Donald Teuma-Castelletti
CALUMET ISLAND
June 24, 2018
In a spectacle described to organizers as something residents only ever expected to see on television, St. Jean Baptiste Day celebrations returned to Calumet Island with food, drinks and plenty of live entertainment in the form of music and African drums.
In a joint effort between the municipality and their local recreation association, the free event saw over 500 guests as the party ran from the early afternoon through to nearly 11 p.m., culminating with a grand finale in true holiday fashion with a grand fireworks show along the Ottawa River.
“We haven’t had a St. Jean Baptiste celebration in who knows how many years,” said R.A. President Lyne Tremblay. “As a new team on the recreation association, I think it turned out pretty good.”
With the plan to have a party in light of the provincial holiday coming together quickly – the group had decided just at the end of May to host one and quickly received support from the municipality before running ahead with it – there was much planned.
Starting off with a bit of history, the event began with a lesson on the importance of the day to Quebec, as well as a look at the history of their home island. Soon after, music began with a series of musical performances from both locals and guests.
While Jean-Guy Beaudry broke up the afternoon with his juggling and unicycling show providing laughs to children and adults, many guests raved about the drums and dancing performance of the Burundi Drummers. Tremblay said many told her that it was a show they’d never expect to experience in their community and enjoyed just how different it was from what they were used to seeing.
Following this, the island’s own Poutine Wolf String Band took the stage, continuing to amaze the party-goers. Tremblay said this too had received great praise, with many unaware that their home was privy to such a talented bunch.
Continuing the trend of exposing the community to varied talent, the day culminated with the explosive drumming of the Cobra du Mandingue’s performance, smoothed out by councillor James Azola’s French tunes and rounded out by the instrumental grooves of Zal Sissokho, all before the night was capped off with the firework display.
“With everything we had to do, it’s great it all came together,” said Tremblay.
Entrance to the site at the recreation association was completely free, with donations accepted at the choice of guests. Concessions were available for purchase and proved popular, as the homemade chili sold out entirely.
Tremblay expressed that the whole day was a bigger success than they ever expected, especially as the attendance grew through the afternoon. Keeping track at the door, a security guard was excited to share that they had counted over 400 attendees by 8 p.m. that night, crossing the 500 mark just 15 minutes ahead of the grand finale.
In total, the event saw 522 people come through the gates.
Though they had never imagined reaching that large of an attendance, it made for a sweet bonus for all their efforts.
“The main idea was to create an opportunity for the people of the island to get together and celebrate St. Jean Baptiste, and to have it at home was very special,” said Tremblay.
As well, being the first party of its size for the community in a few years, Tremblay said the feedback was greatly appreciative for the event going forward.
“We’ve taken tons of notes and heard comments about what to do next year, but you can bet your boots we’ll be bigger and better,” she said, with a laugh.
