Rebranded Summerside Lobster Festival hits waterfront

The Summerside Lobster Carnival has been renamed the Lobster Festival and organizers promise a bigger event.

The midway carnival rides and games, along with the lobster dinners, are gone, but the new festival will have concerts and kid-focusedevents. Its now held on the waterfront, where a big tent hosts entertainment.

It started with a lobster-themed parade Monday. There will also be a sandcastle building event, a kids' area with bouncy castles, a lobster trap challenge and a youth talent competition.

There's no doubt about it. There was a need for change.- Tim Gillis

"The biggest change we have this year is that we've moved everything down to the waterfront, saidDon Quarles, the festivals executive director.

I know in the past, they've just tried new things every year and new people and of coursethere's a learning curve every time you do that."

The Go Lobster theme sees 18 restaurants featuring lobster dishes.

Tim Gillis attends every year.

"There's no doubt about it. There was a need for a change, he said.

The city took over the event this year. It's the first time the festival has had one dedicated organizer.

Quarles hopesto renew the week-long event, which saw a decline in attendance and interest in recent years.

The festival wraps up on Sunday.