Tent Dwellers hosting weekend canoe festival

“People tend to focus on the fishing aspect of the book, but really, Albert and Eddie could not have gone into ‘the edge of the unknown’ without their guides and their canoes,” Jonathan Sheppard, chair of The Tent Dwellers Festival Planning Committee remarked.

A full slate of demonstrations, exhibits and programming is scheduled for the weekend event. The Festival officially opens Friday evening with a brief ceremony followed by an evening program filled with original music and stories inspired by the book.

Saturday and Sunday see the parking lots at Merrymakedge bustling with a Mi’kmaw craft fair, traditional canoe displays, demonstrations of paddle and basket making, and canoe building. Canoe Kayak Nova Scotia will be holding Canoe Games and Demonstrations on Merrymakedge Beach on Saturday while Scott’s Timber Show is sure to delight audiences on Sunday with their taste of the great traveling guides’ shows. Following a concert given by The Wilderbeats, renowned guiding historian Mike Parker will deliver a presentation Saturday evening. Before turning in for the night, the public is also invited to participate in a full-moon guided paddle.

While the entire route is not for the faint of heart, Keji is organizing a canoe flotilla on Sunday morning that will retrace the first part of the original journey, from Jakes Landing to Jim Charles Point. An aerial photograph will be taken of the group who will later refuel at the Guide’s Campfire at Kedge Beach with some tea and biscuits. Celebrated Old Man Leudecke will close the festival with an outdoor concert on Sunday night.

A detailed itinerary can be found on the festival website, www.tentdwellers2008.com. One can also call 902-350-1753 for more information.

There is no special charge for the canoe festival; attendees will only incur the standard personal use fees. Camping reservations are strongly recommended, however, as the National Park expects to be full. Spots can be reserved by going to www.pccamping.ca or by calling 1-877-737-3783. A Reservation fee will apply but will guarantee you a camping spot.

The Tent Dwellers Centennial Festival 2008 celebrates the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Tent Dwellers and will continue until October. This joint effort of Parks Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Region of Queens, the County of Annapolis, the Friends of Keji and Milford House seeks to increase visitation to the interior of Southwest Nova Scotia and promote the wilderness experience through active participation in outdoor activities or through arts and culture.