La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival
The La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival (French: La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival, lit. 'The Franco-American Kermesse Festival') is a festival in Biddeford, Maine, which celebrates the state's French and French Canadian heritage. It is colloquially shortened to 'La Kermesse' (French: La Kermesse, lit. 'The Fair'). La Kermesse began in 1982 with the motto "C'est Le Temps" (French: C'est Le Temps, lit. 'It is the time').
History
Established in 1982, La Kermesse has been a celebration of French Canadian culture in Maine with live music, games and entertainment. In 1997, the Festival shifted to include all groups in the city. Throughout its history the festival has used a green frog as its mascot and pin-back buttons to confirm entry. These buttons get changed every year and so people collect and trade them. Fireworks are also a prominent feature of the festival. After being postponed by COVID-19 in 2020, La Kermesse returned in 2022.
Struggles
In 2009 and 2010, the Festival faced significant financial difficulties and nearly shut down. After the festival survived these difficult times, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the festival to be postponed in 2020 and 2021.
References
- ^ "La Kermesse board selling commemorative buttons". sacobaynews.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Biddeford's La Kermesse festival to return to city field six years after being banned over damage". Bangor Daily News. 2016-06-14. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
- ^ "La Kermesse Board of Directors". www.lakermessefestival.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "La Kermesse Festival". www.lakermessefestival.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ "Kermesse". Wordreference.com (in French and English). June 26, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
- ^ Gotthelf, Liz. "La Kermesse Festival back with full line-up of activities". sacobaynews.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ La Kermese shifts focus to diversify the traditional French festival this year Portland Press Herald, June 23, 1997
- ^ Worthing, Abigail (2019-03-31). "LaKermesse reveals 2019 button". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ WGME (2019-06-20). "Rain cancels La Kermesse block party, fireworks in Biddeford". WGME. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ La Kermesse cancelled this year Portland Press Herald, May 3, 2020
- ^ Wells, Tammy (2022-06-16). "Bonjour, La Kermesse Franco Americaine Festival" [Hello, The Franco-American Frog Festival]. Portland Press Herald (in French and English). Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Biddeford's Franco festival won't be canceled Portland Press Herald, April 27, 2010
- ^ Biddeford's La Kermesse Festival postponed until 2022 due to pandemic WGME, March 31, 2020