Haché-Gallant event just days away
Registration still being accepted for family reunion
Registrations are still being accepted for the Haché-Gallant family reunion.
Organizers of the reunion, which takes place at SkmaqnPort-La-Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site, Aug. 1718, say the event has attracted members of the family from across Canada and the United States an interest continues to grow.
They would like to give as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the reunion, which is taking place at a site with great historical significance for the Haché-Gallant family.
Michel Haché dit Gallant, the patriarch of all Haché and Gallant descendants, arrived at what was then Port-La-Joye in 1720 as harbour master and commandant of the militia and lived there until his untimely death in 1737.
While most of those attending the reunion are expected to have either the Haché or Gallant surname on their name tags, they may not be the only names people see. Over the course of time, several variations on the name have appeared.
Depending on which part of North America people grew up in, those variations can also include Hachey, Hachez, Hashi, Hashie, Aché, Achée, Galland, Gallan and Galan.
The reunion will include site visits, genealogy searches, historical presentations given by renowned authors, interspersed with Acadian music, children’s programs, Acadian food and arts and crafts displays.
Organizers recently finalized the entertainment lineup for the reunion and virtually every artist on the bill is tied to the family.
Pianist Claire Gallant will perform during a banquet slated for that Saturday night.
A show slated to follow the banquet will feature Brennen Gallant, Paul D. Gallant, his daughter, Adrienne Gallant & Friends, Marcella Richard & Friends – the Richard family line includes the Gallant family - Karine Gallant, Gary Gallant & Family.
The closing concert for the reunion the following day will feature award-winning singersongwriter Lennie Gallant.
Gallant’s concert, though mounted as part of the reunion, will be open to the public for a nominal admission fee.
The social component of the reunion will actually commence on Aug. 16, the day prior to the official start of the event, with an Acadian golf tournament at the Mill River Golf Course in Woodstock.
That tournament is being jointly organized by the Arsenault and Haché-Gallant families and the Comité régional des Jeux de l’Acadie de l’Î. -P.-É.
The reunion officially gets underway Aug. 17 with registration from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Highlights of the first day’s program will include the official opening and Mi’kmaq ceremony. Multiple presentations are slated for the afternoon in both French and English.
Michel Goudreau will deliver the first French address, Les Haché dit Gallant - Familles Rebelles.
At the same time, Jean Bernard will deliver an English address on the Gallants of P.E.I.
In the second set of presentations, Goudreau will repeat his address in English, while Bernard repeats his address in French.
A banquet and social evening at Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean will cap off the day.
The second day of the reunion will commence with a bilingual mass.
Guided tours of the SkmaqnPort-La-Joye-Fort-Amherst National Historic Site, youth activities will follow.
Registration forms can be found online at https:// www.123formbuilder.com/form-3992284/FamilleHacheGallant.
Registration is $30 for adults. There is no cost to register students or pre-schoolers. There is an additional cost to attend the banquet.
Further details about the program, including dates and times, can be found at online https://www.cma2019.ca/en/families/2-general/168-hachegallant.
For more information, contact Tilmon Gallant at gallanttilmon@hotmail.com.