Pontiacers were able to “get their green on” as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations resumed for the first time since the pandemic started. Below you will find the events that The Equity attended.
St. Patrick’s Day in Chichester
Jeremy Morse
Chichester March 23, 2022
In Chichester, a lively St. Patrick’s Day celebration took place at George’s Regal Beagle. The venue hosted an energetic crowd and a traditional Irish band.
“What more could you ask for?” said George Picard, the bar’s owner. March 17 is the Regal Beagle’s busiest day of the year according to Picard.
This is the first St. Patrick’s Day to be held at the Regal Beagle since the . . .
start of the pandemic. “I just hope that everybody has a great day on St. Paddy’s Day and do the same thing all year long, enjoy yourself,” said Picard.
Jennifer Jennings visited from nearby Sheenboro. “We came to have a drink with neighbours and have a visit and listen to some Irish music,” she said.
For Jennings, St. Patrick’s Day is a milestone for warmer days ahead. “It’s the sign of hope. It announces that spring is here.”
Adam’s Buoys, a five-piece folk band, were responsible for the event’s eclectic sounds. The band consists of lead singer and guitarist Andrew Jones, fiddle player Jordan Adam, drummer Brad Lapensee, bassist Brendan Adam and harmonica player Stewart Adam.
“Things are starting to open up again and we want to play,” said Jordan Adam. “It’s hard because not a lot of young people are still getting into [fiddle music], but I think getting out there, playing it, having more young people come out, eventually it will catch on again,” he said.
Adam’s uncle, L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Councillor Brian Adam is quite proud of his nephews. Adam was the director for the Annual Pembroke Old Time Fiddle and Step Dancing Championship for over 45 years. “I grew up in this area, I was raised on country music and fiddle music,” said Adam.
“St. Patrick’s Day is an opportunity for us all to celebrate our Irish heritage if we are fortunate enough to have some, but for many, many, many people, everybody’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, especially in Pontiac County.”
St. Patrick’s Day in Campbell’s Bay
Jeremy Morse
Campbell’s bay March 23, 2022
In Campbell’s Bay, The Baie Inn celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with live music, friends and family.
“It’s a party, it’s family everybody knows each other and it’s a great atmosphere,” said Lynn Morin, the Inn’s co-owner. “My grandmother would be so proud to be here.”
For some of those in-attendance, the rustic, red brick building is a second home.
“On ordinary Friday nights, we meet here and we laugh, and we share, and we joke, but today is very, very special because it’s St. Paddy’s,” said Claudette Stanton, Morin’s mother-in-law. “It’s old, but there’s memories that we share.”
Decorating in green for St. Patrick’s Day
Zainab Al-Medhar
Campbells Bay March 17, 2022
Les maisons des jeunes du Pontiac, celebrated St. Patrick’s with a cupcake decorating contest. With a host of green-coloured sprinkles and icing. The best ones win a little prize, said Allyssa Boughner.
“St Patrick’s Day to me is truly about being about to honour the Irish culture while paying respect to the true reason for St. Patrick’s day which is honouring the loss of St. Patrick himself,” said Boughner.
They chose today’s activity because the kids love to eat, and that’s
how they wanted to celebrate, laughed Boughner.
As for what the kids learned, Boughner highlighted that they chose to create an open discussion about what they have learned when it comes to the meaning of St. Patrick’s Day over the years.
“Allowing them to tell us why they choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This followed by sharing the story behind how St. Patrick’s Day became such a widely celebrated day,” she said.
Being an animator for almost a year, Boughner noted that she enjoys doing all the activities with the kids, and seeing all the excitement on their faces.
A green spirit day
Zainab Al-Medhar
Shawville March 17, 2022
As one of their spirit day events, the students of Pontiac High School wore green to celebrate. The student government hosts these spirit days for fun but also to raise awareness for different events.
The students also set up a canteen to give students the opportunity to buy treats at a reduced price. “So most of the kids really like that they can buy a treat or like a snack for $1, which is usually cheaper than some places,” said Brenda Davis.
She added that these are all part of ongoing student government fundraising initiatives to help the school community students and the larger Pontiac community where they can.
“It’s just awesome getting to know that I’m helping out the school and the well-being of the students and I just love helping out,” said Allie Benoit, a student at PHS.
Helping to serve his classmates, William Oullette, who was volunteering at the canteen said, “It allows us to use the money that we raised to allow more things to happen at the school and so it benefits everyone.”
