usually taking place in mid-July, while the latter’s takes place in August.

The event includes flea markets, live music, plenty of fun and a meal of salt herring, potatoes, cucumber salad, a bevy of baked beans and a special sweet treat for dessert.