Wedgeport

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Wedgeport in Nova Scotia

Wedgeport is a rural French Acadian fishing community located in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, Canada.

History

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1901	1,026	—
1911	1,392	+35.7%
1921	1,424	+2.3%
1931	1,294	−9.1%

Wedgeport was settled in 1767 by returning Acadians who had been deported from Nova Scotia to the Boston area. The village of Wedgeport was formally called Tusket Wedge, and was also at one time called the "Chebec". In 1909 by an Act of Parliament, it was changed to Wedgeport.

On May 16, 1910, the community of Wedgeport was incorporated with Upper Wedgeport and Lower Wedgeport and became a town separate from the Municipality of Argyle. On December 22, 1948, the town of Wedgeport was disincorporated and rejoined the Municipality of Argyle because the town's tax base became too small to support its obligations.

In the 20th century, many famous Americans and Canadians traveled here due to large amounts of tuna in the area, including Babe Ruth, President Franklin Roosevelt, Kate Smith, Gene Tunney, Amelia Earhart, Ernest Hemingway, Jean Béliveau, Ethel du Pont, Thomas Gifford, Zane Grey and Tony Hulman. It is known as the Historic Sport Tuna Fishing Capital of the World.

Present day

Wedgeport hosts the annual Festival Acadien de Wedgeport each summer. The Festival celebrates Canadian and Acadian heritage and includes concerts, variety shows, a parade, an Acadian pageant, traditional costumes, dances and a softball tournament. The Wedgeport Tuna Tournament & Festival is also held each year in August. The community is home to many fishermen and fishery companies.