Madawaska has seen its share of controversy, such
as the battle between the US & British Canada over the
border, which finally determined the St. John River as
the dividing line in the famous Ashburn / Webster Treaty
of 1842. It is in 1978 when the Maine State legislature
declared June 28, “Maine Acadian Day” in the State of
Maine, since June 28 was believed to have been the date
the first Acadian settlers stepped foot in Madawaska. At
that moment, the Acadian Festival was born. The festival
has been celebrated surrounding the June 28th anniversary
for the last 33 years and has been the quintessential host of
numerous family reunions such as the Daigle, Cyr, Hebert,
Dufour, Thibodeau, Ayotte, Fournier, Mercure, Portier,
Duperre, Sanfacon, Pelletier, Plourde, Ouellette, Paradis,
Bouchard, Sirois, Cote, Theriault, Roy, Chasse, Levesque,
Dube, Nadeau, Dumond, Deschaine, Picard, Martin,
Michaud, Gendreau, Dionne, Caron, Lagasse, Guerrette,
Marquis and Gagnon, celebrating the founding families. In
2008, a special committee of town residents and other local
communities, merged with their Canadian counterparts
across the border in Edmundston, NB and Témiscouata
Québec, to apply as host for the 5th World Acadian
Congress of 2014. They were in the running against strong
contenders such as Louisiana, and Quebec City. During the
2009 World Acadian Congress in Caraquet, NB., Northern
Aroostook along with North Western New Brunswick &
Bas St-Laurent, Quebec also known as “L’Acadie des Terres
et Forets” “Acadia of the Lands & Forests” were declared the
next host of the 2014 World Acadian Congress.
For this reason, the 2011 Acadian Festival
Committee has relocated the festival to its new home
surrounding the International Acadian Day of August
15th. This year marks the 34th Acadian Festival and for the
second revision, the Cyr Family Reunion is honored. The
2011 theme chosen by the committee signifies the Acadian
bond they share with their Canadian neighbors, “À travers
les frontières / Beyond Borders”, speaks volumes as for the
aspirations this small community has, which bares witness
to its proud heritage. The 34th Acadian Festival takes place
from August 11 to the 15th, 2011.