5 fun ideas for a great St. Jean Baptiste party

St. Jean Baptiste Day is increasingly celebrated throughout the country. These five festive ideas will give your St. Jean Baptiste Day party more flair, fun and meaning this year.

When you're planning your St. Jean Baptiste Day celebration, remember the reason for this important season. Originally a faith-based observance in many French-Canadian communities, this special holiday has evolved to become a time to commemorate the many nationalities, cultures and ethnic groups represented across the provinces.

Light up your St. Jean Baptiste party with lots of strand lights, glowing stars and candles. Celebrating with lights pays homage to the bonfires lit to honour St. Jean Baptiste and provides a warm, cozy glow to your party venue. Inexpensive flame-less candles are a safe alternative if you have small children or pets.

St. Jean Baptiste Day is the perfect occasion to try a unique recipe or add something new to your party menu. Serve some traditional items, such as lamb dishes and individual-sized loaves of bread, but don't be afraid to offer favourite Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian, or other popular dishes and a selection of good Canadian beer.

Many traditional St. Jean Baptiste Day celebrations start with a big, communal bonfire that helps warm chilly nights. During the bonfire, the community gathers to cook, eat, relax and celebrate this special holiday.

Parades have been a part of St. Jean Baptiste Day for generations and typically were the highlight of the beginning of the week-long St. Jean Baptiste celebrations. Historically, parades were created to honour St. Jean, and his saintly personality was usually represented by a lamb or flock of sheep. Incorporate this religious symbol in your own festive event, and plan a parade or simply march around the venue. Ask a party guest to portray St. Jean and lead the procession.