Glacial giants drift down in time for the Iceberg Festival on the Northern Peninsula

Dozens of icebergs have been reported to coincide with the annual festival, which has had icebergs for visitors for a decade running.

Despite slow start to iceberg season, dozens arrived just ahead of the annual festival

CBC News Posted: Jun 08, 2018 9:13 AM EDT | Last Updated: June 8, 2018

Many of the ice chunks that break off Greenland glaciers simply melt away, but every year dozens, even hundreds, of them make their way down to the coast around Newfoundland and Labrador. (The Iceberg Festival/Facebook)

It has been a slow season for iceberg viewing so far, but a couple dozen bergshave shown upjust in time for the Northern Peninsula Iceberg Festival.

"Icebergs are the icon. Icebergs are important," saidfestival coordinator Joanna Pohl.

"Everyone comes to see the icebergs. The festival definitely revolves around that."

Most icebergs break off from Greenland's glacier and drift south into the Atlantic where they melt. But sometimes, they drift by Newfoundland and Labradorfor a visit.

For its ten years running, the Iceberg Festival has had visible icebergs for visitors to the Northern Peninsula to enjoy. (The Iceberg Festival/Facebook)

Although few icebergs have been spotted along the south coast of Newfoundland, more than 50 have been reported off the province's coasts thus far, with half of them floatingalong the island's northern tip.

Where are all the 'bergs? Tour operators say iceberg sightings in N.L. down this year so far

"There's more and more icebergs showing up everyday. There's one showing up in my backyard," said Andre Myers, a festival member andthe business manager for Viking Trails Association.

"I've grown up with icebergs bits in my backyard."

'We always had icebergs'

Myers says that it's hard to locate icebergs -- most icebergs are only visible by boat, but a few can be seen from the shorein Bird Cove and other communities surrounding the peninsula.

"There's always some anxiety prior to the festival," says Myers

"We knew there were a few icebergs around in May, so we knew it wasn't going to be a total disappointment. As soon as the festival, started more showed up."

The annual Iceberg Festival on the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland offers more than just icebergs for visitors, some of whom plan the trip years in advance. (The Iceberg Festival/Facebook)

Most visitors plan months, oreven years, ahead to see visitfestival, Myers said, and for 10 years running, the festival has had icebergs to greet those tourists.

"We can't always guarantee the size or where they'll be located," he said.

"But we always had icebergs."

More than just 'bergs on offer

But the festival offers more than just those coveted icebergs, Pohl said.

"Instead of waiting on the coast for an iceberg all day long, go inland and drive along the coast," she said.

The festival runs until June 10.

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