First conceived in the late 1970s, the winter festival brought together the communities of the Torbé area for a weekend in late February, embracing the realities of the season by reviving and celebrating old winter traditions. For five or six years, neighbours entertained themselves with activities that echoed the lives of their ancestors. Participants rode through the village on an ox-drawn sleigh at Tommy Fougère’s, on horseback at Joe McGirr’s, or in a horse-drawn cart at Blair. Young people tobogganed down the knoll at Archie and Beulah’s Horseshoe Lake at Junction or at Farm Lake, warming up afterward with hot chocolate.

At the heart of these celebrations was the preparation of tamarin, the traditional sweet made with molasses or vinegar. This cherished recipe was prepared to perfection by genealogist and historian Geneva Fougère, surrounded by an eager crowd witnessing every detail of the process. Saturday evenings concluded with music for all to enjoy, rounding out a true community gathering.

Building on this renewed momentum, the 2026 Festival du Tamarin proved a resounding success. La Société Acadienne de Torbé welcomed double the number of visitors, all eager to celebrate Acadian culture while enjoying traditional fricot, homemade desserts, and the beloved candy tamarin. Once again hosted at Seawind Landing, the evening sparkled with energy as Mary Beth Carty, John Pellerin, and Jason Roach delivered spirited performances that had the crowd clapping and dancing late into the night.

From its roots in the 1970s to its vibrant present-day revival, the Festival du Tamarin continues to honour tradition while strengthening community ties in the heart of winter.