MADAWASKA, Maine — Several dozen volunteers are working behind the scenes for the 47th annual Acadian Festival in Madawaska in August. The festival lasts several days, and is the town’s largest annual event.
Though the festival has been taking place for nearly half a century, organizers are still adding new events and activities. One notable addition this year is the Miss Acadian Festival Pageant, scheduled about a week before the festivities at the Madawaska High School on Saturday, Aug. 9.
About 10 people are on the Acadian Festival Committee, and Chair Danielle Hebert said they spend much of the year planning the festival.
“We take a month or two off, but by Oct. 1 we’re definitely headed towards planning for the following year,” she said. “But we do take a little bit of time to unwind and reinvigorate ourselves.”
The event is also made possible through the help of funding via sponsors and the help of several dozen volunteers, including town officials from nearly every municipal department.
“It definitely takes a team effort to pull this festival together,” Hebert said. “It’s four days, but a lot of planning goes into it. We’re very thankful for everyone’s help.”
The pageant will include categories for all age groups, and Hebert said the winners will be featured during the parade on the following weekend.
“We have participants of all ages, so it should be really fun, and a great new addition to the festival,” Hebert said.
About a week after the pageant, the festival will kick off on Thursday, Aug. 14 with music in the park, or “Soiree du Bon Vieux Temps,” from the band Showtime.
Several events are planned throughout the day on Aug. 15 including an Acadian Mass at Mizpah on 129 Doucette Road in Grand Isle, an art expo at the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a senior picnic at the Multi-Purpose building on 7th Avenue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hebert said that National Acadian Day also falls on Aug. 15, and that there will be a Madawaska Maliseet First Nation cultural demonstration by Shawn Francis of Edmundston at the multi-purpose center at 5:30 p.m. She said that Francis will also discuss the region’s Acadian history, and then lead everyone into the tintamarre parade. This parade is a loud Acadian tradition that features noisemakers and pots and pans.
“It kind of lets everyone know that we’re here, we’re Acadian, and we’re proud,” she said.
Festivities at the multi-purpose center will continue into the night and include a cornhole tournament, a magic show, face painting, a beer garden and a performance from Star City Syndicate.
Many of the Friday festivities have in the past taken place on Main Street, but Hebert said they were moved to the multi-purpose center this year. The move will allow Main Street to stay open to traffic and for events there to proceed smoothly. The Aug. 15 craft fair, which traditionally took place at the center, has been moved to the high school this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We’re testing this out to see how well it works,” she said. “It’s always a fluid thing, so we’re open to changes in the future.”
The parade, however, is still set for Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. on Main Street.
With the 50th anniversary of the festival approaching soon, Hebert said one factor that has helped the event endure is the community and cultural spirit that it fosters.
“To me, it’s the sense of family,” she said. “I know so many people that plan their family vacations around this festival. It’s just a time for people that live away to come home and feel that sense of home and family.”
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the days of the week of past festival activities.
