Cape Breton - Fun In Louisbourg

By Maryanna Gabriel

Everybody here speaks funny. There are twangs and brogues that are mind boggling to track, sometimes an Irish lilt and at other times a Newfoundland accent, a hint of French, a hint of Boston, was that a Scottish word? They say the word car like that guy from “This Hour Has 22 Minutes”, hey wait a minute, that show is filmed in Nova Scotia. “It’s Acadian,” someone said to me. Right. I could see there was no point in trying to analyze the dialects. Apparently I have an accent and I sound like I am from another country.

Fort Louisbourg

The Cabot Trail that circumnavigates Cape Breton Island, ribbons 

Period Costume

through highlands bordering spectacular ocean scenery. The famous drive has brought me to the town of Louisbourg a UNESCO site. Originally this place was peopled by the Micmac but in the 1700’s the Fortress Of Louisbourg was built where the French and the English duked it out. The town was a source of wealth from the fishing industry and was also strategic to controlling the St. Lawrence. As time passed the town was abandoned and pilfered but when the cod fishing industry died out Parks Canada provided jobs to the local townsfolk in the restoration of the heritage that is here. I sauntered into the Visitor Center

Lace Maker 

having no idea what to expect. I purchased a ticket and was transported by bus to where the scene was brought to life by people dressed up in period costume involved in the activities of the day and role playing in the streets with park visitors looking on. One may walk into the buildings to find the rooms restored and furnished with bakers working, maids, cooks, soldiers, and varying other townsfolk. Activities that were going on included musket and cannon firing, fife and drum playing, school children being taught or trained in
musketry, rum tasting, lace making, lyre playing, restaurants serving salt cod to candle light on pewter ware and all kinds of activities. Everybody was having a great time. The mood of fun and play was infectious as the past was brought to life. It was fabulous. Later that evening I went to hear some music. Man, can these people party! Tap dancing, Irish drumming, spoons, fiddling with the bow fraying before one’s eyes as reels and jigs were played with the same melange of musical styles as the dialects, a rich history to draw from as the dark nights were sung and danced away. My heart has been captured by these warm people and this historically alive place.