Kentville, located only 103kms from Halifax, is today the most populous and increasingly growing town in all of the Annapolis Valley.

The recorded history of the Town of Kentville is one that dates back to the time of the first European settlers, the horse drawn carriage and the CP railway. This area of Nova Scotia, along the famous Bay of Fundy, was initially settled by the Mi’Kmaq Indians who were the first settlers in Canada, centuries before the Europeans found the land and claimed it as their own. The Mi’Kmaq referred to this area as Penook which meant “fording place,” because of its location at the bend in the Cornwallis River, a natural crossing point between Horton and Cornwallis townships.

Kentville is located in the Annapolis Valley, which is considered one of North America’s richest agricultural districts. The terrain of this area is rugged and irregular, but more hilly than mountainous. The lowlands are suitable for farmers and are found around the shores of the Bay of Fundy and in the Annapolis Valley. Residents enjoy more sunny days per year than almost any other community in Nova Scotia. As the province is a peninsula and is nearly surrounded by the ocean, the climate is more temperate, cooler summers and winters less severe than in other part of Eastern Canada. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current offshore, adds to the warmer winters.

Springtime in Kentville is always a celebrated season, as it brings renewed life, the promise of a bountiful harvest, and a beautiful lushness to the surrounding countryside.

While the rest of the world fell victim to the Great Depression of the 1930s, the first Apple Blossom Festival was celebrated in Kentville, during the spring of 1932. Great local music, a beauty pageant, a Blossom Ball, and a parade were featured and tens of thousands of people attended. The town recently celebrated its 72nd annual Apple Blossom Festival, which saw the attendance rise to over 60,000 people.

Kentville not only celebrates the beginning of the harvest season, but also the end. The annual Harvest Festival is held the beginning of each October and welcomes not only the world famous “Pumpkin People” by thousands of visitors who make the town a destination point, during their autumn tour of the province. Activities involve hay wagon rides, crafts, community bands, buskers, competitions, and lots of great things to eat.

Every Christmas season the towns’ people gather for the annual Torchlight Parade and Christmas party. This involves the lighting of the huge Christmas tree in the center of town, a visit from Santa, a skating party of the local arena, entertainment and some delicious hot apple cider.

Kentville has much to be proud of. It has the highest per capita ratio of professionals than any other place in Canada; it plays host to national level sporting events in and on first class facilities; it has a delightful downtown core with renowned restaurants, pubs, cafés, a live theatre, museums and historic sites; and is the centre of commerce and medicine. Seen as a most desirable place to live and work, Kentville is poised on the brink of much commercial and residential development.

The history of industry in Kentville is rooted in agriculture. The town has played host to the traditional industries of the time such as coal, timber, dairies, bakeries, food processing and local fruit stands. Manufacturing industries began to bloom after the surge of the industrial revolution of the late 19th century.

The Town of Kentville is known for the production of the first automobile in Nova Scotia. In 1910, an automobile name the MacKay rolled out of the Carriage Factory on Cornwallis Street in Kentville. Four years later the factory had produced 200 cars.

The Annapolis Valley Regional Industrial Park, one of Kentville’s most active business centers, was opened in September of 1979 and covers approximately 200 acres. The park has over 40 businesses and industries and is considered the economical core for large business sectors.

Source - http://www.town.kentville.ns.ca