The “Tintamarre” had hundreds marching down Main Street in Yarmouth Thursday evening.
Hundreds marching down Main St in Yarmouth. Photo: Kevin Northup/Acadia Broadcasting
It’s National Acadien Day, the sixth day of the World Acadien Congress.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in town and joined in the events.
Photo: Kevin Northup/Acadia Broadcasting
He tells our newsroom it is a great celebration.
”What a great moment for communities to come together obviously to celebrate Acadian pride but also to celebrate summer and life and everything we are doing as a community.”
Also joining in the festivities is leader of the federal Conservative Party, Pierre Polievre.
Photo: Kevin Northup/Acadia Broadcasting
Polievre tells us is very humbled to be party of it.
”It’s an amazing opportunity to celebrate the determination of the Acadian people to survive and preserve their culture, their stories, their faith, their families and to continue to exist as a proud part of the Canadian story.”
Acadian cultural vendors from across the world filled the Mariners centre Thursday afternoon for the trade expo.
Wilbert Carmouche from Louisiana said he loves it here.
“People were so friendly and so nice and so helpful. I had a little malfunction with my booth and they were on the spot helping,” said Carmouche.
“It’s been a wonderful experience here.”
While he was there to celebrate National Acadian Day with people from “our roots,” he said, he also wanted to invite others to Louisiana for a festival in 2025.
The Congres Mondial Acadien’s official ‘Tintamarre’ is about to happen in Yarmouth. Hundreds are expected to take part through Main Street as part of National Acadian Day celebrations. pic.twitter.com/7O4uYy9Yl4
— Kevin Northup (@KevinNorthup) August 15, 2024
Neil MacKenzie, executive director of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, said this event is huge for the region, bringing in people from Acadian regions both national and international.
“We’re going to be having obviously a fantastic August and a great year in general,” said MacKenzie.
He said it’s too early to know official numbers for the economic impact of the event.
MacKenzie also had a booth at the trade expo, where he spoke to a lot of people from Lousiana and said it’s great to talk to so many people from different regions.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with a group of people in Yarmouth on Aug. 15, 2024. (Kevin Northup/Acadia Broadcasting)
They’re expecting a massive turnout tonight at the free Acadian Day concert at the Yarmouth airport.
Officials expect 6,000 people to attend.
