The summer of 2022 marks the return of many in-person celebrations, including one of Alberta’s biggest Francophone festivals, the Fête franco-albertaine.
The Fête brings hundreds of visitors together for a weekend of camping enhanced by artistic, cultural, and sports programming entirely in French—including games, activities, crafts, contests, karaoke, geocaching, yoga, local music, and bonfires.
The festival started in 1989 when a group of young Francophones, in partnership with Francophonie jeunesse de l’Alberta (FJA) , planned a camping vacation at Skeleton Lake. 75 guests showed up, and the Fête franco-albertaine was born! You can see photos and videos of past festivals here.
This year’s festival happens from July 7 to 10 at the David Thompson Resort 45 km from the town of Nordegg in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. New this year, festival-goers can check out what local entrepreneurs and artisans have to offer at a free Alberta Francophone Market. The market will feature twenty exhibitors from across the province. Look for it in the main parking lot beside the resort on July 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Image: Fête franco-albertaine 2017, Fête franco-albertaine website
Catherine Fisher, blogger
