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Balloons Floating Away

The festival theme for 2023 is Let's Celebrate!

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

  • 5:00pm: Re-enactment of the landing of the first Beatons with BBQ, refreshments, and music to follow  |  Finlay's Point, Mabou Coal Mines Beach  |  in partnership with the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society

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  • 6:30pm-8:30pm: Trivia Night  |  Hillsborough Hall  |  To register a team, email Jessica at welcomenetwork@capebretonpartnership.com  |  in partnership with The Cape Breton Welcome Network and the Cape Breton Connector Program

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  • 7:00pm: Sunset Kayak and Paddleboard  |  BYOK: Bring your own kayak  |  Below Leona MacInnis’ at 583 Mabou Harbour Road

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  • 9:00pm-12:00am: Teen Dance with DJ Ryan MacDonald  |  Mabou Arena  |  $10  | Doors close at 10pm  |  in partnership with the Mabou Arena

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  • 9:00pm-12:00am: Family Square Dance with Joe MacMaster  |  Glencoe Mills  |  $10

FRIDAY, JUNE 30

  • 5:00-7:00pm: The Kids’ Ceilidh  |  Petting Zoo with Six Little Farmers + Face Painting with Melinda Crawford (donations go toward Becky Beaton Bursary) + BBQ in partnership with the Mabou Development + Beaton’s Delight Coffee and Ice Cream  |  Mabou Marina

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  • 6:00pm: Boat Parade Begins  |  Meet at Mabou Harbour Wharf, head to Mabou Marina

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  • 7:00pm: Ecumenical Service  |  Mabou Marina

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  • 7:30pm-9:30pm: Music on the Marina with Aaron MacDonald + BBQ + Sam's Point Oysters (Pending good water testing) + Free S’mores for the kids |  Kenzie Beaton's Gazebo, Mabou Marina

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  • 8:00pm: KitchenFest! Echoes of Glendale '73  |  Strathspey Performing Arts Centre  |  Tickets Here

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  • 8:00pm-11:00pm: KitchenFest! Pub Night with Brent Aucoin, Mairi Rankin, Hilda Chiasson, & James MacLean  |   Red Shoe Pub  |  $10, 19+


 

SATURDAY, JULY 1

  • 8:00am: Softball Tournament with BBQ and Beer Tent  |  Tulloch Field, Brook Village, running all day  |  Contact Rankin MacEachern to register: 902-578-1516  |  in partnership with Brook Village Recreation Association  |  Sponsored by Vic Aucoin’s Electric and Eastern Fence

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  • 8:00am-10:00am: Pancake Breakfast + CWL Bake Sale  |  Mabou Hall  |  $10  |  in partnership with the Mabou Hall Committee

 

  • 8:00am: Annual Hugh Arnold Campbell Memorial Road Race  |  Mabou Fire Hall  |  Registration at 8am, Race to start at 9am  |  10km timed, 5km timed, 1.2km Fun Run  |  in partnership with the Campbell family

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  • 11:00am: Parade  |  Theme: Let's Celebrate!  |  Mabou Hall to Mabou Arena  |  Floats to meet from 10-10:30am 

2023 Parade Marshall, Katie Beaton and Ceilidh Couple, Marie and Pat MacDonald

Prizes available for: Best community float, best theme, and best business

Kids are encouraged to get involved! Decorate your bike and enter or get dressed up and walk with us!

Classic cars are encouraged to enter parade and stay after for the Show and Shine.

To get involved, please contact us at mabou_ceilidh_festival@gmail.com

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  • 12:00pm-2:00pm: Canada Day Picnic: Old Fashioned Games + Canada Day Cake + Car Show and Shine + BBQ in partnership with the Mabou Volunteer Fire Department + Cotton Candy + Face Painting with Joanna Clark + Dunk Tank + Touch-a-Truck: Kids get a chance to see Mabou's brand new fire truck!   |  Mabou Arena upper parking lot

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  • 1:30pm: 40th Annual Luathadh Mòr Mhàbu - Mabou Milling Frolic  |  An Drochaid, The Bridge Museum  |  Admission by donation, tea will be served  |  in partnership with the Mabou Gaelic & Historical Society

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  • 2:00pm: Beach Day Activities: Spike Ball Tournament & Sand Castle Competition |  West Mabou Beach  |  Sign up for sand castle competition starts at 1:30pm, and to register for spike ball, CLICK HERE  |  Sponsored by Breton Brewing and Big Spruce Brewing

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  • 2:00pm: “Futon” Don Campbell Memorial Horseshoe Tournament  |  Tulloch Field, Brook Village  |  in partnership with Brook Village Recreation Association

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  • 6:00pm: Family Movie Night: The Super Mario Bros. Movie  |  Mabou Fire Hall  |  Free  |  Cash canteen available

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  • 8:00pm-11:00pm: KitchenFest! Pub Night with Rodney MacDonald, Glenn Graham, Joël Chiasson, and Mary Beth Carty  |   Red Shoe Pub  |  $10, 19+

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  • 9:00pm-12:00am: KitchenFest! Family Square Dance with Howie MacDonald, Beverly MacLean, & Sandy MacDonald  |  West Mabou Hall  |  $10

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  • 10:00pm-1:00am: Outdoor Pub Night with Doyle and Co. + Andrea Beaton and Margie Beaton  |  Mabou Arena Outdoor Stage  |  $20, 19+  |  Bar services available, cash only  |  in partnership with the Mabou Arena  |  Sponsored by North End/Whycocomagh Home Building Supplies

SUNDAY, JULY 2

  • 8:00am: Softball Tournament with BBQ and Beer Tent   |  Tulloch Field, Brook Village, running all day  |  Contact Rankin MacEachern to register: 902-578-1516  |  in partnership with Brook Village Recreation Association  |  Sponsored by Vic Aucoin’s Electric and Eastern Fence

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  • 10:00am-11:00am: Outdoor Pioneer Mass  |  St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery  |  in partnership with St. Mary's Parish

 

  • 11:00am-1:00pm: Roast Beef Dinner  |  Mabou Hall  |  $20  |  in partnership with the Mabou Hall Committee

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  • 11:00am-2:00pm: Mabou Farmer’s Market  |  Mabou Arena

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  • 2:00pm: KitchenFest! Echoes of Glendale '73  |  Strathspey Performing Arts Centre  |  Tickets Here

 

  • 2:00pm: Lucky Duck Race + Pinecone & Pony Teddy Bear Picnic + Katie Beaton Reading  |  MacMillan’s Farm, Glendyer  |  $5/duck

Duck Race: Name your duck, e-transfer your payment to mabou.ceilidh.festival@gmail.com then watch the ducks race Sunday afternoon.

Picnic: After the race, bring your favourite teddy bear along and join us in the meadow (or barn if rain) for storytime with Katie as she reads from Pinecone and Pony. Snacks will be served.

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  • 6:00pm: Tug-of-War Competition  |  Dalbrae Track  |  Find a team of 10 and come join the fun!

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  • Please note: Usual Evening Community Concert moved to Sunday, July 16

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MONDAY, JULY 3

  • 2:00pm-6:00pm: Mabou Beer Festival in support of Mabou Communications  |  Mabou Hall  |  $30 + fees and tax, 19+  SOLD OUT

Enjoy an afternoon of live music from great local performers; Abbey Mullendore, Buckwheat Hotel, & Lookout Tower. Score some treasures at our Silent Auction, try your hand at Carnival Games from Mabou's original Ceilidh days. Treat yourself to catering from TASTE of PATEL and STAND & STUFF YOUR FACE, all while sampling great beers and ciders from Breton Brewing Co., Big Spruce Brewing, Candid Brewing Company, Island Folk Cider House & Route 19 Brewing!

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  • 9:00pm-12:30am: KitchenFest! Adult Square Dance with Ian MacDougall, Robbie Fraser, & Mac Morin  |  Brook Village Hall  |  $10, 19+

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