St. Jean Baptiste party returns to the island with drums, dancing

2018-06-26 Liz Draper 217 Views topstory

The return of a St. Jean Baptiste party to Calumet Island made a big splash, with a variety of performances and over 500 guests seen. Pictured, Martine Charles of Cobra du Maringue helped lead the African drumming show in the early evening.

Jean-Guy Beaudry was a huge hit for the afternoon, entertaining kids and adults with his juggling and balancing acts.

With events running from 1 p.m. through till nearly 11 at night, the party was considered a huge success for the organizers. Pictured, James Azola leads his band in some evening jams.

The night’s performances were rounded out by the grooves of Zal Sissokho and his band, before fireworks were set off at 10 p.m.

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.

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