Official Schedule Released

The CMA has released the official schedule for the entire two weeks!  You can find it here: http://www.cma2014.com/en/programmation/programmationcomplete.  At the time of posting this Blog entry, the web format was not loading completely, but the PDF was working fine.

It looks like it will be a very busy time in northern Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec!  The CMA kicks off on August 8 with a day jam packed with activities.  There will be an early morning ceremony at Beau Lake, where the three separate regions meet.  While this ceremony is only open to a handful of dignitaries and First Nations elders, it will be broadcast live to community breakfasts, including one at Lonesome Pine Trails in Fort Kent.  The breakfast begins at 6:45 with the broadcast beginning at 7am (EST.)  Tickets are $10 and include a buffet breakfast.  Tickets can currently be purchased at the Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce office.

From 3-5, the party really takes off in Edmundston.  Between street performers, musicians, and yummy food, it will be one big block party downtown!  The Botanical Garden will also be hosting a native-themed celebration honoring one of their mosaicultures.  At the same time, there will be a separate community collaboration in Edmundston to create a wampum belt, representing the relationship between Acadians and First Nations.

This all leads up to the opening ceremony in Turgeon Park at 5:00.  Entitled "Seeds," the opening ceremony will involve some public addresses, exchanging of symbolic gifts, and a general welcome.  Stick around after the ceremony to see performers from Circus Stella stilt-walking and juggling through the crowd!  They'll be around from 6:30-8 (NB time.)

The night ends with a concert featuring Roch Voisine, Wilfred LeBouthillier, Annie Blanchard, Paul Hebert, les Danseurs du Madawaska, and many more!  The concert begins at 8:30 NB time.

It is not currently known what the cost of these events will be.  The CMA is currently selling bracelets for $20 a piece that will allow entrance into all CMA events during the two weeks.  They are available locally in Maine, NB, and Quebec.  I am trying to get some information for all of us out of towners, and will pass it on to you all once I know!

Saturday is also crammed full of events throughout the region.  The CMA schedule breaks it down for you, color coding where the event will take place.  Fort Kent will be hosting the annual Ploye Festival, starting early that morning.  It is also the 50th anniversary celebration of the Maine Ski Museum at Lonesome Pines, and the Commemoration of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty International Ceremony at the Fort Kent Blockhouse.

There are also a few non-CMA events going on, including the Fish River Health Fair in Eagle Lake, and the Freedom Fest concert at the FK airport.  We'll be providing more information about these events in future posts!

Check out the schedule and start planning- but don't forget to leave Saturday afternoon and evening for our reunion!

Update

Are you still searching for lodging?  Frustrated that the Overlook Motel is booked until eternity and the Northern Door Inn has no open doors?

The CMA released a listing of 130 private accommodations this week.  These include cabin and camp rentals, private rooms, houses, RV parking sites, and more.  Please see this link for more information: http://cma2014.com/repertoire/hebergementprive/indexEn.php.

The CMA also announced a special travel deal for those who are flying in for the event.  PenAir is offering special deals between Boston and Presque Isle during the CMA.  Travel must be booked by July 18, and travel dates must be between August 1 and August 31.  Go to the website http://penair.com/ and use the promotional code ACF89.

From the CMA:

Fare stated includes all taxes and fees. Fares are subject to change without /notice, seats are limited  and may not be available on all flights or on all days of operation. Sale fares are only available on published, schedule service.   Sale fares are non-refundable. Purchase by midnight 7/18/14 for travel between 8/1/14 and 8/31/14. Restrictions Apply. See penair.com for details.

The fare will be available at PenAir.com or at the PQI or Boston Ticket counters.  

With regards to our reunion, we are still welcoming registrations!  Please remind your family members to register by July 15.  There have been a few registrations that have not been received, so if you have not received a confirmation from blanchettefamilyreunion@gmail.com, please e-mail us or call Kelly at 908-472-8657 (please leave a message if I do not answer!)

We have been discussing genealogy displays and have some interest from several family members in creating tri-fold displays for specific branches of the family.  If you are interested in doing a display for your line, please let us know!

Also, please continue to send in pictures.  These will be displayed at the reunion.  Please send pictures to blanchettefamilyreunion@gmail.com.  We'd love pictures of Blanchettes of yesterday and of today!

As always, don't hesitate to contact us directly with any questions or concerns.  Less than two months to go!

~Kelly