After a jam-packed summer of activities, Louisbourg 300’s year-long celebrations continue this month with food, music, tours and more.
Saturday, September 21 is LouisRocks! Founders’ Feast, an exclusive culinary event hosted by the guest chef Joel Boyer within the walls of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. Sit down to an impressive feast made with local ingredients and paired perfectly with select wines. This special dinner is followed by a musical tribute to women with a concert in the chapel featuring Dawn & Margie Beaton, Go Baroque, Nicole LeBlanc, Michelle Deveau, Shauntay Grant and We’koqua’qewiska. Tickets are available online.
As a special treat during Louisbourg 300 celebrations, the Fortress of Louisbourg is pleased to welcome Nancy Chiasson as Artist in Residence. Chiasson is an interdisciplinary artist living on Cape Breton Island. She works in two mediums: paper (fibre) and clay (ceramics). Her paper collages have been called beautiful and magical. During her residency, she is sculpting the Louisbourg Frederic Gate, along with various other creations. Chiasson’s artwork can be viewed online at nancychiasson.com and facebook or in person at the Fortress of Louisbourg in Chevalier House.
A special legacy project of the Louisbourg 300 celebrations is the DeGannes Gardens Project. Parks Canada is working with Cape Breton Family Place Resource Centre and other community partners to offer gardening space and staff expertise to help families learn more about gardening, including the nutritional benefits as well as the physical, mental and social benefits of being outside together working as a family. Friday, September 27 will mark the official opening ceremony for this special project with the DeGannes Garden Party. The event will take place at Family Place, 714 Alexandra Street, Sydney, from 1pm to 4pm. Some of the activities include the sharing of the DeGannes family children’s story and a seed-saving Workshop for the whole family to enjoy.
Or if you’d prefer, take the opportunity to get HAMMERed in Louisbourg. The third annual Hammer-In is scheduled for Saturday, September 28. Meet blacksmiths and enjoy demonstrations with artist Ruben Irons. A hammer-in gives blacksmiths an opportunity to further their skills using various 18th to 21st century tools and techniques. Participants get a chance to practice with the help of more experienced blacksmith.
Fortress Louisbourg also offers a number of daily activities including:
Time Travel: 10:45am, 11:45am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm – Meet fascinating characters from the past who will tell their stories of Louisbourg and offer a taste of their favourite drink from the last 300 years – hot chocolate. Duration: 1.5 hours Per person: $7.30
Guided Tours: 11am, 1pm, 3pm – An expert guide will take you around the fortress sharing his or her knowledge with you. Some of the stories you hear may surprise you. Duration: 1 hour Per person: $2.40
The Fortress is open daily until October 14 from 9:30am to 5pm. Park fees are $7.30 Adult (17-64); $6.05 Senior (65+); $3.65 Youth (6-16); $18.10 Family/Group (*up to 7 people, with a maximum of 2 adults). Children 5 and under are admitted free. For more information, visit louisbourg300.ca.
