St. Jean-Baptiste Day Celebration 2013

frenchtown

The Frenchtown Historical  Foundation and Three Rivers Winery have joined together to host a celebration of  our region’s French-Canadian heritage on Saturday, June 22, 2013.

Events include an historic cabin-site tour, dedication of the new interpretive shelter at the  Frenchtown Historic Site, and music, dancing, food, and fine wine at Three  Rivers Winery.  The free driving  tour of Frenchtown cabin sites will begin promptly at 3:30 at the Frenchtown  Historic site on Old Hwy 12, two miles west of Whitman Mission. The dedication of the new Frenchtown Interpretive Shelter is slated for 5:00 pm, and then it’s off to Three Rivers Winery at 5:30 for an evening of French-Canadian  music,  fur  trade era songs, and dancing performed and led by the Frenchtown Dance Troupe on  the patio. Wine from Three Rivers  and food by the Dog House Grill will be available for purchase, including  specialty items for vegetarians and all tastes.

Admission to the event  is $10, which will go for the upkeep of  the Frenchtown Historic Site.  The  public is encouraged to attend any and all of the festivities.

Brief History of St. Jean-Baptiste  Day

What St. Patrick’s Day is for the Irish, St. Jean  Baptiste Day is for French-Canadians. This celebration of French-Canadian culture has been  observed annually since 1834 throughout Canada and in northern parts of the U.S.  around the birthday of Quebec’s patron saint, John the Baptist.  Ringing of  bells, public dances and fairs, bonfires and fireworks are common elements of  the day, with many celebrants opting to wear the traditional  blue and white colors of  Quebec.

The 27-acre Frenchtown Historic Site is open daily from  dawn to dusk with no admission charge. For more information go to www.frenchtownpartners.org.