Célébrez: Acadian national holiday celebrated across province

The Acadian flag flew across New Brunswick on Wednesday as thousands of people feasted, danced and marched in parades, making as much noise as possible.

Celebrations for National Acadian Day, also known as Quinze-Août, were held in communities from Moncton to Fredericton to Caraquet and points beyond.

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"​The Acadian people of the province, they're trying to keep what they have as their culture and their identity," said Philippe Chiasson, president of the Festival Acadien de Caraquet.

"They're proud of it."

In places like Caraquet on the Acadian Peninsula, residents have been celebrating Acadian "joie de vivre" for almost two weeks with live music, large gatherings and red, white, blue and gold decor.

Time to get loud

Just before 6 p.m. Wednesday, the community celebrated its annual Grand Tintamarre. Throngs of people filled Main Street holding pots, bells, spoons, whistles — anything that makes noise.

Typically, about 17,000 people take part in the parade — more than four times the town's population. In some years, attendance has approached 50,000.

"It's like an uproar," said Chiasson. "People are proud of their culture and their heritage."

It takes close to 200 volunteers, ranging in age from 12 to 87, to make the festival run smoothly, he said. One hundred artists are taking part in this year's festival — down from 150 last year. And restaurants, hotels and campgrounds in the area are filled to capacity.

"It's just great for the economic development of the region … it extends out to the whole peninsula." he said.

"You don't have to be French to live Acadia."

In Bouctouche, thousands celebrated by waving flags and making as much noise as they could to celebrate. Many yelled, 'bonne fete' as they walked in the parade.

Michelle Staught came all the way from Delaware with her family. Her mother's family is originally Acadian from Shediac.

She said she was always very curious about the culture and did a lot of research about it.

'It's surreal being here because I've only ever seen these in books and pictures so it's really weird to be here but also very cool.'

Elise Landry has been taking part for ten years but was excited this year that it was her granddaughter's first time.

'We're Landrys so when we say we're dressing Acadian they know it's a big deal and I hope they continue with the tradition. They have to.'

A 'big family party'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honoured Acadian culture with a statement saying Acadians played an important part in shaping Canada's history and identity.

"Among the first French settlers in North America, the Acadians were the victims of persecution for centuries," Trudeau said.

"But in the face of deportation, exile, and oppression, they showed resilience, courage, and determination. Against great odds, Acadians worked together to defend their culture, promote their language, and build prosperous communities."

From the Acadian Peninsula all the way to the southern part of the province, residents will be celebrating and sporting their red, white, blue and gold to show pride in their culture.

In Moncton, the Festival Acadie Rock began Sunday and continues to Aug. 18, with a variety of music and other performing arts, and visual arts.

In Saint John, the Acadian flag will be raised in front of City Hall at noon, and the New Brunswick Museum is offering free admission for traditional Acadian treats, music and interpretive tours.

Residents of Fredericton will also be celebrating National Acadian Day

"It's a day where we show how proud we are of being Acadian, how proud we are of still being here," said Raphael Moore, executive director of the Centre communautaire Sainte-Anne.

Moore said the celebrations are also about feeling included and including others in the festivities going on across the province.

"It's a day where we celebrate who we are," he said. "Today is the perfect day to have a big family party."

Moore said there are at least 10,000 French-speaking people in the greater Fredericton area — and at least 75 per cent of them are Acadian.

"It's a big community and it's getting bigger," he said.