World Acadian Congress means booming business for some Island merchants

The major events of theWorld Acadian Congress may be moving from P.E.I. to the mainland on National Acadian Day, but it appears the benefits to the local economy will last for quite some time.

Some businesses in the Evangeline Region and surrounding areathat hosted the congress say they have seen more tourism traffic and dollars than usual for this time of year.

"I knew that there's going to be a certain amount of spinoff, not only the community but the restaurant and the service station," said Miscouche Mayor Albert Gallant.

He saidthecongress covered all the expenses related to hosting the event in his community.He says it's not only good for local businesses but a chance topromote his town as well.

In 1884, the official Acadian flag was established at the second National Acadian Convention in Miscouche.

Hosting the congresswas a change of pace for some smaller businesses. Food truck High onthe Hog Smokin' BBQspent a lot of timepreparing by cooking massive batches of pulled pork and brisket and smoking a lot of ribs.

"It's very exciting. Like, we are run off our feet but it's quite an adrenaline rush and it's nice," said food truck partner Gail Tuplin.

She estimatedthey are selling roughly twice as many meals every day compared to a normal day.

She said the extra revenue will go along way toward covering all theirstartup costs.

"It definitely pays for the equipment that we have already paid for out of pocket," Tuplin said.

The owner of Cook's Corner Convenience and Cafeplanned ahead and juggled staff to work extra hours during the festivities.

"We've been lucky because we're kind of in a central location where we're seeing the traffic of everybody passing by," said Jonathan Gallant.

"Last weekend itwas up in Abram-Village, Evangeline area and we saw most of the traffic heading up thereit was great because they'd stop in and they'd see what we had to offer."

He estimates saleshavebeen up at least 25 per cent over the past few days.

The World Acadian Congress will begin the National Acadian Day celebration in Miscouche with a ceremonial flag raising. Congress events will then continue in Dieppe, N.B..

The congress will continueuntil Aug.24.

More P.E.I. news