History

Cherry trees were first introduced to this region from England by William Sutherland in the late 18th century. They were planted on the upper flat of Clarke's Marsh.

By approximately 1910, it was recorded that the oldest of these trees had been felled around the year 1840, having attained a remarkable size.

A 19th-century historical account of Annapolis County—formerly known as the district of Clements—includes a solemn warning: "A curse will be upon the people and a blight upon the trees if a monument be not erected to the memory of him who first brought them here."

FACT: The Blight did come and the trees did die.

In 1902, the first Provincial Department of Agriculture established a model cherry orchard in Bear River to promote interest in the cultivation of Bear River Cherries.

The inaugural Bear River Cherry Carnival was held in 1893 to celebrate the end of the haying season, and—except for interruptions during the Second World War and the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022)—has continued to the present day.

Historically, the event attracted visitors by the boatload, with attendees arriving from as far away as Grand Manan and Freeport, Nova Scotia.

Today, visitors from across North America travel to Bear River to take part in the Cherry Carnival. We thank you for joining us in celebrating this unique and historically significant event.