A St. Jean-Baptiste Day Celebration

The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine and the Franco Center invite you to a celebration of St. Jean-Baptiste Day! Join us at the Franco Center, 46 Cedar St. in Lewiston, on June 24, 2025 at 6 pm for the event. Ticket prices include dinner. This program is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Champoux Insurance, the Québec Delegation in Boston, and TV5MONDE. 

This collaboration between the USM Franco-American Collection and Franco Center promises to be an exciting tribute to St. Jean-Baptiste celebrations of days gone by. St. Jean-Baptiste, the patron saint of Québec, inspired large-scale parades, parties, and special religious masses in Lewiston between the late 19th century and the mid 20th century. Traditionally, a local boy with curly, blond hair would be selected to portray St. Jean-Baptiste in the parade–and don’t worry, we’ll have pictures to prove it! If you are one of these St. Jean-Baptistes, we hope you are able to join us this June 24th to be recognized at the event. 

The doors will open at 5pm, along with the cash bar. At 6 pm, dinner and conversation in French and English will begin. Music, featuring Robert Sylvain and Steve Muise and Don and Cindy Roy and contra dancing to follow.

The dinner menu will include Franco-American foods, featuring Pâté chinois, pea soup, and sugar pie for dessert. There will also be a vegetarian version of Pâté chinois, and a green salad and rolls. Water, lemonade and coffee drinks are free with your ticket, and sodas and bar drinks available for purchase. Ticket prices are as follows: 

Adults: $22

Seniors: $18 

Children 12 and under: $12