Jeff Gaye
Spring (such as it is) is sugaring-off time in maple bush country, and the cabane à sucre, or sugar shack, is an important part of French Canadian culture.
The Bonnyville – Cold Lake region of ACFA, the French Canadian association in Alberta, teamed up with the Town of Bonnyville to offer a cabane à sucre and other cultural activities in conjunction with the town’s annual Family Fun Day at Pontiac Park on Saturday.
The event celebrated le mois de la francophonie, a worldwide initiative to promote French culture through the month of March.
“This year, our cabane à sucre is in partnership with the Town of Bonnyville, to bring two winter events together and to try to get more people out for both of them.” said local ACFA executive director Christine St-Laurent.
Snow is important for the sugar shack atmosphere and for the sliding and skating activities at the event. The organizers’ order arrived just in time.
“I think a lot of people prayed to the snow gods this week. It was nice to get that dump,” St-Laurent said.
Participants enjoyed the food, including hot dog roasts, baked beans, and of course maple sugar taffy rolled in fresh clean snow. They were also able to take in new and traditional music from Roger Dallaire and Daniel Gervais before a fireworks display gave the event its grand finale.
Local ACFA treasurer Danielle Larsen said she loved the turnout, and was pleased everyone was enjoying themselves. “It just gives us a great opportunity to really focus and show our fun true colours as francophones in the communities,” she said.
Meanwhile, ACFA in St. Paul has been reaching out through French-language schools to raise the flag and promote the culture during Francophone Month. They will host their own cabane à sucre in April.
