Organizers of the Festival acadien de Clare say safety concerns are behind several major changes being introduced for this year’s event, including the decision to eliminate the festival’s traditional parade.
The changes have generated criticism online from some community members who are disappointed to see the long-running parade disappear from the festival schedule.
Festival executive director Daniel LeBlanc says organizers understand those concerns but believe the changes are necessary.
“I know people were disappointed in this and we do understand what they’re saying,” he said. “We don’t want to take away. We just want to make the event with less risk and we want people to come celebrate.”
Parade replaced by expanded Tintamarre
The biggest change for 2026 is that the traditional parade is being replaced by an expanded Tintamarre.
LeBlanc says parade participation had been declining in recent years while safety concerns surrounding the Tintamarre continued to grow.
The Tintamarre, a noise-making celebration of Acadian culture, has traditionally followed a lengthy route along Highway 1 before ending at Université Sainte-Anne.
Under the new format, the Tintamarre will instead follow the former parade route.
LeBlanc says the new route allows organizers to close the road, provide security and improve emergency access.
“One of the solutions that was brought up was maybe to just do the Tintamarre on the route that the parade would take,” he said. “This way we can close the road and have security and Clare Search and Rescue and the risk would be much lower.”
The event remains open to participants on foot, bicycles, floats and vehicles.
Other changes planned
The festival is also changing its schedule this year.
Rather than pausing activities before National Acadian Day, the festival will run continuously from August 1 to August 15.
LeBlanc says the change will allow events to be spread out over two weeks rather than having several activities competing for attention on the same night.
The traditional bazaar is also being replaced by an expanded two-day event called Expo Clare.
The event will feature vendors, food, music, culinary activities, bouncy castles and lumberjack demonstrations on August 14 and 15.
Organizers hope visitors embrace changes
Despite some criticism, LeBlanc says the goal is to ensure the festival remains safe while continuing to celebrate Acadian culture.
He also emphasized that the festival is open to everyone, regardless of language or background.
“Even if you don’t understand French, you will feel that pulse,” he said. “The pulse of the Acadian culture is alive and well.”
The Festival acadien de Clare runs from August 1 to August 15, culminating with the revamped Tintamarre, community celebrations and a free concert at Université Sainte-Anne on National Acadian Day.
