Egmont Bay and Mont-Carmel Bicentennial to be celebrated with more than 20 events in August

MONT-CARMEL, PEI – June 28, 2012 – The official launching of a history book about the parishes of Egmont Bay and Mont-Carmel, the unveiling of a plaque, commemorative masses, dances, various concerts and guided tours – all of these events and many more will take place Aug. 10-19 to help mark the official bicentennial summer celebrations of these two neighboring parishes.

Proud of its efforts, the Bicentennial Committee has just officially launched its August program of events, which features about 20 activities designed to satisfy all tastes and ages. The objective of this program, of course, is to mark the arrival of the founders of these two communities in 1812 and to celebrate their contributions.

“Originally known under the names of La Roche and Le Grand Ruisseau, these two communities are extremely rich in history and heritage. We therefore believe that we must absolutely celebrate this beautiful legacy of co-operation, perseverance and cultural pride that the pioneers of our two communities have left us,” said committee co-chair Aldine Richard, representing Mont-Carmel.

“We are therefore extremely proud to invite all residents of these communities, all former residents, all our neighbors, all our friends and all visitors to the region to join in the festivities,” adds committee co-chair Marcel Bernard, representing Egmont Bay.

The two co-chairs are pleased to announce that Évangéline-Central Credit Union is the official sponsor of the celebrations. It was with great pleasure, during the official launching, that they shared the program of August events with general manager Alfred Arsenault.

EVENTS

The official program of events kicks off Friday, Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mont-Carmel Parish Hall with a wine-and-cheese reception to celebrate the launching of the new book “La Roche et Grand Ruisseau”, written by local author-historian Georges Arsenault at the request of the committee.

The following day, Saturday, Aug. 11, a commemorative mass will be celebrated at Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel Church at 7 p.m., followed by the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to the founders. The celebration continues at 9:30 p.m. with a dance, featuring the lively music of Danny and the Boys, at the parish hall.

On Sunday, Aug. 12, a commemorative mass will be celebrated at St. Philippe and St. Jacques Church in Egmont Bay at 9 a.m. In the evening, beginning at 7 p.m., a variety show will be held at the Mont-Carmel Parish Hall.

A Seniors’ Day will begin Monday, Aug. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion in Wellington. On Tuesday, Aug. 14, historian Georges Arsenault will present a lecture entitled “It was in the newspaper: news from Mont-Carmel and Egmont Bay”, in French, at the Acadian Museum in Miscouche, at 7:30 p.m.

The dinner-theatre “V’nez veiller” will be performed that Tuesday night, August 14, as well as on Thursday night, Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Centre Expo-Festival in Abram-Village.

On Wednesday, Aug. 15, the Bicentennial celebrations will merge with the official provincial festivities of the National Acadian Holiday, organized jointly with the Conseil scolaire-communautaire Évangéline, at the Evangeline Recreation Centre in Abram-Village. The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. with a tintamarre (or traditional noise parade), followed by the raising of the Acadian flag, official speeches and a colorful concert.

In the morning and afternoon of Friday, Aug. 17, guided tours of local tourist attractions will be conducted. The Bicentennial Banquet will be held at 6 p.m. at the Centre Expo-Festival. That same evening, a mega youth activity will be held outside the center from 6:30-9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m., cribbage games will be held at Vanier Centre in Wellington and whist and dart games will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Wellington. At 9:30 p.m., a dance featuring the music of Big River and Tradition will be held at the Centre Expo-Festival.

The August celebrations will wrap up Sunday at 9 a.m. with a closing mass at St. Philippe and St. Jacques Church and a closing concert at 7 p.m. at the Centre Expo-Festival.

For more details, consult the Evangeline area’s tourism web site at www.regionevangeline.com.

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CUTLINE: The co-chairs of the Egmont Bay and Mont-Carmel Bicentennial Committee, Aldine Richard and Marcel Bernard, in traditional Acadian period costumes, chat about the August festivities with Alfred Arsenault, general manager of the Évangéline-Central Credit Union, the celebrations’ official sponsor.

For more information:

Aldine Richard
Co-chair Bicentennial Committee
Mont-Carmel
(902) 854-2403
whitehairedhen@hotmail.com

Marcel Bernard
Co-chair Bicentennial Committee
Egmont Bay
(902) 854-2189
jmbernard@hotmail.com

Germain Arsenault
Bicentennial Co-ordinator
(902) 854-4132
bicentenaire2012@gmail.com