Bonjour Amis! C’est La Semaine Franco-Americaine!

Monday morning, in honor of St. Jean Baptiste Day and Franco-American Week, the City of Lowell raised the Quebec flag at City Hall.

Former Mayor Armand LeMay, with Mayor Murphy and Assistant to the City Manager Henri Marchand.

Lucien Dalpe, Franco-American Club President Kevin Roy, and Franco-American of the Year Therese Daigle.

Rev. Lucien Sawyer addresses the crowd

Former Mayor Armand LeMay leads the crowd in singing “O Canada”

The celebrations continue all week. Here is the schedule of events:

Franco-American Festival Week Schedule

Monday June 24:

7 p.m.: Vespers (evening prayer) in honor of St. Jean-Baptiste at Franco-American school grotto (357 Pawtucket St., Lowell) sponsored by the Franco-American Day Committee. Please bring your lawn chairs. In case of inclement weather, vespers will be held in the school chapel. After the prayer service, a wine and cheese social sponsored by Roland and Daniel Martin of the Roland W. Martin Funeral Home will be held in the school cafeteria. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Tuesday June 25:

2:30 p.m.: Québéçois Film Festival sponsored by La Librairie Populaire, at St. Rita’s Parish Hall (158 Mammoth Rd.). Films will be shown at 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is free.

Wednesday June 26:

4:30 p.m.: Ham and Bean Supper sponsored by the Franco-American Day Committee at the Ste. Marguerite d’Youville Parish Hall, 1340 Lakeview Ave., Dracut. The public is invited. Adults $7, Seniors $6, Children under 10-years-old $2. Family plan $15.

Thursday June 27:

6 p.m.: Learn how to Quadrille. Club Lafayette, 465 Fletcher St. Come and learn how to quadrille under the direction of Ray Paquin. The event is open to all ages, great for singles, couples and families. No partners needed. The public is invited. Free admission.

Friday June 28:

6:30 p.m.: Family Bingo Night in French at Ste. Marguerite d’Youville Parish Hall, 1340 Lakeview Ave., Dracut sponsored by Royal Arcanum ACA and Club Richelieu of Lowell. One card $2 and three cards $5. The public is invited.

Saturday June 29:

6 p.m.: La Famille LeBlanc from Livermore, Maine will present music that the Franco-Americans love. Soirée Franco-Américaine at the Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway St., Lowell. Admission is free and the public is invited.

Sunday June 30:

2 p.m.: Old Fashioned Game Party at St. Rita’s Parish Hall, 158 Mammoth Rd., sponsored by Royal Arcanum ACA. Bring your own deck of cards or games and friends also. Door prize will be given as well as a prize for the winner at each table. Free admission. The public is invited.