By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
With the 2014 World Acadian Congress fast approaching, many visitors from all across the globe will soon be gathering in northern Aroostook County and its neighboring counties in Canada to join in the massive celebration of Acadian culture,
One group of volunteers from Van Buren have been working tirelessly to bring a wide array of fun and informational activities to the town’s Acadian Village. The Friends of the Acadian Village is a group of ladies from the Van Buren area who have joined together to bring a blast of Acadian culture to the village that will span the entire month of August and beyond into mid-September.
“The group of volunteers was established last year in an effort to bring more activities to the village,” said the group’s secretary Betty Levesque. “We are a volunteer group of ladies who, through our efforts, has successfully planned many events and activities.”
The Acadian Village was built by the L’Heritage Vivant, or for those who don’t speak French the Living Heritage Historical Society in Van Buren. The land on which The Village is situated on was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ayotte of Van Buren/Keegan. Until donated, the land had been part of the Ayotte family’s potato farm.
The group relied upon fundraising projects, donations and labor from private citizens, as well as several small federal grants and the generosity of local government and organizations, who have all played a major role in completing the project of building the Acadian Village.
The Village officially opened on July 1, 1976, just in time to be listed as one of the top 55 Independence Day National Events for the bicentennial year. People from Van Buren, Hamlin, Cyr Plantation, and Grand Isle were and continue to be involved in maintaining the village.
The director of the Acadian Village is Anne Roy, who has held the position for over 30 years. Along with volunteers like Roy and Levesque, the group has been very successful in creating a packed schedule for the month of August.
“The main goal we’re looking to achieve is a better understanding of our neighbors and the different aspects of Acadian culture that many people may not be aware of,” said Roy. “The event is being labeled the “two-nation vacation” and I think it will really be good to bring people from both the St. John Valley and our neighboring Canadian provinces together to share in this rich culture.”
Roy also spoke about how the upcoming Acadian Congress really helped to motivate people to better learn and understand their heritage, while also establishing a new motivation to refurbish some of the Acadian landmarks and buildings that are now being utilized for the upcoming congress.
“I think it really woke up the pride of the people in the area,” said Roy. “It’s given them some extra motivation to understand and take pride in Acadian culture.”
Some of the events on the Village’s schedule include a “Kids Kamp” at the town’s old school house, canning demonstrations, the Cyr bus tour, blacksmith demonstrations at the town’s preserved blacksmith shop, a lumberjack show that will include three 30-minute shows, a spinning wheel demonstration, hazelnut shelling, books signings and a number of musical events, family reunions and prestigious guest speakers, who will be in attendance to spread their knowledge and expertise on Acadian culture.
One of the events that may stand out to people as a new event is the Lumberjack show, which according to Roy may end up being more of a lumberjill show, as she predicts many of the participants will be female, and will be showing off their lumberjill skills during the event’s three 30-minute shows that will begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 15.
“A group from southern Maine will be coming down to host this lumberjack event,” said Roy. “I really don’t know much about it, except that it’s a new event and it should be quite interesting.”
The events kick off on Aug. 3, with Queens Tea at the Village at 2 p.m.
The “Kids Kamp,” which will begin on Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. and will be running until Aug. 8. Also on Aug. 8, Maine author Francois Paradis will be signing copies of her most recent novel Evangeline at Book Nook from 1-5 p.m. On Aug. 12, Caribou native Loretta Blackstone will be signing copies of her book titled Barns of Aroostook from 9:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. Another author, Brenda Jackson will be signing copies of Families of the Upper St. John Valley in 1790 on Aug. 12, as well. Jackson will also be holding her book signing from 9:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
The night of Aug. 8 will close with a 4 p.m. Mass at the Village Chapel, where Fr. Jacques Lapointe will lead the congregation. At 5 p.m. there will be an Acadian meal at the Village’s Dining Hall and the musical group Les Chanteurs Acadiens will close out the night by playing some Acadian music at 6 p.m.
A number of family reunions will be taking place throughout the month of August and will include the Forest family ( 12 p.m. Aug. 10), the Guedry family (8 a.m. Aug. 16), the Madore family (12 p.m. Aug. 16), the Levesque family (12 p.m. Aug. 17), the Parent family (5 p.m. Aug. 22) and the St. Pierre family, which will take place on Aug. 23.
The Village will also be open for your touring pleasure from now through Sept. 15 from 12-5 p.m. seven days a week. The Village will accommodate tours of 10 people or more upon request.
