A new way for tourists to experience Acadian history.
Seventy-eight video vignettes are now part of the Acadian Shores Interpretive Tour through Clare, Argyle and Yarmouth.
The videos can be accessed on your smartphone through interpretive panels at 38 heritage sites
Clare’s tourism manager Larry Peach says it was important to have this ready for tourism season.
“There are visitors that are actually going to most of the sites already. We’re slowing them down, that means they’re staying in our communities and spending money, which is a great thing to see,” said Peach.
Sites with the most views so far include Saint Bernard Church, the Acadian museum in Pubnico and the Grosses Coques cross.
“The cross is a new site we recently added, it’s got a significant amount of views. There is strong community interest already in this project.”
There are 18 sites in the Municipality of Argyle, 17 in the Municipality of Clare and three in the Town and Municipality of Yarmouth.
The videos were produced in both English and French, and can also be viewed online.
The panels were re-done ahead of the Congres Mondial Acadien in 2024.
The Fricot Franco Festival will be held from August 12 to 16 in downtown Dieppe.
The City of Dieppe created this community-building event to showcase Acadian culture, language and Acadian heritage through music, laughter and the arts.
The Fricot Franco Festival builds on Dieppe’s rich traditions while opening the door to new ways of experiencing and sharing La Francophonie.
“We’ve always known over the years to have one of the biggest August 15th celebrations. We kind of built on that. So we’ve got our August 15th celebration, but we also have more music that we’ll be adding throughout the week. We’re also adding a comedy night with local artists, and there’ll also be some circus acts on Sunday afternoon at Place 1604,” Director of Community Living Denis Leblanc told our newsroom.
Several acts to enjoy
Wednesday, August 12: Chris Belliveau and Jourdan Thibodeaux will perform at the Wednesday Show Thursday, August 13: Comedy show featuring Lynn Solange, Line Woods and Anabelle Hebert, hosted by Rose Beef Friday, August 14: Tina Gautreau, Radio Radio, Roland Gauvin, Tcheu Misère and Beauxmont will take place at Musiqu’ART Saturday, August 15: The official National Acadian Day show, produced by the SNA, at the Musiqu’ART venue Sunday, August 16: Vague de Cirque, Monsieur Crapeau and magician Rémi Boudreau will perform as part of family day.
“The Fricot Franco Festival is an opportunity to experience our culture fully over an extended period, to welcome artists from here and elsewhere, and to create lasting memories for our families and visitors,” Leblanc added.
The name Fricot Franco Festival hints at a food component. Leblanc explained they plan to work with local restaurants, but they’re still developing that concept, and it will be announced in May or June.
Thousands gather every year to celebrate
Leblanc added that their Quinze Août celebrations, combined with this festival, will offer proof that Acadians know how to party. “So our August 15th celebrations in the past years have had between 15,000 and 18,000, so we’re expecting the same for this year. August 15th is on a Saturday. So most people have that day off. So we’re expecting about that amount. Over the week, we’re expecting about another 5,000 to 10,000 people to participate in the other activities. It’ll be downtown. It’s accessible. Parking is plenty.”
While the festival has several musical acts from New Brunswick, there are also others. Leblanc explained that Acadians have strong links with Louisiana, so they have a couple from there, and from Quebec too. A full list of all of the acts can be found on the City of Dieppe website.
“Dieppe is a city that moves, sings and celebrates!” With the Fricot Franco Festival, we are taking a new step forward in our efforts to promote our culture. It’s an event that reflects who we are: festive, inclusive and proudly francophone. “I am convinced that this festival will become a must-attend event for the entire region,” said Mayor Yvon Lapierre.
Fricot Franco Festival PHOTO: CITY OF DIEPPE/SUBMITTED
