The Acadian people have a rich history that spans two continents. Today, Maine is one of the areas that they call home. For 45 years, Madawaska Acadian Festival has celebrated everything Acadian in Madawaska, ME. We bring a week of amazing events to the Madawaska community that highlights the local culture and bring rich history to the general populace. We do not charge an entrance fee for our festival, and the only ticketed event is our concert.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, August 10, 2023

8am-4pm: SILENT AUCTION Senior Citizen Center 291 Newberry Drive

1pm: CHARLEMAGNE TOURNAMENT Senior Citizen Center
291 Newberry Drive $5.00 entry per person.
Contact: Pauline Marquis (207 728-4737)

6pm-8pm: SOIREE DU BON VIEUX TEMPS Bi-Centennial Park.
Music by: Showtime

Friday, August 11, 2023

8:00am-1pm: GUIDED BUS TOUR

8am-4pm: SILENT AUCTION Senior Citizen Center 291 Newberry Drive

9am-5pm: MERCHANT SIDEWALK SALE Main Street Madawaska.
Sponsored by the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce FMI (207-728-7000)

10am-8pm: QUILTING SHOW ~ Daigle’s Furniture Store, 350 Main St.

10am-7pm: ART EXPO ~ St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce, 356 Main St. Les Artistes de la Vallee St. Jean
Contact: Gerald Fongemie (207-895-9551)

10am-8pm: SITTING WHIMSY ARTISAN PAINTED CHAIR AUCTION
St John Valley Chamber Office.

10am-4pm: CRAFT FAIR ~ 7th Avenue, Multi-Purpose Building

10am: WATERMELON EATING CONTEST ~ Paradis Shop and Save, 58 Main St. Free for Children & Adults

11am-2pm: FREE PLOYES! Visit NorState Federal Credit Union, 78 Fox Street for Free Ployes.

11am-2pm: SENIOR PICNIC Multi-Purpose Building, 7th Avenue. Hot Dogs & Beans, $5 per person. Music by Dean & Maria. Sponsored by American Legion Post #147, Little Debbie's (CHASE).

4pm-7pm: CATHIE PELLETIER BOOK SIGNING ~ Novelist born & raised in Allagash, ME, Cathie will be available to sign copies of her newest national bestseller, Northeaster, A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952. Copies of all of Cathie’s books will be on hand for purchase and autographed. Location: St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce

5pm: CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

5pm: HUMAN BILLARDS ~ 3rd Annual Human Billiards, 2 Person teams, limit 20 teams. $30 per Team. Cash Prizes.
To register, contact Brooke Baron (978-400-1236)

6pm: MR. DREW AND HIS ANIMALS, TOO! Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, is a truly unique educational show. Using animals, he has rescued and rehabilitated, Mr. Drew brings hands on experience with snakes, lizards, turtles & more!

6pm-8pm: FREE FACE PAINTING ~ by Melanie Boucher.

6pm-10pm: FOOD VENDORS ON SITE

6pm-8pm: MUSIC BY DAN CHARETTE ~ 11th Avenue Pocket Park

6pm-8pm: DISPLAY OF MADAWASKA MEMORIES: with over 60 - 8 x 10 photos by Liz Momneault; 11™ Avenue, at the Chamber Office

6pm: FIRE TRUCK SPRINKLER ~ Madawaska Fire Dept. For kids of all ages! Bring your swimsuit. Near Daigle’s Sports Center

6pm: ROCK N ROLL RACING Super Speedway Track Event
$3 for a 15-Lap Race.

6:30pm: POUTINE PALOOZA EATING CONTEST Hosted by Big Rick's Burger & Wings. Age Categories: 10 and under free, 11-17 $5 entry fee, 18 & up $10 entry fee.

7pm-11pm: TEEN DANCE with A PERFECT MIX DJ SERVICES ~ All teens are invited to join us for an evening of your favorite songs along with today’s hits & remixes. Pocket Park near Daigle’s Furniture Store

7pm-10pm: STAR CITY SYNDICATE
A group of Maine based musicians with diverse backgrounds playing Motown, Classic Pop and Contemporary music. Farmers Market Pavilion

8pm-11pm: DJ STACIE COLTART American Legion

9pm-~1am: BIG RICK'S BURGERS AND WINGS ~ Beer Garden:
Music by: Guilty Pleasure

Saturday, August 12, 2023

8:30~1:30pm: GUIDED BUS TOUR ~ Tour Guide: Lise Pelletier Multi-Purpose Building (7th Ave). Bus trip to Acadian Landing Site/Madawaska Historical Site, Grand Isle Historical Site, Van Buren Héritage Vivant Village (lunch) and back to Multi-Purpose Building. $20 per person. FMI & Tickets: St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce (207-728-7000)

8am-4pm: SILENT AUCTION Senior Citizen Center 291 Newberry Drive

8:30am: 5K RUN Multi-Purpose Building, 7th Avenue. Sponsored by Madawaska Athletic Boosters, 7:30am Registration; 8:30am Race Starts.

8:30am-2pm: QUILTING SHOW ~ Daigle’s Furniture Store, 350 Main Street.

8:30am-2pm: SITTING WHIMSY ARTISAN PAINTED CHAIR AUCTION
St John Valley Chamber Office.

9am-4pm: CARICATURE ARTIST Senior Citizen Center, 291 Newberry Dr

9am-5pm: MERCHANT SIDEWALK SALE ~ Main Street, Madawaska.

10am ANTIQUE TRACTOR PULLS ~ Hosted by Northern Maine Antique Tractor Club Location: Madawaska Public Works — 9 Public Works Road, (Behind Central Building).

10am PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT ~ Sponsored by: Madawaska Parks & Rec Dept. FMI: call Mad. Rec Dept (207-728-3604)

10am-4pm CRAFT FAIR Multi-Purpose Building, 7" Avenue. Applications can be found on website or at St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce office. Contact: Bern Thibeault (207-543-2151)

10am-4pm ART EXPO
St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce, 356 Main Street.
“Les Artistes de la Vallee St. Jean.
Contact: Gerald Fongemie (207-895-9551)

1lam-2pm 4TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW Bob's Neighborhood Store, 554 Main Street. Proceeds go to Charity

10am-12pm MADAWASKA REC DEPT CARNIVAL GAMES Come play a variety of carnival games and win some fun prizes!

10am-4pm GIANT INFLATABLE
FUN PARK Bouncy Houses by COUNTY INFLATABLES
Play all day for $3, Ages 1-5 years old.

10am MR. DREW AND HIS ANIMALS, TOO!
Mr. Drew and His Animals Too, is a truly unique educational show. Using animals, he has rescued and rehabilitated, Mr. Drew brings hands on experience with snakes, lizards, turtles and more!

10am-4pm FIRE FIGHTER OBSTACLE COURSE
by Madawaska Fireman and EMTs.

10am-4pm MONSTER TRUCK RIDES
By Moose Maine-iah, $8 a Ride.

1lam-3pm FACE PAINTING
By Melanie Boucher - Free.

10am-4pm ATV TRACK COURSE ~ Free Course ride for kids, must be & 10+ Sponsored by Madawaska ATVenture Club.

10am-4pm ROCK N ROLL RACING
Super Speedway Track Event $3 for a 15-Lap Race.

2pm & 5pm MUSIC by: DJ Don Dumond

10am-10pm FOOD VENDORS ON SITE

10am-3pm LOOM WEAVING DEMONSTRATIONS
Monica Cyr & Jackie Lausier

10am-3pm ILLUSTRATOR & PATTERN DESIGNER ~ Anna Bouchard

10am-3pm SPINNING DEMONSTRATION ~ Brenda Cyr

10am-3pm PLOYE MAKING

10am-3pm ART EXPO

10am-3pm  ST.JOHN VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

10am-3pm MADAWASKA MEMORIES ~ Photos by Liz Morneault

10am-3pm WOOD CARVING & WOOD BURNING
Tom Cote & Granddaughters

1lam-3pm SNOWSHOE DEMONSTRATION ~ Brian Theriault

1lam- 11:30am MAKING SNOWSHOES ~ Brian Theriault

12~ 12:45pm ‘POT EN POT’ AUTHENTIC ACADIAN MEAL DEMONSTRATION By Fran Gendreau.

1pm-1:30pm ROPE MAKING DEMONSTRATION By Sage Gendreau-Distler.

5pm-10pm BEER GARDEN ~ By Big Ricks Burgers & Wings.

5pm-7pm MUSIC ~ By: ISAAC LEACH

7pm-10pm MUSIC ~ By: MOTOR BOOTY AFFAIR: $10 per ticket. Tickets available at the St. John Valley $ Chamber of Commerce (207-728-7000)

9pm FIREWORKS

Sunbay, August 13th, 2023

10:30am FIREMEN’S CHICKEN BBQ ~ Tickets $10.00 ($13.00 Canadian)
Location: Madawaska Fire Station. Tickets can be purchased from any Fireman

1pm 45th ANNUAL ACADIAN FESTIVAL PARADE ~ Main Street.

5pm SKYLITE DRIVE-IN 50™ ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Monpay, August 14th, 2023

6pm-8pm MUSIC IN THE PARK ~ Bi-Centennial Park. Music by: Jerry T

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

1pm ACADIAN MASS at MIZPAH Doucette Road in Grand Isle.

4pm-7pm FOOD VENDORS ON SITE Bi-Centennial Park

4pm-5pm MUSIC BY: THE ACADIAN SINGERS

5pm-7pm MUSIC BY: THE DYNAMICS

6pm: TINTAMAREE PARADE
Bring your noisemakers, pots, pans and Grosse Tetes. Come join us for this Acadian tradition! FMI contact the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce (207-728-7000)

Fest Date: August 10 - 15, 2023

Location: Various Locations in Madawaska, ME

Click here for more information.