LEWISTON – The Franco American Heritage Center will host a group of Franco authors and composers at their booth at Le Festival De Joie on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1, 2 and 3, at Railroad Park.

This will be a first-time appearance for some of these authors and composers in the Lewiston/Auburn area. They will have their books, CDs and Franco materials on sale and will autograph them. There will be 11 present at intervals throughout the week.

Gerry Robichaud, 95, of Lewiston, will be present with his book, “Papa Martel,” ready to sign his book and tell his stories. A new publication of his book took place this year.

Michael Parent, a native Lewistonian will be available on Friday evening to meet old friends and make new ones. Parent is a former St. Dominic Regional High School graduate where he was named All-New England Goalie in the early ’60s. After seven years as a high school English teacher, Parent embarked on a new career as a storyteller, singer, writer and workshop leader.

Today he is an entertainer extraordinaire. He specializes in storytelling and has performed traditional and original stories in English and French in the U.S. and beyond since 1977. He received the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence Award in 1999.

Denis Ledoux, owner of Soleil Press in Lisbon, will attend with his own writings. He is a Franco historian, a member of the board of directors of the Franco-American Heritage Center and specializes in “Turning Memoirs into Memories.”

Norman Beaupre of Biddeford, founder of the annual “La Kermesse Festival,” will be present with his books, “Le Petit Mangeur de Fleurs” and Lumineau.” He has also authored “L’Enclume et le couteau,” the life and work of Adelard Cote. The book is out of print. Beaupre is instrumental in the movement to preserve and pass on the French heritage and culture.

Doris Faucher, another Biddeford resident, has authored two books, “The Virgin Forest” and “The Rapids.” She is doing research on the Franco-Americans of New England and will write a book on that subject. Her husband, Norman Faucher, who acts as her marketing agent, will also be on hand to discuss other projects they have worked on over the past several years.

Composer musician Adelard “Del” Huot has recorded several CDs and will offer them on sale at the festival. He is a well known violinist and has produced numerous albums. Among them are “Who Knows,” “Lament” and “Just a Kiss.”

Rhea Cote Robbins authored “Wednesday’s Child,” a creative nonfiction memoir about growing up and living Franco-American. Now in its fourth printing, the book is a defiant and poignant memoir that transcends the personal. Robbins was born and brought up in Waterville, has spent many years researching the origins and visiting the hometowns of her people in France and Canada.

Adrienne Lepage is originally from New Brunswick, Canada, and resides in Saco. There she sits on the rocks with her feet in the water and writes poetry. Her book of poems is titled “Fleurs et Coquillages/Flower Petals and Seashells.” The book includes 110 poems in French and English. She contributes one poem a year to the National Poetry Society.

Julianna L’Heureux has been a staff writer for the Portland newspapers and numerous other papers throughout the state for several years. She writes on a regular basis for the French publications that are still in circulation in the state. Her writings feature stories and information about the Franco-American population of Maine. She is a Brunswick resident.

Henry Gosselin for several years was the editor of the Church World newspaper. He enjoys writing on his own time. He resides in Brunswick.

William Moran, although not a Franco-American himself, married one and is involved and interested in the history and backgrounds of all Canadian immigrants. His writings are based on that and more.