FREDERICTON (CNB) – Fifteen regional heritage fairs will be taking place throughout New Brunswick in May.

"We certainly witnessed a great success with New Brunswick Heritage Week in February, and I am looking forward to continuing this success with our regional heritage fairs," said Wellness, Culture and Sport Minister Trevor Holder. "I encourage all New Brunswickers to attend the regional heritage fair in their area and learn from our youth about our history as New Brunswickers."

The fairs are organized at the school district level by participating elementary, middle and high schools. Students from 176 schools will present hands-on, multi-media presentations on Canadian people, legends, milestones and achievements.

The fairs are intended to provide an innovative learning opportunity for social studies students wishing to study their provincial and national history. They are also intended to be an opportunity for New Brunswick’s heritage community to recognize students.

Various heritage awards will be presented to students at each fair. One student will be selected at each fair to represent his or her school district at the provincial showcase taking place June 24-26 at Government House in Fredericton.

The Department of Natural Resources has created a new award for in recognition of this year’s theme, Forests for People. The New Brunswick Forest History Award recognizes student achievement in historical research on the topic of the province’s natural history.

"Our forests have played a vital role in our history, and continue to do so today," said Natural Resources Minister Bruce Northrup. "I am pleased that our department was able to work with the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport to offer this award. It points to the need for  a long-term perspective on critical issues facing our natural environment today. In New Brunswick, we are shaped – both past and present – by our relationship to the forests that surround us."

More information about the fairs is online.

Following is a schedule of the upcoming heritage fairs:
    
May 2: School District 14 – New Brunswick Community College, Woodstock
May 3: School District 15 – Campbellton Middle School, Campbellton
May 3-4: School District 11 – town hall, Richibucto
May 4: School District 2 – Albert County Museum, Hopewell Cape
May 6: Home schools – Central Norton United Baptist Church, Bloomfield
May 7: School District 3 – Musée historique du Madawaska, Edmundston
May 11: School District 17 – Harold Peterson Middle School, Oromocto
May 11-12: School District 9 – Aréna de Saint-Isidore, Saint-Isidore
May 12: School District 18 – Bliss Carmen Middle School, Fredericton
May 12: School District 6 – Kings Valley Wesleyan Church, Quispamsis
May 12: School District 8 – New Brunswick Museum, Saint John
May 13: School District 1 – École Sainte-Anne, Fredericton
May 13: School District 5 – École Mgr Melanson, Val-d'Amour
May 17: School District 10 – St. Andrews Catholic Church, Saint Andrews
May 26: School District 16 – Nelson Rural School, Miramichi

LINK:

●    Wellness, Culture and Sport (Heritage Branch): www.gnb.ca/heritage


26-04-11