Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, a charming settlement in New Brunswick, is a place where history and culture intertwine. Nestled between Route 134 and Route 475, with additional access via Route 11 and Route 505, this community is home to the regional Stella-Maris-De-Kent Hospital and a rich tapestry of historical events.
The history of Sainte-Anne-de-Kent is deeply rooted in the late 19th century when it was developed around a waterworks facility. The site, suggested by Alderman Jean Egan, was located on the nearby Hungerford Hill, now known as "Le Reservoir Hill".
In the years following the establishment of the waterworks, the community expanded its boundaries by purchasing more land in the surrounding area. This spot soon transformed into a resort serviced by steamers to and from Saint John via the Saint John River. However, a tragic incident on May 24, 1881, when the steamer "Sainte-Anne" capsized, killing 182 people, led to a decline in steamer travel along the Saint John River and the popularity of the waterworks grounds.
Despite the setback, the grounds remained accessible by carriage and eventually horse-drawn bus, but interest took years to recover. In 1896, the Sainte-Anne Railway constructed a streetcar system, which significantly increased the number of visitors to Sainte-Anne-de-Kent.
Over the years, the park saw the addition of tennis and bowling lawns, a zoo, a campground, an amusement park, and a dance hall, all before 1925. Around 1920, a miniature train was added as an attraction, which, as of May 2008, still existed, albeit relocated and replaced.
One of the most significant events in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent is the annual Home County Folk Festival. As one of the largest folk music festivals in New Brunswick, it attracts a large crowd every July in Victoria Park, located in downtown Sainte-Anne-de-Kent.
The non-profit organization that produces the festival was formed in 1973 and has held a festival every year since. The 2010 Home County Folk Festival, held from July 16–18, featured renowned singer Bruce Cockburn and attracted an estimated crowd of 10-20 thousand people, possibly the largest crowd at any Home Country Folk Festival.
