Travel and Tourism News

Sponsored by French Colonial Ste. Genevieve, Inc. French Heritage Society, and The Charron Institute, Ste. Genevieve MO Celebrates the French Colonial Heritage of America

STE. GENEVIEVE, MO - May 31 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Colonial French America comes alive at the French Heritage Festival in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, on June 11-12, 2005, French Colonial Ste. Genevieve, Inc., French Heritage Society, and The Charron Institute, announced today.

History buffs, lovers of the French colonial architecture, culture and wines are invited to attend history theatre and lectures, sing French songs, listen to French music, dance to the Cajun band, sip wine, study architectural preservation amid the largest collection of French Colonial architecture in North America, and tour the Ste. Genevieve wine country. The festival is free. Entrance to some activities such as the wine tasting, antique auction and sale, historic theater ranges from $3 to $10. FHS is organizing French speaking opportunities for both days.

"On this weekend, we mix history with fun. The French heritage in the United States is deep. Ste. Genevieve was founded about 1740. The French colonials here had a lot of fun, with singing and dancing. During the French Heritage Festival, we keep alive the spirit of a culture whose architecture still survives," says Donna Charron, festival chair.

"People are surprised to learn that Ste. Genevieve has the largest collection of colonial vertical log houses in North America -- more than Quebec and Louisiana. We have the festival because we want everyone to know of these historic treasures. President Bush recently recognized the national landmark Bolduc House owned and preserved by the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of Missouri. And the National Park Service has been requested to develop a National French Heritage Park here," she added.

The festival opens Saturday morning at 11 a.m. with a Grand Promenade, inviting all visitors to join the march through the historic district to the town square. Hundreds of balloons will be released and Ste. Genevieve's the King and Queen will shower the crowd with bushels of candy.

Saturday activities include visiting historic gardens and houses, munching grayfish and Cajun brats, listening to the music of the Peacock Family, Paula and Bruce Dustman, Les Petits Chanteurs, and others. At 1:30 p.m., "Deja vu Spirits" perform history theater in Missouri's oldest cemetery. At 4:30 p.m. the Ste Genevieve French militia in encampment demonstrates colonial crafts and trades. At 6:30 p.m. local residents perform French colonial dances in the herb garden of the Felix Valle historic site. Participants don period attire.

The day ends with the Wine Garden and Street Dance with Dennis Stroughmatt leading his Cajun Stomp Band and lecturing on French fiddle music. At 11 p.m., the French fiddler leads the promenade du soir through the historic district to the Church.

Sunday, the Festival moves to Chaumette Winery in Ste. Genevieve County. The schedule begins with a noon concert in the winery's Chapel, followed by wine tasting, videos of Missouri French speakers, French fiddle lecture, Heraldry display, winery tours, and more tradition, Cajun, and Creole music until 5 p.m. Lunch is available by reservation only. (Call Chaumette Winery: 573-747-1000.)

Concurrent with the French Festival, the French Heritage Society and The Charron Institute sponsor Parlez Francais, two days of French speaking, lunch, and private tours. (Cost is $35/day ($20 for students.) All levels of French speaking are accommodated. RSVP for Parlez Francais to 314-863-6550. Prepayment required.

Also on this same weekend is French Colonial Ste. Genevieve's annual Antique Show and Sale ($3). From 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. June 11 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12. A preopening reception is held Friday, June 10, starting at 6 p.m. The show has more than 30 dealers from several states with 19th and 20th century antiques from the Americas and Europe.

The Charron Institute is a nonprofit 501(c) organization sponsoring programs in cultural, intellectual, and public affairs



NEWS SOURCE: The Charron Institute

Send2Press® is the originating wire service for this story.

PRESS RELEASE PERMALINK: http://www.send2press.com/newswire/2005-05-0531-004.shtml

For more information about this news release, contact The Charron Institute directly through their Web site found in the above press release, and NOT Send2Press.