A bit of drizzle can't hurt: 199th Royal St. John's Regatta underway
Races kicked off at 8:00 a.m. at Quidi Vidi Lake
An August tradition in St. John's is well underway, after organizers with the Royal St. John's Regatta looked at the forecast and gave the all clear for the 199th annual rowing competition.
The sweet sounds of St. John's -- there's more than just boats at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Regatta2017?src=hash">#Regatta2017</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/TRobertst">@TRobertst</a> takes us there <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cbchh">@cbchh</a> <a href="https://t.co/1TeII3FuJt">pic.twitter.com/1TeII3FuJt</a>
—@CBCMorningLiveBrad Power, who helps run operations at the lake, said his staff were ready to spring in to action as soon as the races were called this morning.
"When we say it's a go for Regatta day, our staff now are coordinating, putting over 20 racing shells on the dock, and having them positioned for the various races of the day," said Power
Games, food aplenty
One of the big draws down at the lake today will be the games and food trucks set up.
Folklorist Dale Jarvis has made it a longstanding tradition to head on out each year to #EatThePond.
Get ready!!! The <a href="https://twitter.com/StJohnsRegatta">@StJohnsRegatta</a> is a go! Time to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EatThePond?src=hash">#EatThePond</a>
—@DaleJarvisHe's excited about the always popular Hindu Temple, as well as newer stands from international restaurants like Soul Azteca.
The races kicked off at 8:00 a.m. at Quidi Vidi Lake, with the senior female amateur category, and around 100 crews are set to race throughout the day.
Social event
People started making their way to the shores of the lake by 7 a.m.
Some spectators are there for the races, and others there for the food and games.
One games vendor, Stephen Hammond, said some of those who set up game booths at the Regatta have been doing it for more than 50 years.
Crowds are filing in now for the races. #regatta2017#cbcnl <a href="https://t.co/S2SRwPiEBd">pic.twitter.com/S2SRwPiEBd</a>
—@ryancookeNLHammond said he's learned over his years at the regatta that the weather needs to be extremely bad to keep people away.
"People will come out anyway, as long as it doesn't downpour it will be fine," he told CBC from the lake.
"Kids love to come down and play the games, people who are a bit older come down for the social aspect and play some games as well. It's just a big community event."
Regatta day is the only weather dependent holiday in the country.
The event means several road closures in the Quidi Vidi area, and full details can be found on the City of St. John's website.
With files from Ryan Cooke