Arsenault family's high flying acrobatics a hit at the Evangeline Acadian Festival

Gerry Arsenault and his family spent the weekend flying through the air entertaining visitors at the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival in Abram Village.

Arsenault along with his brother and son swing on ropes, dance and wrestle all while 30 metres up in the air.

The act has been a draw for visitors at the festival since the 1980s and Arsenault says he does it, "All for the fun of it."

Each year, Arsenault and his family spend the winter coming up with new tricks to wow the crowd.

'People's backyards are our gym'

This year his son, who is in a wheelchair, is part of the show with his father sending him down the zipline. Last year, his 94-year-old mother took part in the show. She was involved in amockrescue from one bucket truck to another, she was playing the roleof victimsaid Arsenault.

"I had to push her a little bit, she didn't want to do it. 'No one wants to see an old lady,' she said. Hey they all came cause of her, she stole the show."

Arsenault, who isin his 60s said he stays in good performing shape from the work he does each day taking down trees.

"People's backyards are our gym. We take down trees every day so it's a good work out," he said. "The nature of the work I do is hanging from tree tops all the time...so it's just become a part of an extended work day."

'He still dances on top of the pole'

While Arsenault has retired and returned to performing a few stunts, festival organizer Alcide Bernard said the show is good for the festival.

"It's something you don't see any other place and it's a risky thing that you think is he going to fall down or what's going to happen," said Bernard.

"He still dances on top of the pole like he did a show yesterday and he's the same Gerry as we had in 1988."

Bernard said the show draws a different crowd thatstays and enjoys the rest of the festival.

Arsenault has tried to giveup performing, retiring twice and coming back both times.He retired at 50, returned at 55 then left again at 60 and came back at age 65.

"There's something missing here. I'd come here and think let's start this up again ... it's in the blood after a while," he said.

"You're never too old I don't think"

Arsenault said he does plan to retire for good in two years.

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