New events added and favourites returning

ABRAM-VILLAGE – July 13, 2016 – Those who return every year to the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition in Abram-Village will be thrilled to learn that all their favourite activities are returning again this year. But those who prefer new events certainly won’t be disappointed either since organizers have introduced a number of new interesting facets to the Sept. 1-4 festivities.

The traditional host characters of Evangeline and Gabriel – played this year by Rose and Pierre Arsenault of Abram-Village – will happily greet the thousands of visitors and locals in attendance to celebrate the biggest Acadian party of the year. This year’s theme, “Sowing Our Acadian Pride”, touches firmly upon both the agricultural and cultural dimensions of the event.

Evangeline and Gabriel proudly announce that this year’s event will place special emphasis on youth. A number of activities, including bouncy games, children’s shows, competitions and various games, are geared specifically for this age group. To top things off, children will be admitted to the grounds free of charge both Friday and Saturday!

Children will be delighted to see the return of The Mustang Show (after an absence of several years). This popular horse, which has starred on countless TV shows and commercials, will present a series of tricks, acrobatics and mischief during four shows throughout the weekend, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Also featured throughout the weekend will be boot-throwing competitions and finals.

GOOD START

The program kicks off on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 1, with the all-ages Acazing Talent Competition, followed by a youth dance.

On Friday, Sept. 2, a wide variety of agricultural classes will be judged. Also featured will be culinary demonstrations, opening ceremonies, games for children with J.R. Richard from CJSE radio, a children’s show with Art Richard and the provincial finals of the youth talent competition.

Early in the evening, the Acadian Feast with Lobster will be hosted by Food Network chef and host Ann Olson. Later in the evening, a musicians’ jam will be held at the Acadian Musical Village. Next door in the Evangeline Recreation Centre, as part of the “Djâble dans l’corps” soirée, everyone will be able to enjoy an edition of “La Grange à Fidèle”, a musical variety show that was extremely popular a couple of decades ago in the local community.  Paul D. Gallant will return to host this first part of this evening. Next up, the ever-popular country-rock group The Saul Good Band will get everybody up and dancing.

SATURDAY

The judging of various classes, along with numerous competitions from the exhibition side of the event, will continue throughout the day Saturday, Sept. 3. A strong-woman competition will be held in late morning. At lunchtime, there will be a chef’s “Clammin ‘N’ Jammin” competition, followed by culinary demonstrations.

Gerard Arsenault and his fantastic pole-climbing show will once again amaze the crowds this year. This popular show will be presented in early afternoon Saturday and mid-afternoon Sunday.

Also featured Saturday afternoon will be: a bingo, a knitting contest, a concert by the Ross Family, a lobster-eating contest, a horse-pull, a mini-concert with the band Réveil and a pastry sale. After a lobster supper, an early-evening concert will feature the local youth band 112 Accords and invited guests from the Magdalen Islands.

The evening will wrap up in grand style with the famous Evangeline and Gabriel Dance, once again featuring the terrific sounds of New Brunswick’s Réveil.

SUNDAY

The final day of festivities, Sunday, Sept. 4, kicks off with a parade of boats and mass on the sea at the Cape Egmont Wharf at 9:30 a.m. The extremely popular festival parade will then entertain the crowds at 1 p.m.

Other featured events in the afternoon will include: a fiddling and stepdancing show, handcraft demonstrations, a lobster-eating contest, a cow-milking contest, a four-wheel pulling competition, the cow bingo and the viewing of photos and videos of past exhibitions in the arena.

In the evening, various prizes and awards will be presented; these include the Acadian of the Year Award and the Young Acadian of the Year Award. “Place aux jeunes artistes” will be the theme of the closing show.

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CUTLINE: Rose and Pierre Arsenault of Abram-Village take on the roles of Evangeline and Gabriel, the traditional Acadian hosts of the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival. This year’s event runs Sept. 1-4.

 

For more information:
Alcide Bernard
President
Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival
(902) 432-2425
expositionfestival@gmail.com