PIONEER FESTIVAL
Chef Michael Smith
Roy Johnstone
Georges Arsenault
Monday, August 22
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
Daily Admission
Adults: $8
Childrenn 6-18: $5
Children under 6: Free
Heritage Lunch: $10
Roma baked bread & homemade ginger cookies: sold daily
Adults: $8
Childrenn 6-18: $5
Children under 6: Free
Heritage Lunch: $10
Roma baked bread & homemade ginger cookies: sold daily
Roma Pioneer Festival
A Rare Look at Life in 1730s Île Saint-Jean
A Rare Look at Life in 1730s Île Saint-Jean
It is not every day you can take part in a day in the life of the hard working pioneers of Île Saint-Jean (the French colonial name for Prince Edward Island) in the 1730s. But you can enjoy this fascinating experience during the Roma Pioneer Festival August 20-22 at the Roma National Historic Site located at 505 Roma Point Road in the heart of Kings County's Three Rivers area.
Set against the backdrop of one of the Island's most picturesque coastal panoramas, the Roma site includes buildings, trails, gardens, costumes and many work and leisure activities from the French colonial era that are available for enjoyment every day throughout the summer. But Roma's first ever Pioneer Festival brings together the widest range of presentations, demonstrations, and experiences on the real life of Roma's inhabitants to date.
This is an event for the whole family and an experience not to be missed in this summer's cultural tourism itinerary. As already proven by Roma's highly popular Schools Program, kids will delight in the Roma Pioneer Festival. This fall the schools will be full of chatter of what it was like to get up close to the traditional cod fishery, blacksmithing, tree stumping, and demonstrations of labourers using the two-man saw. The kids will have fond memories of playing with authentic toys, trying on costumes from the 18th century, and bantering with the costumed Roma workers and officials.
Pricing for the Festival is very family friendly. Daily admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids and young people age 6 to 18. Kids under age 6 are admitted free of charge.
And then there is the food. Chef Michael Smith will do bread making in the traditional oven on one day and Jean Pierre Roma himself will do the bread making honours on another. Throughout the three days of the Festival, the role of Roma will be performed by Robert Pendergast, a well known Island Acadian musician, cook and personality.
For every day of the Festival, the Roma Heritage Lunch, including a refreshing tea made with herbs from the Roma Heritage Garden, will be served at a cost of $10 each. A special presentation, in conjunction with the Louisbourg National Historic Site, on chocolate making from the era will get lips smacking for sure.
Participants will enjoy the music and song of Ian and Diane Farr, Roy Johnstone, and Jock Beck, and take in the dance presentation of Marie LaVergne.
French language, culture and entertainment will be featured throughout the Festival. Many of the presentations will be offered in both French and English. There will be plenty of opportunity for history buffs including session on genealogy, archaeology, and a specific look at 'a day in the life' of the Roma pioneers.
Presenters include Dr. Ed MacDonald, Elizabeth LeLacheur, and Georges Arsenault. There will be a special guest appearance by French genealogy expert Dr. Stephen White from the University of Moncton.
Plan to come to Roma August 20-22 for an experience you and your family will never forget.
Set against the backdrop of one of the Island's most picturesque coastal panoramas, the Roma site includes buildings, trails, gardens, costumes and many work and leisure activities from the French colonial era that are available for enjoyment every day throughout the summer. But Roma's first ever Pioneer Festival brings together the widest range of presentations, demonstrations, and experiences on the real life of Roma's inhabitants to date.
This is an event for the whole family and an experience not to be missed in this summer's cultural tourism itinerary. As already proven by Roma's highly popular Schools Program, kids will delight in the Roma Pioneer Festival. This fall the schools will be full of chatter of what it was like to get up close to the traditional cod fishery, blacksmithing, tree stumping, and demonstrations of labourers using the two-man saw. The kids will have fond memories of playing with authentic toys, trying on costumes from the 18th century, and bantering with the costumed Roma workers and officials.
Pricing for the Festival is very family friendly. Daily admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids and young people age 6 to 18. Kids under age 6 are admitted free of charge.
And then there is the food. Chef Michael Smith will do bread making in the traditional oven on one day and Jean Pierre Roma himself will do the bread making honours on another. Throughout the three days of the Festival, the role of Roma will be performed by Robert Pendergast, a well known Island Acadian musician, cook and personality.
For every day of the Festival, the Roma Heritage Lunch, including a refreshing tea made with herbs from the Roma Heritage Garden, will be served at a cost of $10 each. A special presentation, in conjunction with the Louisbourg National Historic Site, on chocolate making from the era will get lips smacking for sure.
Participants will enjoy the music and song of Ian and Diane Farr, Roy Johnstone, and Jock Beck, and take in the dance presentation of Marie LaVergne.
French language, culture and entertainment will be featured throughout the Festival. Many of the presentations will be offered in both French and English. There will be plenty of opportunity for history buffs including session on genealogy, archaeology, and a specific look at 'a day in the life' of the Roma pioneers.
Presenters include Dr. Ed MacDonald, Elizabeth LeLacheur, and Georges Arsenault. There will be a special guest appearance by French genealogy expert Dr. Stephen White from the University of Moncton.
Plan to come to Roma August 20-22 for an experience you and your family will never forget.
Welcome from Jean-Pierre Roma
(Robert Pendergast)
(Robert Pendergast)
11:00-11:45 A Day in a Child's Life: 1730s - Elizabeth LeLacheur (deck) Eng.
11:45 -12:30 Fiddler: Roy Johnstone & song: Ian & Diane Farr (deck) Eng. & Fre.
11:45-12:30 -- La pêcherie de morue : les années 1730- Matthieu McConnell-Morin & Adam Beck (front grounds) Fre.
12:30 Heritage Lunch starts
12:30- 2:30 - Bread-making with Chef Michael Smith (le pavillon) Eng.
3:00-3:30 - Opening Ceremonies (new cairn) Frank Lewis - Lieutenant Governor of PEI
M. Dubuisson (Gordon Cobb) & M. Roma
Jock Beck - musician
3:30 - 4:15 - Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre
.
4:00 - 4:45 - The Acadians on Ile-Saint-Jean prior to 1758 and their Expulsion - Dr. Stephen White (le pavillon) Eng.
4:15 - 5:00 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck
5:00-5:45 -Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg presenters (le pavillon)Fr. & Eng.
11:45 -12:30 Fiddler: Roy Johnstone & song: Ian & Diane Farr (deck) Eng. & Fre.
11:45-12:30 -- La pêcherie de morue : les années 1730- Matthieu McConnell-Morin & Adam Beck (front grounds) Fre.
12:30 Heritage Lunch starts
12:30- 2:30 - Bread-making with Chef Michael Smith (le pavillon) Eng.
3:00-3:30 - Opening Ceremonies (new cairn) Frank Lewis - Lieutenant Governor of PEI
M. Dubuisson (Gordon Cobb) & M. Roma
Jock Beck - musician
3:30 - 4:15 - Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre
.
4:00 - 4:45 - The Acadians on Ile-Saint-Jean prior to 1758 and their Expulsion - Dr. Stephen White (le pavillon) Eng.
4:15 - 5:00 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck
5:00-5:45 -Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg presenters (le pavillon)Fr. & Eng.
Ongoing Activities
Blacksmithing -Demonstration activity - Clayton Lavoie (grounds)
Drop Spindle - Demonstration activity -
Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes - Interactive activity (le pavillon)
Trail & Garden Tours
Blacksmithing -Demonstration activity - Clayton Lavoie (grounds)
Drop Spindle - Demonstration activity -
Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes - Interactive activity (le pavillon)
Trail & Garden Tours
Welcome from Jean-Pierre Roma
(Robert Pendergast)
(Robert Pendergast)
11:00 - 11:30 - Strolling musicians avec les chansons françaises: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr Fre.
11:30-12:15 - Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et Dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre.
12:00 - Heritage Lunch starts
12:30- 1:15 - Bread-making with Robert Pendergast (le pavillon) Fre. &Eng.
1:00 - 1:30 Fiddler: Roy Johnstone & song: Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck (deck) Eng & Fre.
1:30- 2:15 - Le retour des Acadiens à l'île Saint-Jean - Dr. Stephen White (le pavillon) Fre.
2:15 - 3:00 Une journée dans la vie d'un enfant: les années 1730 - Gail McAleer
(deck) Fre.
2:15 -3:00 -Tree Stumping - Thane LeLacheur
Two man-saw -David Wisener
(front grounds) Eng.
3:00 - 3:45 - Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg Presenters (le pavillon) Fr. & Eng.
3:45-4:30 - The 1700s Cod Fishery - Thane LeLacheur (front grounds) Eng.
4:30 - 5:00 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck
Fre. &Eng.
11:30-12:15 - Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et Dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre.
12:00 - Heritage Lunch starts
12:30- 1:15 - Bread-making with Robert Pendergast (le pavillon) Fre. &Eng.
1:00 - 1:30 Fiddler: Roy Johnstone & song: Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck (deck) Eng & Fre.
1:30- 2:15 - Le retour des Acadiens à l'île Saint-Jean - Dr. Stephen White (le pavillon) Fre.
2:15 - 3:00 Une journée dans la vie d'un enfant: les années 1730 - Gail McAleer
(deck) Fre.
2:15 -3:00 -Tree Stumping - Thane LeLacheur
Two man-saw -David Wisener
(front grounds) Eng.
3:00 - 3:45 - Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg Presenters (le pavillon) Fr. & Eng.
3:45-4:30 - The 1700s Cod Fishery - Thane LeLacheur (front grounds) Eng.
4:30 - 5:00 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck
Fre. &Eng.
Ongoing Activities
Blacksmithing - Clayton Lavoie
Quill Pens & Calligraphy Demonstration- Kathryn Doughart, Joan Perrin
(Heritage Room)
Drop Spindle Demonstration - Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes -(le pavillon)
Trail / Garden Tours
Blacksmithing - Clayton Lavoie
Quill Pens & Calligraphy Demonstration- Kathryn Doughart, Joan Perrin
(Heritage Room)
Drop Spindle Demonstration - Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes -(le pavillon)
Trail / Garden Tours
Welcome from Jean-Pierre Roma
(Robert Pendergast)
(Robert Pendergast)
11:00 - 11:30 Traditional Acadian Dancing Music - Georges Arsenault (le pavillon) Eng.
11:00-11:45 Artifacts Show & Tell and Walkabout -Gordon Carr (Heritage Room) Eng.
11:15 - 12:00 The 1700s Cod Fishery - Thane LeLacheur (front grounds) Eng.
12:00 Heritage Lunch begins
12:00-12:30 Fiddler - Roy Johnstone & song, Ian & Diane , Jock Beck (deck) Eng & Fre
12:15 - 1:00 - Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg Presenters (le pavillon) Fr. & Eng.
1:00-1:45 - La musique de danse acadienne traditionnelle - Georges Arsenault (deck) Fre.
1:45-2:30 -- Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et Dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre.
2:30 -3:15 - Three Ships and Three Small Boys: Tales of Three Rivers Over A Thousand Years- Dr. Ed MacDonald (pavilion) Eng.
2:45 - 3:30 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck Eng & Fre.
3:30-3:45 A Day in a Child's Life: 1730s - Elizabeth LeLacheur (deck) Eng.
11:00-11:45 Artifacts Show & Tell and Walkabout -Gordon Carr (Heritage Room) Eng.
11:15 - 12:00 The 1700s Cod Fishery - Thane LeLacheur (front grounds) Eng.
12:00 Heritage Lunch begins
12:00-12:30 Fiddler - Roy Johnstone & song, Ian & Diane , Jock Beck (deck) Eng & Fre
12:15 - 1:00 - Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat: Louisburg Presenters (le pavillon) Fr. & Eng.
1:00-1:45 - La musique de danse acadienne traditionnelle - Georges Arsenault (deck) Fre.
1:45-2:30 -- Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et Dansez comme en 1740!- Marie Lavergne (deck) Eng & Fre.
2:30 -3:15 - Three Ships and Three Small Boys: Tales of Three Rivers Over A Thousand Years- Dr. Ed MacDonald (pavilion) Eng.
2:45 - 3:30 Strolling musicians: Roy Johnstone, Ian & Diane Farr, Jock Beck Eng & Fre.
3:30-3:45 A Day in a Child's Life: 1730s - Elizabeth LeLacheur (deck) Eng.
Ongoing Activities
Blacksmithing - Clayton Lavoie
Quill Pens & Calligraphy Demonstration- Kathryn Doughart, Joan Perrin
(Heritage Room)
Drop Spindle Demonstration - Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes -(le pavillon)
Trail / Garden Tours
Blacksmithing - Clayton Lavoie
Quill Pens & Calligraphy Demonstration- Kathryn Doughart, Joan Perrin
(Heritage Room)
Drop Spindle Demonstration - Sue Smith (Heritage Room)
Children's Toys & Costumes -(le pavillon)
Trail / Garden Tours
Dance like it's 1740!/ Fêtez et dansez comme en 1740! Session bilingue
Pour motiver les pionniers, Jean Pierre Roma encourageait la danse, la musique et les chansons. Venez et donnez vie à l'histoire avec vos pieds!
Come and see what the Roma settlers did for entertainment & try two traditional dances yourself. Bring history to life with your own two feet!
Dr. Stephen White, a noted genealogist at le Centre d'Études Acadiennes, University of Moncton will present 2 sessions:
The Acadians on Ile-Saint-Jean prior to 1758 and their Expulsion Various Acadian families settled on what is now PEI from 1720 onwards. Because of limited local resources to support them, the fate of these settlers and refugees was uncertain and sadly tragic for many.
Le retour des Acadiens à l'île Saint-Jean Petit à petit, dès 1760, certains Acadiens s'en sont retournés à l'île. Ces colons ont vécu une période très difficile, mais ils persistaient à se rétablir, pour devenir enfin les souches des familles acadiennes de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard d'aujourd'hui.
Three Ships and Three Small Boys: Tales of Three Rivers Over A Thousand Years is presented by Dr. Edward MacDonald who is an associate professor at the University of Prince Edward Island where he teaches Island, Atlantic, and Canadian history.
A Day in a Child's Life : 1730s Step back in time and learn what daily life was like. Try on the clothing, play with the toys & try your hand at the chores!
Une journée dans la vie d'un enfant: les années 1730 Visitez le passé et goutez la vie quotidienne d'un enfant. Essayez les vêtements, jouez avec les jouets, et faites le ménage!
The 1730's Cod Fishery Our fisherman will tell you about the marvelous cod - how it was fished & eaten, and its importance for the economy.
La pêcherie de la morue Notre pêcheur vous racontera de la morue merveilleuse - comment elle était pêchée et mangée et son importance pour l'économie.
Bread-making with Chef Michael Smith
Join Chef Michael Smith as he demonstrates the art & science of bread-making, past & present, using Roma's outdoor clay oven.
Bread-making with Robert Pendergast/La préparation du pain rustique Session bilingue
A demonstration of bread-making with insights on the use of differing grains and preparation methods from pioneer times until the present day.
Traditional Acadian Dancing Music Explore the evolution of this genre of music, from the French period to present day.
La musique de danse acadienne traditionnelle Explorez les instruments populaires, l'influence des autres cultures et écoutez des sélections!
Both sessions are presented by Georges Arsenault, noted Island historian & folklorist.
Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat Session bilingue Roma was actively involved in bringing chocolate to both Louisbourg & Île-St.-Jean. Apprenez de la connexion du chocolat de nos amis du Louisbourg.
The cod catch was the main reason for Roma's settlement at Trois Rivières. Vast amounts of dried and salted cod were readied for shipment to Europe and elsewhere. Our interpreters, in period costume, will introduce you to the dry fishery of the 1700's. They will tell you why they came, and will discuss their daily chores, their ship-mates, and how the fish was traded.
La pêche de morue était la raison principale pour la colonie de Roma à Trois Rivières. Une vaste quantité de morue séchée et salée était préparé pour la cargaison à l'Europe et autre part. Nos interprètes, en costume de l'époque, vont vous introduire à la pêche du 18ieme siècle. Ils vont vous expliquez pourquoi les Français sont venues, et ils vont aussi discuter leurs ménagers, leurs vies sociales, et comment le poisson était commercé
Pour motiver les pionniers, Jean Pierre Roma encourageait la danse, la musique et les chansons. Venez et donnez vie à l'histoire avec vos pieds!
Come and see what the Roma settlers did for entertainment & try two traditional dances yourself. Bring history to life with your own two feet!
Dr. Stephen White, a noted genealogist at le Centre d'Études Acadiennes, University of Moncton will present 2 sessions:
The Acadians on Ile-Saint-Jean prior to 1758 and their Expulsion Various Acadian families settled on what is now PEI from 1720 onwards. Because of limited local resources to support them, the fate of these settlers and refugees was uncertain and sadly tragic for many.
Le retour des Acadiens à l'île Saint-Jean Petit à petit, dès 1760, certains Acadiens s'en sont retournés à l'île. Ces colons ont vécu une période très difficile, mais ils persistaient à se rétablir, pour devenir enfin les souches des familles acadiennes de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard d'aujourd'hui.
Three Ships and Three Small Boys: Tales of Three Rivers Over A Thousand Years is presented by Dr. Edward MacDonald who is an associate professor at the University of Prince Edward Island where he teaches Island, Atlantic, and Canadian history.
A Day in a Child's Life : 1730s Step back in time and learn what daily life was like. Try on the clothing, play with the toys & try your hand at the chores!
Une journée dans la vie d'un enfant: les années 1730 Visitez le passé et goutez la vie quotidienne d'un enfant. Essayez les vêtements, jouez avec les jouets, et faites le ménage!
The 1730's Cod Fishery Our fisherman will tell you about the marvelous cod - how it was fished & eaten, and its importance for the economy.
La pêcherie de la morue Notre pêcheur vous racontera de la morue merveilleuse - comment elle était pêchée et mangée et son importance pour l'économie.
Bread-making with Chef Michael Smith
Join Chef Michael Smith as he demonstrates the art & science of bread-making, past & present, using Roma's outdoor clay oven.
Bread-making with Robert Pendergast/La préparation du pain rustique Session bilingue
A demonstration of bread-making with insights on the use of differing grains and preparation methods from pioneer times until the present day.
Traditional Acadian Dancing Music Explore the evolution of this genre of music, from the French period to present day.
La musique de danse acadienne traditionnelle Explorez les instruments populaires, l'influence des autres cultures et écoutez des sélections!
Both sessions are presented by Georges Arsenault, noted Island historian & folklorist.
Roma & the Chocolate Connection/ Le lien de Roma au chocolat Session bilingue Roma was actively involved in bringing chocolate to both Louisbourg & Île-St.-Jean. Apprenez de la connexion du chocolat de nos amis du Louisbourg.
The cod catch was the main reason for Roma's settlement at Trois Rivières. Vast amounts of dried and salted cod were readied for shipment to Europe and elsewhere. Our interpreters, in period costume, will introduce you to the dry fishery of the 1700's. They will tell you why they came, and will discuss their daily chores, their ship-mates, and how the fish was traded.
La pêche de morue était la raison principale pour la colonie de Roma à Trois Rivières. Une vaste quantité de morue séchée et salée était préparé pour la cargaison à l'Europe et autre part. Nos interprètes, en costume de l'époque, vont vous introduire à la pêche du 18ieme siècle. Ils vont vous expliquez pourquoi les Français sont venues, et ils vont aussi discuter leurs ménagers, leurs vies sociales, et comment le poisson était commercé
Events Described