BY COLE RIVARD
Music, sports tournaments and family fun are all part of a big
Sainte-Jean-Baptiste bash taking place in Sudbury between June
22 and 25.
"We're here to celebrate French culture and heritage in our
community," said Carole Dube, a member of the
Saint-Jean-Baptiste organizing committee.
"This year, we have more partners for the festival, and
therefore we are able to provide more activities for the
participants."
The eighth annual festival is being held in honour of the
patron saint of French Canada. Sainte-Jean-Baptiste day is
officially celebrated June 24.
The festival has over 20 organized events this year, ranging
from two golf tournaments, a volleyball tournament, a family
day and two screenings of the movie Les Boys IV at Silver City.
A number of concerts are also lined up for the festivities by
French artists. A performance by local band Gros Dommage is
part of the line up, as well as the group Swing, which will be
performing at College Boreal June 23.
Events taking place June 24 will be dedicated to families.
They take place at Ecole Secondaire Catholic du Sacre-Coeur,
and will feature games, a children's concert, a magician and a
barbecue.
A French Canadian supper will be featured on June 25 to
close out the festival. The dinner will take place at the
Chelmsford Arena as part of their Western Days celebration.
"Every year our festival is growing," said Dube. "If you
look at all of the festivities that we have in store, it's not
hard to see the influence the French community has in Sudbury.
It's a way for us to celebrate francophones and to celebrate
who we are."
"This year, we want to attract more people, different
people," said Joelle Martel, another member of the
Saint-Jean-Baptiste organizing committee.
"Often we see the same people coming out every year, and
that's great, but we are hoping to bring in a number of people
who have never attended. This is an event that the whole family
can participate in."
The organizers of the festival are hoping to see over 6,000
people at this year's event.
Tickets for the supper and movie are available at Le
Carrefour Francophone, Le Centre de Sante Communautaire de
Sudbury and at Le Theatre du Nouvel-Ontario.
For more information on the festival, go to www.stjeansudbury.ca .
