Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/1520274
CULTURAL CONTRASTS The cultural landscape is equally diverse— and equally worth exploring—because Canada's only officially bilingual province has a split personality, linguistically speaking. The English and French popula- tions put a unique spin on everything from architecture to cuisine. As a result, British- influenced Loyalist locales such as Saint John (Canada's oldest incorporated city) are visibly different from their Acadian cousins: communities where francophone residents proudly fly their own tricolour flag and have an abiding passion for a potato dish called poutine râpée. When a deeper understanding is desired, New Brunswick Tourism can help you navigate the nuances since many of the unique products and programs it promotes include a cultural component. SEASONAL SENSATIONS The seasons, too, deserve to be savoured, as each is distinct. Summer, when the weather is warmest and the festival calendar is fullest, is prime time for tourists. Neverthe- less, Mother Nature has her own timetable. In early spring, sap runs in the maples and syrup producers open their sugar camps to visitors, whereas autumn promises brilliant fall foliage and delectable harvest feasts. Happily, a rapidly-growing number of restaurants spotlight fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Come winter, frozen ponds and lakes provide an ideal setting for cutting figure eights or playing pick-up hockey. Snow also falls—as much as 400 cm (157 in.) annually in northern New Brunswick—covering ski hills and more than 8,000 km (4,971 mi.) of groomed snowmobile trails. In a place that has this much to offer, there's no need to rush. So take your cue from the mighty St. John River and simply go with the flow. WHAT'S NEW The City of Fredericton, which celebrated its 175 th anniversary last year, continues celebrating the city in other ways (www.tourismfredericton.ca). In Saint John, walk "the plank" at the Reversing Falls from a 33.5 m (110 ft.) observation plank. Look over the sides to see 1.2 billion-year-old Precambrian age marble that collided with 515 million-year-old igneous rock. And check out the rooftop theatre (www.theplank.ca). Immerse yourself in Acadian culture at the new 1.5 km (1 mi.) Lumina Night Walk. Le Pays de la Sagouine opens in August in the Acadian village of Bouctouche (www.sagouline.com/en/lumina). The Taste of Atlantic Canada Festival, August 18-26 in Fredericton, is an Indigenous culinary event highlighting Indigenous culture across the Atlantic Provinces. It features Indigenous chefs with foods from their communities as well as Indigenous artists, music, workshops, artisans and storytellers (www.tasteoftheatlantic.com). The Saint John waterfront opened a funky Waterfront Container Village using more than 60 shipping containers. This new collection of retail shops, food trucks, public art and pop-up activities includes a large performance stage (www.area506.ca/ village). The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, in Fredericton, opened the Harrison McCain Pavilion. The new space includes additional exhibit rooms, a café, gift shop and large outdoor terrace (www.beaverbrookartgallery.org). NB 67 ACADIAN HISTORICAL VILLAGE, CARAQUET • NEW BRUNSWICK TOURISM