Loyalist Heritage Festival

The Bedeque Area Historical Museum serves as the Island’s hub for Loyalist knowledge and displays their history. To commemorate the 240th anniversary of the arrival of the Bedeque Harbour Loyalists, the museum is hosting a Loyalist Heritage Festival from August 9–11. Events include craft workshops and demonstrations, dance and music performances, a blueberry social, historical talks, historic children’s games, and museum tours.

The festival will begin with a Loyalist Supper on August 9 from 6–8 pm at Bedeque United, with musical accompaniment by Roy Johnstone.

On August 10, the opening ceremony will start at 10:30 am in front of the Loyalist monument in Central Bedeque. Activities throughout the day include two historic talks: UNB’s Dr. Bonnie Huskins will discuss Loyalist Women, including Isabella Robins of Lower Bedeque, at 2 pm; and historian Doug Sobey will discuss the origins of the Bedeque Harbour Loyalists and why they settled in the area at 4 pm.

The annual Blueberry and Ice-cream Social will be held in the Loyalist Monument Park on August 11 from 2–4 pm, with musical entertainment by Luci Blu. The festival will close that evening with a community concert at 7:30 pm by world-renowned fiddler Richard Wood.

Entrance to the festival and museum is free. For tickets to the Loyalist Supper or the Richard Wood concert, call 902-887-3009, email bedequemuseum@gmail.com, or visit the museum at 950 Callbeck Street, Central Bedeque. For the full schedule, fees, and more, visit bedequemuseum.ca.