Planning now for the Wedgeport 250th anniversary in 2017

The Acadian community of Wedgeport in Yarmouth County, founded in 1767, celebrated its 200th anniversary in 1967 and its 225th in 1992 and now the Festival acadien de Wedgeport, which spearheaded the 1992 event, says it’s not too early to begin planning for the 250th which will be in 2017.

Three projects were discussed and accepted at a recent meeting; two are the publication of books and the third is the production of a CD of original songs. All to be done within the next five years.

The biggest project is the publication of a 400 page book, 8.5 X 11 inches format, about all the houses in Wedgeport from the oldest to the newest. A committee, in partnership with the Wedgeport Museum, has been established and is working on this.

Research, completed 15 years ago by the Argyle Historical Society on approximately 220 Wedgeport homes built up to 1914, has been put on computer for the book. Produced only in English, the work has to be translated which will take a considerable time. The book will be in French and English.

At the March 12, monthly meeting tasks will be assigned to do research at the Registry of Deeds in Yarmouth. As a first step the research done by the Argyle Historical Society will be updated. The committee members have praised the quality of the society’s work.

Pictures already taken by the Argyle Historical Society of the older houses will be used for the book. Pictures of the homes, built after 1914, will be taken during the summer of 2008. The book will also feature other pictures of the village.

Anyone wishing more information on the book can contact any of the committee members: Éloi Corporon, Elaine Thibeau, Claire Pothier, Bernadine Murphy, Donnie Jacquard, Blair Boudreau, Peter Boudreau, Judith Jacquard, Allison Cottreau, Gordon Pothier and Cyrille LeBlanc. More members will be added.



CD of original songs

Another project, which has also begun, is the production of a CD of original songs in French by Wedgeport citizens or people who are originally from this community.

A group of young adults, under 35 years old, have been discussing the project. Some funds has been requested. Plans are to produce the CD in 2008.

The third project is a book of short biographies of Wedgeport elder citizens researched by their own family members or friends. People are asked to interview their elders or to begin writing the biography of a family member, who has died, about their life of yesteryear. Interviews in Acadian French are welcomed. At a later date, probably in 2009, a committee will be struck and meetings held for this project.

Other ideas

Anyone with anniversary celebration or commemorative ideas is welcomed to contact the coordinator and secretary of the festival, Cyrille LeBlanc.

For the 225th anniversary event the Festival acadien de Wedgeport had established a committee solely devoted to the celebrations. The same is being considered for the 250th.