Kennetcook Homecoming embodies true community spirit

BY FRED LAWRENCE

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

On Saturday, June 30, the first 84th Regiment Annual Homecoming brought the history of the East Hants community of Kennecook to life during a weekend re-enactment of military life during the 18th century and the settlement of the town.

Her Honour, The Honourable Mayann Francis, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, was joined by Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison, East Hants MLA John MacDonnell, and East Hants Warden John Patterson for the morning opening ceremony, when about 200 people gathered for the event.

Dignitaries thanked volunteers for their efforts and talked about how community development and sustainability are evident through ventures such as the Annual Homecoming.

Francis said in an interview that the Homecoming Weekend “is great for the community. There are many spin-offs, but most importantly it shows creativity and that spirit is key to keeping the community alive.”

Her Honour said when she was nominated to the post of Lt. Governor, she made visiting small provincial communities a priority. “When I go into a community, no matter how small or large, the true Nova Scotia spirit is always there and it's very important that I go to as many communities as possible to try and promote the good work being done to help sustain the future of our rural way of life,” she said.

Despite her very busy Canada Day weekend schedule of appearances, Francis said she was “very glad to be here to give something back to the community, and it's a call to service I am proud to make.”

Original descendants

Patterson said many of the people in attendance, including the Battalion Regiment re-enactment members, were original descendants of the soldiers who settled the town during the American Revolutionary War.

“This shows the strength of this community and its commitment not only to its colourful past, but of its future. The year, our 140th year of Confederation, is a turning point for our community,” the Warden said.

“A lot of very hard work went into this event and it's time to turn this community around and concentrate on the many things we can do by working together. There’s no side-stepping our history; these people are the sons and daughters of the original 84th Battalion and when you talk about economic development, it's this kind of resource we need to concentrate on.”

Project coordinator for East Hants Jackie Parker said the organization is working currently on a business plan that “links the culture and heritage of Kennetcook and area with new and innovative approaches to business development while creating rural infrastructure for recreation and tourism.” “We've been working on this project since March starting at The Place Near and Far Art Gallery and it went from there. I think it has been a great success; people are happy and many have traveled from all over the place to get here. The community really came together to make it all happen,” she said.

A project is currently in motion to construct a replica of a covered wooden bridge that once crossed the river, Parker said.

An area across the Kennetcook River was set up with canvas tents as part of the re-enactment while a heritage farm machinery show was in full swing nearby. Visitors toured the Art Gallery and military compound and attended numerous other events throughout the day.

K: Sidebar

A brief history

The first settlers of Kennetcook were members of the disbanded 84th regiment. Few of these members stayed in the community after their service was over: many went to Halifax for other commissions and many went to neighbouring communities for work. Those who remained worked the land and helped to establish the community.

What is the 84th Regiment of Foot 2nd Battalion Regimental Association?

The group is made up of volunteers who work as a non-profit organization to research and preserve the authentic recreation of the Highland military regiment camp as it was in Nova Scotia during the American Revolutionary War of 1775-1783. Association members, through re-enactments complete with authentic re-created uniforms (many hand made by members), help to preserve a forgotten way of life that helped to forge small communities throughout the province.