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Download The
2008 Visitors Guide
(PDF Format)

French Festival

The 40th Annual French Festival will be Saturday July 12th to Sunday, July 13th, 2008. The festivities on  Saturday, July 12th include the following:

MR. GEORGE ELMER MASTER OF CEREMONIES

7:00am to 11:00am
PANCAKE BREAKFAST  at St. John’s Church on Market Street. 

8:00am
FRENCH PASTRY & FRENCH BREAD on sale at Fire Hall 

10:00am
ALL CRAFTS & EXHIBITORS open for the day

10:30am to 2:00pm & 3:30pm to 6:00pm
CHILDREN'S PROGRAM featuring Sweetheart the Clown & Bob Gibbons and Catskill Puppets

11:00am
OFFICIAL OPENING, Reviewing Stand, Broadway
               Welcome by Mayor and Town Supervisor
                Crowning of French Festival Queen
                Presentation of Queens Court
                Proclamation by French Festival Queen

LA NOUVELLE FRANCE-FRENCH MUSIC AND DRESS

2:00pm
PARADE - Napoleon will lead the parade; includes Floats, Bands and Other Attractions. Over 50 units

4:00pm
Awards at Reviewing Stand-trophies to winning bands and floats by the French Festival Queen

4:15pm to 8:00pm
Band Performances-front of the reviewing stand
                             The following bands have attended in the past:
                             Sea Cadets
                             Syracuse Fire – Police Band
                             Antwerp Drum & Bugle Corp (Original Yanks)
                             Spirit of 69 Drum & Bugle Corp
                             Highland Mist Pipe Band
                             The Island Band
                             Sons of Scotland Pipes & Drums

7:00 pm
FESTIVAL MASS at St. Vincent of Paul Church (Spoken in French)

9:30 pm
FIREWORKS on the Breakwall on the waterfront

Sunday, July 13th with the following happenings:
9:00am to 3:00pm
ARTS & CRAFT SHOW & SALE

12:00am to 3:00pm
HISTORICAL MUSEUM ON JAMES STREET WILL BE OPEN

11:00
Alumni vs. High School Scholarship Soccer game  at Cape Vincent Elementary School. Players should report by 10:45 am.

12:00pm to 3:00pm
Concert on “The Green”              

The following bands have  performed at the reviewing stand and in the parade:

The Sons of Scotland Pipes and Drums -- This band is a group of people dedicated to playing and preserving Highland Bagpipe Music. Think of the skirl of the pipes and the wearing of tartans and you think of Scotland. The Sons of Scotland Pipes and Drums, wear the Campbell of Argyle Tartan, signifying a connection to one of the most powerful clans in all of the mystic land of Scotland. The first band was formed in 1896. The band will be participating in the Piper and Pipe Band Society of Ontario competition circuit in 1998. The Sons of Scotland Pipes and Drums performs thirty to thirty five events annually. They perform at numerous types of events. They can provide a Full Band or a Solo Piper for any of these events. They are committed to preserving the Scots traditional music.

Spirit of 69 Marching Band -- Based in Arnprior, Ontario, this is the Spirit of 69s second appearance in the Annual French Festival Parade. The band is unique in that its members range in age from preteen to over 65. Averaging over 20 performances annually since its formation in 1990, the band has won many parade awards and is a crowd favorite everywhere it plays. Valley residents will recall having seen the bands bright red and white colors at Canada Day celebrations and at numerous festivals throughout Eastern Ontario, Western Quebec and Northern New York State. Using drum corps style instruments, the band strives for quality sound and showmanship in public. Whether participating in a big city parade, moving down a village street, or playing a mini concert to street-side audiences, the bands repertoire is varied and extremely crowd pleasing.

For more information on the Festival call the Chamber of Commerce office at 315-654-2481. CRAFTERS & EXHIBITORS call Pat Weston at 315-654-2165 for an application or you can download it below.
(Download French Festival Crafter Application - PDF)
 

(Download French Festival Parade Application - PDF)
For  parade questions please contact Dave Parker at dappydoo@tds.net.