News Release

QUEBEC CITY (CNB) - New Brunswick will ensure an Acadian presence at Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations on Friday, Aug. 15, National Acadian Day.

Beginning at 10 a.m., New Brunswick representatives will welcome visitors to the Francodôme, an imposing geodesic structure that will be set up in the Parc de l'Esplanade in Old Quebec.

"We are organizing a day filled with festive activities that will showcase our province's vitality and innovative spirit, our Acadian colours, and the many assets of our magnificent part of the country," said Premier Shawn Graham.

The Francodôme will feature performers Jean-François Breau, Pascal Lejeune, Danny Boudreau, Mélanie LeBlanc, pAn, Jac Gautreau and Annie Blanchard.

There will also be exhibits of visual art by Joël Boudreau, Anne-Marie Sirois, Jolène Dubé, Richard Flynn, and Nicole Haché. Mélanie Léger, Lou Poirier and Anika Lirette of Théâtre Alacenne will also be on hand.

A concept by Jac Gautreau will allow visitors to discover different aspects of New Brunswick related to tourism, innovations, and local products.

Innovative products by Alpack and Tee box, both from Moncton; Pelletier Équipement from Lac Baker in Madawaska County; Eco Technologie from Caraquet; and Tire Recycling Canada from Minto will also be exhibited.

During the event, visitors may try New Brunswick's local products, including specially prepared seafood items, with hors d'œuvres served by representatives of the Atlantic Centre of Excellence in Tourism (CETA) at the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick - Edmundston campus.

The cities of Moncton, Miramichi, Bathurst, and Edmundston will join representatives of the Department of Tourism and Parks to highlight the province's major attractions. Representatives of the 2009 World Acadian Congress, which will be held in the Acadian Peninsula, will also be on hand to distribute information and invite people to travel to that part of the province next year.

There will also be a New Brunswick multi-media experience until 4 p.m.

During the day, visitors who want to be made up for the large tintamarre can take advantage of the services offered on site. A team will be present to get people ready for the huge tintamarre that will begin at 4 p.m. at the corner of D'Auteuil and St-Louis streets. Tickets will also be available for the show La belle rencontre Acadie-Québec…tant d'histoires à raconter.

"New Brunswick will definitely leave an impression," the Premier added. "We will invite all our visitors to come to New Brunswick in August 2009 for the event of the year and to experience the legendary hospitality of Acadians."