St. Jean-Baptiste Day Celebration 2013
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.
