For the 55th edition of the Festival, there will be a series of new features at this year’s Tintamarre for the participants and spectators of this great parade.
Since its humble beginnings, the Tintamarre has continued to grow both in size and in the number of participants. There are now three starting points for the parade on Aug. 15: Meteghan, Salmon River and Saint Bernard. Hundreds of participants take part every year.
A unique feature to the Festival acadien de Clare’s Tintamarre is that it is divided into two parts: the driving Tintamarre and the walking Tintamarre. After the decorated vehicles join together in the parking lot behind the Club social de Clare, participants get out of their cars and continue celebrating by walking to the tent where the closing concert takes place. It is this part of the event, sponsored by A.F.Thériault and Son Ltd., that will feature some new changes.
For the very first time, the walking Tintamarre will take place in the street. Hwy 1 between Clayt’s Irving and la Bouquetière will be closed down for 15 minutes to allow the walking parade to go out into the street where there will be music and a media crew from CBC’s “C’est la Vie” that will be present to report on the event. The length of the parade will also be extended to go all the way to la Bouquetière and then turn back to end at the Club social de Clare. Participants will have more time to enjoy the Tintamarre and show off their Acadian pride and spirit.
Once the participants are inside the tent for the closing concert, the music starts and the party continues. The musicians featured at the closing concert, which is sponsored by the NSLC, are BeauPhare, JP LeBlanc and Lennie Gallant. There will also be performances by the dance troupe la Baie en Joie and the dancers from Helena’s Dance School. Tickets for the closing concert are on sale now at the four branches of the Caisse populaire de Clare and will also be available at the three starting points for the Tintamarre.
You can reach the Festival office at (902) 769-0832 anytime for more information. Festival acadien de Clare is proud to be Nova Scotia’s French Acadian “Signature” event that reunites Acadians and friends from here and throughout the world.
