Meet You in Annapolis Royal!

Town Announces “Meet you in Annapolis Royal” Video Series

When they decided to create a series of five new promotional videos, the Town of Annapolis Royal had a great challenge. How do you capture more than 400 years of community and natural beauty in an attractive and engaging video production? With its particular mix of history, arts and gardens, Annapolis Royal is a community unlike any other. From the energy of the Saturday morning farmer’s market to the mystery of the candlelight tour at the Garrison Burial Grounds to the serenity of a walk through the roses at the Historic Gardens, Annapolis Royal offers a wide variety of experiences for visitors and residents. Capturing the spirit of the town was the task given to Edifice Media when the Town of Annapolis Royal partnered with various community groups to create the “Meet you in Annapolis Royal” promotional videos.

“My family and I have been spending summers in the Annapolis Royal area since 2006 and have always been drawn to this perfect little town” said Edifice Media CEO, Dr Christopher Cooper. “This past summer we filmed a series of promotional videos based on the Branded Entertainment model of short episodic snap shots of the best Annapolis Royal has to offer – as always just a pleasure to work with the core people taking on this initiative and what better canvas to paint with than Annapolis Royal!

This video project was funded by the Town of Annapolis Royal with support from the Historic Gardens, Parks Canada, The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal, Explorer Visitors Guide, Annapolis Heritage Society and Annapolis Region Community Arts Council. “It was such a pleasure to work with Christopher Cooper and all the community partners who collaborated on this project” said Trish Fry, Manager of the Historic Gardens. “With social media marketing at the forefront, it is vitally important to have visual and engaging media as part of our internet marketing, and Edifice Media delivered just that.”

The first of the videos in the “Meet you in Annapolis Royal” series was released in the autumn. This video featured Laura Lowe riding a bicycle along St George Street while greeting merchants and residents along the way. The remainder of the videos will be released March 3 through April 14 to build momentum leading into the 2014 visitor season. “Thanks to the Town of Annapolis Royal for leading this effort to get us this far” Fry adds. “Now it is up to all of us to ensure that this tool is used to its maximum potential.”

Check it out!    Meet You in Annapolis Royal

Save the Date – May 25, 2014

Save the date! 

Sunday, May 25, 2014 starting at 4pm

Historic Gardens Spring Dinner & Auction – A Community Tradition Continues!

The 19^th Annual Spring Dinner & Auction in support of the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 4-8pm at the Annapolis Royal Legion & Community Centre.

This much anticipated annual event has been a hallmark celebration of the Gardens in the community for almost TWO DECADES!

A spring highlight in Annapolis Royal, the evening promises great food, terrific fun, and a lot of laughs. There will be hundreds of items up for grabs, and most guests will be lucky enough to take home a treasure or two at the end of the night.

“The Spring Dinner & Auction is our one major annual fundraiser and is crucial to the Gardens’ survival” says Trish Fry, Gardens Manager. “We are so fortunate to have such terrific support from the Nova Scotia community. It never ceases to amaze me how generous our donors are, with contributions of artwork, gifts, certificates, and of course, there will be lots of incredible plant material for auction thanks to the wonderful support of the nurseries throughout the province.”

Organizers are pleased with how this year’s event is coming together, with some fresh new additions.  Fry notes “We have an incredible team of volunteers working hard this year to organize this important fundraiser – that energy and enthusiasm is what makes this event such a success.”

Tickets for the Spring Dinner & Auction are $40 and may be purchased until May 22 through the Gardens office (532-7018) or  via the Historic Gardens Online Shop. A photo gallery of items up for bid will be online soon at http://historicgardensauction.wordpress.com.

Meanwhile…

Save the date!

Annapolsi Royal has become a GHOST TOWN!

The teeny tiny town of Annapolis Royal has become a GHOST TOWN, temporarily at least. The annual GHOST TOWN festival was launched October 18 with the opening of the Sinclair Inn Museum Haunted House, Hidden Hauntings at the O’Dell House Museum, and Ghostly Gardens at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

Volunteers, businesses and organizations have been busily creating awesome decorations and special effects to beguile you as you visit our fair town. During the day, every day, you can explore the Ghostly Gardens, O’Dell House Museum, ArtsPlace and all the wonderful shops and Cafes. On October 25/26 the “after dark” events take centre stage, 6:30pm-9:30pm.

Check out the full schedule at www.ExploreGhostTown.com.

Acadian Kitchen Party – Tuesday August 6 at the Historic Gardens!

 

Acadian Kitchen Party – Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Historic Gardens, Annapolis Royal

 

Yes, it’s back!

Plan to visit the Historic Gardens in Annapolis Royal on Tuesday, August 6, 5-8pm for the annual Acadian Kitchen Party. A great time was had by all at the “first ever” Historic Gardens Acadian Kitchen Party in August 2012, and the community and visitors alike are looking forward to even more fun in 2013!

Experience a unique evening in the mid-summer Gardens surrounded by the dynamic sound of Acadian kitchen band Unisson! It will be a toe-tapping time – you won’t be able to sit still! Celebrated Nova Scotia story teller Laurent D’Entremont will join the fun to treat everyone a few tales. Enjoy nibbles with an Acadian flair and Nova Scotia wine, beer, and cider. Be sure to bring along a lawn chair or blanket so you can relax, settle in and enjoy the evening!

Children are welcome to enjoy this licensed event with their families! Please note: Minors under age 19 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Tickets $20 (Children 7-12 pay half price, and under 6, free). Cash bar.

The Acadian Kitchen Party is a wonderful cultural event that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Be sure to experience it for yourself!

For tickets & information, visit www.AcadianKitchenParty.com or www.HistoricGardens.com or call (902) 532-7018.

Calling All Shutterbugs!

The time is upon us to start collecting our best photos for the 2013 Annapolis Royal Photo Contest & Exhibit.

• Got some great shots of people enjoying Natal Day? If not, make sure you take your camera everywhere with you this year!
• Got some great photos in the Historic Gardens? Well, c’mon down and get some more!
• Got some other cool shots from around Annapolis Royal? I bet there are more special scenes awaiting you and your camera!

So… grab that camera and get out there. Shoot, shoot, shoot and then select your best and submit them for our annual Photo Contest. There are various competitive categories, and we accept non-competitive entries as well for exhibit.

Deadline for submissions is Wednesday August 7, 2013.

Download Rules/Guidelines and Entry Form HERE.

 

Winter at Fort Anne

Fort Anne National Historic Site is a gem located in historic Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Worth a visit during their operating season, but also great in the off season… even in the winter!

Want to know more about Fort Anne? See some stunning footage, historic views and beautiful photographs? Follow the link below From Jan 28 – Feb 4 and watch this production by Heritage Places Television.

Annapolis Royal Winter Farmers Market – A Going Concern!

In wee little Annapolis Royal, we are fortunate to have access to a year round Farmer’s Market. In the summer it is located downtown in our Market Square and in the winter it moves to the Historic Gardens.

It is wonderful to have access to locally grown and locally made food products 52 weeks a year!

Annapolis Royal Winter Farmers Market – Every Saturday morning, 9-12, until May 11

Ride on in to Annapolis Royal during Wharf Rat Rally 2012

It is time to haul out the leather and rev up the engine for another edition of Digby’s famous Wharf Rat Rally.  This event has quickly grown to become an important part of the local tourist season and Annapolis Royal is ready to welcome the Wharf Rats to the area.

If you are looking for a chance to ride, there will be a couple of opportunities to experience our region.  For those looking for a guided tour, on Saturday and Sunday a group will leave Digby and travel to various destinations around Annapolis Royal.

As a unique highlight, Annapolis Royal offers Wharf Rats the greatest photo op ever! At the Historic Gardens you and your bike will have the chance to go “Hawg Wild in the Gardens”.  Imagine rumbling in to get your photograph taken among the flowers.  For the “You & Your Bike” photo opp, there are two options: Self Serve & Full Service. Self Serve allows you to bring your motorcycle into the Gardens and take your own photos, while Full Service provides VIP treatment with preferred locations and a photographer to accompany you. It’s a terrific and unique opportunity! Get the details HERE.

While you are in Annapolis Royal, take some time to stroll the waterfront shopping district and to visit our many attractions and museums. Be sure to check out the Annapolis Royal Photo Exhibit at the Historic Gardens and the O’Dell House Museum all weekend long. On Saturday morning, don’t miss the Farmer’s & Trader’s Market – the largest outdoor market in Nova Scotia! Also on Saturday, outside the Sinclair Inn Museum, stop by to see Ken “Hewing to the Line” – watch this novice timber framer “square up” a beam from a log, and try your hand at wielding a broad axe or adze.

Join us in Annapolis Royal this weekend!

Annapolis Royal Photo Contest & Exhibit – Until September 3!

For several years, the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens has hosted an annual Photo Contest & Exhibit, encouraging visitors to share their best photos of the Gardens. This year, staff at the Gardens joined forces with the Annapolis Heritage Society and created an expanded contest, broadening the scope to include photos of heritage and the community as well. The results were very positive, with more than 100 photographs of the Gardens and the Town being entered. These photos are on display in the Historic Gardens Interpretive Centre (garden shots) and at the O’Dell House Museum (heritage & community shots). In addition to the contest entries, there are a number of exhibit-only entries, including many by staff members of the two organizations.

Photographs were judged by a visiting professional who generously gave of his time and expertise while he was in the area! Winners of the 14 categories were Beverley Hudson (4), Terry Murphy (4), Grant Lohnes (2), Jane DeWolfe (1), Matt Dill (1), Keith Doucet (1) and Cameron Wagner (1). The Grand Prize Winners in each division were Beverley Hudson (Historic Gardens division) and Terry Murphy (Annapolis Heritage Society divison).

Full Winners List.

People’s Choice voting is currently open for each division and will be awarded at the end of the Exhibit period.

Also of interest, at the O’Dell House Museum, is a display dedicated to “Project 365”, an effort by three local photographers in 2011 to take and share a community photo every single day of the year!

The Annapolis Royal Photo Exhibit is open at the Historic Gardens and the O’Dell House Museum until September 3. Have a look at your community through the eyes of more than a dozen photographers, and be sure to place your votes for People’s Choice awards in each division!

2012 Photo Contest – Calling All Shutterbugs!

The Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens is having its 7th annual Photography Contest & Exhibit in celebration of these wonderful Gardens. And this year, we are joined by the Annapolis Heritage Society in our efforts. Together, we will have a photo contest and exhibit that showcases the Gardens AND the Town of Annapolis Royal.

·    The contest is open to all amateur photographers.
·    The exhibit is open to all photographers, amateur and professional, who would just like to put their photos on display.

.
Entry of Photos:    Must be received by Wed, August 15 at the Gardens office.

Judging:         To take place Friday, August 17.

Exhibit:         From Saturday, August 18 to Monday, September 3

Entry Categories

Historic Gardens Division – Garden Photos
Photos must be taken in the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens

Categories

1.    Specimen photo of a rose
2.    Specimen photo of a lily
3.    Any other specimen photo
4.    Overall scenes/views of the Gardens
5.    Photos of people enjoying the Gardens
6.    Children’s category:  photograph by a young person (12 or younger)
7.    Black & White
8.    Garden Critters

Annapolis Heritage Society Division – Heritage & Community Photos
Photos must be taken in the Town of Annapolis Royal.

Categories

1.    Windows & Doors
2.    Landscape
3.    Heritage in the Community / Community Events
4.    The Shoreline
5.    Buildings of Annapolis Royal
6.    Children’s category:  photograph by a young person (12 or younger)
7.    Black & White

All photo entries must be delivered to the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens on or before August 15.

Photos will be displayed August 18 – September 3
in the Gardens Interpretive Centre and the O’Dell House Museum.

DOWNLOAD Entry Information and Entry Form HERE.
Further Information:
532-7018 or admin@historicgardens.com