Franco-American in Maine generally refers to descendants of French-Canadian families who migrated south to work in the mill cities of the Androscoggin and Saco river valleys. Acadian refers to the descendants of French settlers of Acadia, concentrated in the upper St. John Valley along the New Brunswick border. They are related but distinct communities with different histories, and the 2026 calendar reflects both: La Kermesse Franco-Americaine in Biddeford in June and the Acadian Festival in Madawaska in August.
Also known as: Franco, Acadien.
