Fête de la St-Jean - with D'jef!

One Ticket is for one whole table, not for one seat. Please choose a Quantity of "1" for one whole table.

Poutine, beer, and musique avec master-chansonnier... D'jef! Downstairs at the Firehall Brewery, below the “Old Firehall” on Main Street (parking in the back alley). Donation jar at the bar for the musician. 

Venez célébrer avec nous la St-Jean Baptiste au Firehall Brewery situé au sous-sol du “Old Firehall” sur Main Street (stationnement à l’arrière). Poutine, bière, et musique avec le chansonnier D'jef vous attend! Entrée par donation pour le musicien.

June 24 is the Fête de la St-Jean Baptiste, which is the annual cultural holiday for the province of Québec, often celebrated the night before the holiday (like Christmas Eve or New Years Eve). Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day was established by the Catholic Church when it chose the pagan “Midsummer” Celebration (Summer Solstice) to replace with their commemoration of John the Baptist’s birth, which, according to the Bible, took place half a year before Jesus’ birth (whose birthday took the place of the pagan Winter Solstice celebration). Though it is the Catholic tradition that came with French settlers to Québec in the 1600’s, the more ancient pagan tradition of lighting bonfires, singing, dancing, and playing drums continues on as part of the Québecois Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebrations. The town of Oliver is familiar with this holiday because it marks the beginning of the cherry season, and thus the arrival of the Québecois pickers, who celebrate la fête de la St-Jean at Sawmill Lake (which they for some reason call “Shit Lake”). The mountain party is a lot of fun and very friendly, but is unfortunately messy and troublesome. What is less known by Oliverites, which is interesting, is that the small town of Oliver is well known to a huge proportion of the Québec population, because Oliver has for decades now been an important part of the “coming of age” pilgrimage “out west.” It’s even in old french folk songs, not Oliver by name, but the South Okanagan by description, as the place where all young people must go to see the mountains, the stars, discover themselves, and get heat stroke. Another interesting thing many locals here don’t know is that most Québecois are not messy hippies, and many are locals living here working regular jobs year-round (like our own Marie-Ève). With all that said, you don't need to be of Québec descent to enjoy Saint Jean Baptiste Day, especially if you're a fan of poutine and great music! Bonne St-Jean! 🙂

PLEASE READ

This event is "rain or shine."

Tables will be assigned by RESERVATION ONLINE ONLY.

You must arrive by 4:45pm to claim your table. At 4:45pm, unclaimed tables will be released to wayward walk-ins. Tables can only be reserved ONLINE through our website at: www.firehallbrewery.com/events

Please remember to wear your mask at all times, except when at your table, and to abstain from table-hopping, loitering/standing, and dancing (So sorry! But those are the rules). All COVID-19 Safety & Distancing Protocols will be in full effect and enforced.