MADAWASKA, Maine – Madawaska’s Acadian Festival, one of the region’s largest summer events, is less than two weeks away and set to feature a massive Acadian star sculpture built out of the former international bridge among its new additions.
The star sculpture project was first pitched by Grand Isle Artist Dan Cayer last year.
The Acadian star is a significant symbol for not just Madawaska, but for northern Aroostook and beyond. It dates back to 1884, and was used by early French settlers to signify both their connection to France and that their culture was unique with its own traditions.
Being built out of a structure that connected the United States and Canada, it both literally and figuratively represents a connection between the two countries. Cayer said earlier this year that the star’s shape also evokes the image of outstretched arms welcoming Acadians to the country.
The project was completed last month by students at the St. John Valley Technology Center in the neighboring town of Frenchville.
The star will be dedicated on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 5 p.m. at the Parc de la Traverse on Main Street, according to the event brochure.
The festival this year will also bring back its historical guided bus tour, set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14. This will be hosted by Ken Theriault, historian and Madawaska Public Library director.
The bus tour will begin at the town’s multi-purpose building and stop at the Acadian Landing, the Grand Isle historical site, the Van Buren Acadian Village for lunch, and then at the musee culturel du Mont Carmel in Lille on the way back to Madawaska. Tickets for the tour are $25 and can be purchased through the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The festival also will feature new additions to its Family Fun Day, set for Aug. 15 at Multi-Purpose building including a zip line, a rock wall, dunking booth, foam party, and a petting zoo.
The multi-day festivities will culminate in a parade on August 16 on Main Street. Acadian Festival Committee chairperson Danielle Hebert said several have already signed up to participate in the annual parade.
The Acadian Festival Committee is made up of just eight people. They spend the better part of a year planning each event.
“We do have volunteers who help us throughout the festival,” said Hebert. “We are very thankful for their help as we couldn’t do this all on our own.”
This year’s festival will be the 48th, and organizers have already started talking about the 50th festival.
“There is nothing set in stone yet, but we do plan to make it as special as we can,” Hebert said. “It’s quite a milestone and we want to make sure it’s celebrated.”
