Petitcodiac : The Summer of 1999

By Daniel LeBlanc
Sentinelle Petitcodiac Riverkeeper
September 21, 1999

The sun will set tonight on the summer of 1999, the last one of this millenium and possibly the brightest in over a quarter century for our tormented but noble Petitcodiac River.

Many images come to mind as I relive the events of the summer of 1999 on the river, a summer which I am tempted to qualify as the "season of re-acquaintance" with the Petitcodiac River. Are these the first steps in restoring the Petitcodiac River at the hearth of our collective identity right here in southeastern New Brunswick?

As an homage to this season gone by and to those who participated in awakening the memory of the Petitcodiac River during this summer, I offer to you, dear readers, my top 10 memories of the summer of 1999.

1) To our new pedestrian bridge on Halls Creek and to the wonderful boardwalk next to Ch,teau Moncton: we have thoroughly enjoyed and take pleasure in the thought that we will have this exceptional addition to our riverfront trail system for years to come.

2) To the hugely successful Symposium d'art actuel with its Tidal Bore animated reference: the event brought us back to the riverfront in thousands (15,000 to 20,000 estimated visitors), to witness and to admire the creation of 16 sculptures inspired by the pulse of our river.

3) To the river ceremonies and dance performances offered during the Symposium d'art actuel: how stirring it was for the hundreds who were there to take part in these peaceful and colorful rituals, from the Village of Petitcodiac, through The Bend and all the way to Beaumont.

4) To the native Mic Mac nation who greeted the launch of the Riverkeeper vessel that beautiful day in June: the vivid image of the prayer and drumbeat greeting the oncoming vessels was one of this summer's most moving moments on the river.

5) To the creators of the Mythe du Masque à Ray, a theatrical event featuring young Acadian artists in their quest to unveil the myth of the Petitcodiac River: the ingenuity and inspiration created by our river never ceases to amaze.

6) To the boat outings on the Petitcodiac River with our Riverkeeper vessel from Belliveau Village: I wish you all the pleasure of discovering this wonderful feeling of gliding on our Chocolate River (and thanks to that shark for its surprise appearance!).

7) To that one lone shad which visited the fish counting fence situated near the Village of Petitcodiac in early June (one day before the end of the trial opening exercise), about 21 kms from the causeway: nice to see you again!

8) To the dozen or so groups in our community who participated in the brain-storming sessions for the Canadian Heritage River designation initiative: what an informative exercise it was to unearth and polish the long neglected jewels or our river's natural, cultural and recreational heritage. We look forward to sharing these with the public.

9) To the 25,000 to 30,000 people who packed the riverfront park on the evening of September 4th in order to watch the Window on the World concert and fireworks: you were part of history's largest gathering of humans along the Petitcodiac River. Bravo to those who organized the event.

10) And finally, to the hundreds of well-wishers whom I met during the summer of 1999: thank you for sharing your memories and dreams for the Petitcodiac River - your testimonies have served to reinforce our view that the river belongs to all of us.