Provincial Heritage Fair in the Provincial Capital
by Rachel Van Wart,
St Malachy's Memorial High School, Saint John
May 29, 2009, Fredericton - On May 22-24 sixteen lucky students from across New Brunswick gathered in Fredericton for the 2009 Provincial Heritage Fair Showcase. The showcase exhibited work by students from grades five to nine who created projects about Canadian History. The theme for this year’s Fair was transportation but project topics ranged from the history of CBC Radio-Canada to Hatheway Ford.
The students who were selected for the Provincial Fair competed in their own school, advanced to the regionals and finally to provincials. But, the judging did not end there. The sixteen were then judged during the weekend and a final six students will be chosen to represent New Brunswick at the National Histor!ca Fair in Ottawa, Ontario in July.
The weekend began Friday evening with registration for students and parents followed by a “Meet and Greet” hosted by the New Brunswick Provincial Capital Commission. Various provincial MLAs were in attendance and wished the students well.
The students arrived the next morning at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick with accessories to their colorful projects in hand. The students then proceeded to place the finishing touches on their projects, so that everything looked just right. Although the students were nervous for the judging throughout the day, they also participated in various other learning activities. The students became young historians as they participated in the Genealogy 101 workshop and researched their family tree. Some students even found valuable information about their ancestors. In addition, they received a guided tour of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and partook in an art workshop with Joe Blades celebrating New Brunswick’s 225th birthday.
After a group photo at the Provincial Archives the students departed for Kings Landing Historical Settlement. The settlement represents life in the central St. John River Valley during the 1800’s and is a living history museum. The students slept over at the Slipp House which is used for the Visiting Cousins program. The Visiting Cousins act as visiting relatives to the King’s Landing families and participate in everyday life as children would in the 1800’s.
As the students arrived at the Slipp House, bubbling with excitement, they claimed their bunk beds and settled into their home for the night. They enjoyed a walk down to the Kings Head Inn for supper, where authentic candlelight awaited them in the dining room. Then they enjoyed a dinner of oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots and a delicious dessert of warm gingerbread topped with whipped cream - washed down with a cold glass of milk. After supper the students enjoyed the delight of dressing up in authentic 19th century clothing; dresses, petticoats and bonnets for the girls and zipper-less pants, shirts and suspenders for the boys. They then received a guided tour of the settlement followed by a “Waste Not, Want Not” barnyard hunt.
After all the fresh air activities, the kids were tired and headed back to the Slipp House for an evening snack of cookies and milk. As everyone settled into their bunks for the night, giggles and whispers could be heard from the new friendships formed during the day. Tired faces appeared in the morning; however they soon disappeared once the activities commenced. Students helped make breakfast, set the table and cleaned up afterwards. Buckwheat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages, and toast were among the breakfast menu items. After breakfast the students packed up their belongings and played an exciting round of Canada-opoly, while awaiting the bus to take them back to Fredericton.
The students then returned to the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick for the official opening of the Provincial Heritage Fair Showcase. The opening ceremonies began with the sound of the fiddle played by Kathleen Gorley-McSorley followed by the singing of O’ Canada by the sixteen students. Wayne Burley, Director of Heritage Branch in the Department of Wellness, Culture & Sport, addressed the students congratulating them on their projects and thanked everyone involved with the organization of the Provincial Fair. The Honourable Herménégilde Chiasson, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, gave the keynote address and also presented the sixteen students with medals of achievement as well as a copy of his recent book Beatitudes. In celebration of New Brunswick’s 225th Birthday, a cake was brought out and the singing of Happy Birthday was celebrated by all. The public then browsed through the award winning projects while enjoying a piece of New Brunswick’s birthday cake!