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GRAND ETANG, N.S. — Improvements to the Centre de la Mi-Carême in Grand Étang is expected to extend the tourism season in the Acadian region in northern Inverness County.

The community centre, operated by the Société Mi-Carême, is considered a key piece of cultural infrastructure by the federal government.

Upgrades to the roof and windows as well as indoor renovations will allow the Centre de la Mi-Carême to expand its cultural programming to visitors year-round, including new workshops and dinner theatres. The community centre will also be better equipped to promote Acadian heritage to visitors and accommodate both tourists and residents during the annual Mi-Carême festival that takes place in March.

Mi-Carême is a mid-Lent tradition in the Acadian culture where people dress up in disguise and go from house to house asking for treats, singing and dancing in the Mumming tradition.

The federal government is providing $53,000 for the project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s business development program.

The province is contributing $38,000 to the renovations and the Municipality of the County of Inverness is investing $4,400.

Speaking on behalf of federal Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, Cape Breton-Canso MP Rodger Cuzner said in a release that Grand Etang is one of the few communities left in the world that still participates in Mi-Carême.

“This investment ensures that this historical tradition will continue for generations while bringing visitors to Cape Breton outside of the traditional tourism season,” Cuzner said.

“Off-season tourism is important as it can lead to demand for year-round employment and help generate activity in the local economy.”

In 2017, the Centre de la Mi-Carême welcomed 78 visiting bus tours and more than 5,000 visitors.

The Centre de la Mi-Carême offers interpretation, guided tours, a gift shop with handmade products such as masks, hooked rugs and local treats. Mask-making and costume-building workshops are also offered year-round to visitors.

“We are very appreciative of being able to work so closely with the three levels of government to value such a unique cultural icon and develop new Acadian tourism products to help diversify and grow the local economy,” said Monique Aucoin, president of Société Mi-Carême.

Founded in 2015, the Société Mi-Carême is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board. The organization employs several workers, including up to six students during the summer season.