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').[5] La Kermesse began in 1982 with the motto "C'est Le Temps" (French: C'est Le Temps, lit. 'It is the time').[4][6]

Biddeford is located in Maine
Biddeford
Biddeford
Festival is held in Biddeford, which is located in Southern Maine.
La Kermesse Franco Americaine Festival
La Kermesse Festival Bicentennial Pin-Back Button[1]
VenueSaint Louis Field[2]
LocationBiddeford, Maine
Organized byLa Kermesse Festival Board of Directors[3]
Websitewww.lakermessefestival.com[4]

History

Established in 1982, La Kermesse has been a celebration of French Canadian culture in Maine with live music, games and entertainment.[6][7] In 1997, the Festival shifted to include all groups in the city.[7] Throughout its history the festival has used a green frog as its mascot and pin-back buttons to confirm entry.[8] These buttons get changed every year and so people collect and trade them.[1][8] Fireworks are also a prominent feature of the festival.[9] After being postponed by COVID-19 in 2020,[10] La Kermesse returned in 2022.[11]

Struggles

In 2009 and 2010, the Festival faced significant financial difficulties and nearly shut down.[12] After the festival survived these difficult times, the COVID-19 pandemic caused the festival to be postponed in 2020[10] and 2021.[13]

References
  1. "La Kermesse board selling commemorative buttons". sacobaynews.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  2. "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.
  3. "La Kermesse Board of Directors". www.lakermessefestival.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  4. "La Kermesse Festival". www.lakermessefestival.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  5. "Kermesse". Wordreference.com (in French and English). June 26, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
  6. Gotthelf, Liz. "La Kermesse Festival back with full line-up of activities". sacobaynews.com. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
  7. La Kermese shifts focus to diversify the traditional French festival this year Portland Press Herald, June 23, 1997
  8. Worthing, Abigail (2019-03-31). "LaKermesse reveals 2019 button". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  9. WGME (2019-06-20). "Rain cancels La Kermesse block party, fireworks in Biddeford". WGME. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  10. La Kermesse cancelled this year Portland Press Herald, May 3, 2020
  11. 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.
  12. Biddeford's Franco festival won't be canceled Portland Press Herald, April 27, 2010
  13. Biddeford's La Kermesse Festival postponed until 2022 due to pandemic WGME, March 31, 2020

43.47975°N 70.4649572°W / 43.47975; -70.4649572

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