Annapolis Royal Heritage Days

The Annapolis Royal Heritage Days are held every year in February. It is a weekend filled with events for everyone, the whole family and those that are interested in our heritage and those that are not as interested but enjoy a good time.

According to the Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia the word Heritage "refers to something inherited from the past". This could mean many things - buildings, architecture, culture, clothes, food, games and activities.

For this reason Annapolis Royal is the perfect place to be during Heritage Days. This is the area for many first for North America - first permanent settlement, first agriculture, first drama and first recreation just to name a few.

In our small town we have over 135 buildings that are Municipal Heritage Properties and several more that are Provincial Heritage Buildings plus the whole Lower St. George Street has been designated as a National Historic District.

We also have the Fort Anne National Historic Site, the Historic Gardens, several interesting museums, beautiful architecture in our many fine old buildings along with a town full of great people who have a real interest in preserving our heritage.

Then not too far away you will find the Port Royal Habitation National Historic Site, Melanson Settlement Historic Site, the replica of the first Grist Mill in North America and the North Hills Museum. Like I said what better place to celebrate Heritage Days.

This is a video I made showing much of the heritage in Annapolis Royal

Every year the Annapolis Heritage Society, the Historical Association of Annapolis Royal, the Historic Gardens and Parks Canada join together to present a full weekend full of heritage and fun activities. Planned for mid-February it is a great way to combat the long winter blues.

Every year the Heritage Days take on a different theme and several activities are planned around this theme. This gives a variety in the events from year to year.

During the weekend you will find many seminars, presentations, interpretive programs and workshops all based on the theme of the year. These will be located in some of the museums and at other locations around town. You are welcome to take part in any of these and feel free to ask questions.

They also have fun outdoor activities and games during the day for the young and the young at heart on the parade square at Fort Anne National Historic Site. These activities include snowshoeing, snow soccer, kick sledding and maybe a snowball game. Of course as long as there is enough snow sledding down the hills of the ramparts has always been a favorite activity.

This video was made about the Winter Olympics, but they have the same types of games and activities at Heritage Days.

At the Historic Gardens you will also find several activities going on during the weekend. First of all don't forget about the winter Market that goes on there every Saturday morning. Heritage Days is no exception, it is a good place to buy all your local produce and other goods and a great opportunity to visit with friends, neighbours and family as they will all be there.

There is usually an interpretive program at the maison Acadienne with the old clay oven cooking up a fine period dish. Don't be surprised if you see people dressed up in Acadian clothing standing over the stove cooking.

The gardens also have fun activities and games going on throughout the day.

Snowshoes are usually on hand if you are interested in taking a snowshoe trek through the winter gardens.

To find out more about the Annapolis Royal Heritage Days keep an eye on the Annapolis Heritage Society Facebook Page for updates.

Leave The Annapolis Royal Heritage Days Page to Look At Other Great Arts & Cultural Festivals.

Or return to the Annapolis Valley Spring Events Page to see what else is happening in the Annapolis Valley