Grand-Pré Will Be A Happening Place Again This Summer

Grand-Pré Will Be A Happening Place Again This Summer
By Wendy Elliott

This summer visitors will be able to discover the Landscape of Grand-Pré World Heritage Site through a wide-ranging experiential program. Tourists and locals alike can participate in guided visits of Grand-Pré National Historic Site, followed by wine tasting at Domaine de Grand Pré. They’ll be able listen to the stories of the spirits of Grand-Pré at night and enjoy musical Sundays. Peace circles will also take place on Sunday and stone painting and Mi’kmaw storytelling will be offered to children on Mondays.

The Société Promotion Grand-Pré is pleased to launch its cultural experiential program for this upcoming summer. “After very successful 2017 and 2018 summer seasons, the Société Promotion Grand-Pré will be offering a new diversified program to visitors at Grand-Pré National Historic Site this summer,” said society president Gérald C. Boudreau.

Since early May, creative director Anika Lirette has been working with a team of interpreters to prepare a variety of authentic cultural experiences. Programming will be offered to visitors until September 19. This year the team of nine includes Jeremy Novak, who as Jerome the Gravekeeper will lead Valley Ghost Walks through the park in an experience termed Spirits of the Night. Wolfville actor Alan Slipp is returning for the third summer to perform as poet and park founder John Frederic Herbin. Port Williams native Michaela Rafuse, who is studying music at Memorial University, will be sharing her passion for the fiddle. Other musicians will include Richard Laurin and Guyaume Boulianne. Kayla Mansfield-Brown and Tammy Mudge will represent the local Indigenous community. They will lead the Peace Circles and take part in other events.

Guided tours led by historical characters are scheduled during daylight hours, while the Spirits of Night will take place at 8:30pm July 5, August 2, 30 and September 13. Admission to the park is free on July 1. The second Landscape of Cultures Festival, a multicultural event for the whole family, will take place from July 19 to 21.

For more information, visit the society’s website at: experiencegrandpre.ca

Photo: Creative director Anika Lirette, who calls Moncton home, spends her summers at Grand-Pré bringing Acadian culture to life.