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Marie-Élaine
Dion
Communications
Coordinator, Townshippers' Association
The theme of
this year's Townshippers' Day is "Return to your Roots -- Celebrate
the Future." The event, which promises to be a fun-filled day
for the whole family, will take place at Plateau Sylvie Daigle,
300 Parc, Sherbrooke (the Old Sherbrooke Fairgrounds), from 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
After months
of preparation, Townshippers' Day Committee Co-chairs Nancy Beattie
and Michael van Lierop are proud to announce the programme of activities.
T-Day opens its doors to the public at 9 a.m., with opening ceremonies
at 10 a.m. in the entertainment tent, near the parking lot. Special
guests are expected from the City of Sherbrooke, the Sherbrooke
2002 Organising Committee, as well as both provincial and federal
governments.
BATTLE OF
THE BANDS
At 11 a.m., the musical programme will begin in the entertainment
tent. It includes a wide variety of entertainers, from Irish dancers
and cloggers to folk singers like Kate Morrison, the Choromondo
world choir, and much more. A raffle will take place in the entertainment
tent at 2 p.m., followed by the Battle of the Bands, a competition
featuring young music groups, which will continue until 5 p.m.
 A
variety of booths will line the path from the entertainment tent
to the Centre-Expo building. Media sponsors, including CBC Radio
and Television and The Record, will be there to greet you. Visitors
will be able to meet some of their favourite hosts and talk to them
about their shows. Near the main building, the Townshippers' Association
tent will offer new merchandise for both children and adults, new
exhibits, and information about membership benefits. Volunteers
and staff will be available to meet visitors and to help new members
join or current members renew their memberships. A few surprises
might be in store for visitors too!
ARTISANS
In the Expo building, you will be able to purchase the creations
of 100 different Townships artisans, get information about community
groups in the Eastern Townships, and buy a snack or a lunch from
a community organization selling food to raise funds for worthy
projects.
HERITAGE
TOURS
Throughout the day, and in keeping with the heritage theme of T-Day
2002, a free shuttle bus will take visitors from the Townshippers'
Day site (pick-up in front of the Expo building) to old downtown
Sherbrooke. On the buses, guides will distribute brochures describing
a choice of two 1-hour self-guided tours: the Gorge and the Churches
and Museums. The first tour is along the Magog River Gorge. Visitors
should enjoy its series of stairs and metal walkways over the dam,
lookout towers, remarkable views of the waterfalls and the Frontenac
Power Plant. This is the oldest operational hydroelectric plant
in Quebec. Those who choose the second tour will visit a number
of historical buildings and churches. One of these is the Fine Arts
Museum (housed in the 19th century Eastern Townships Bank building).
For a one-time special fee of only $5, persons wishing to enter
can be among the first in Canada to see the new touring exhibit,
Post-Impressionist Masterworks from the National Gallery of Canada.
ANNUAL TRADITION
Townshippers' Day has been an annual tradition for 23 years, held
in a different part of the Eastern Townships each year. Every September,
thousands of people, both English and French, gather to celebrate
the rich heritage of our beautiful region. All are invited to attend
what promises to be yet another day full of smiles. We'll be there,
rain or shine!
For more details
about activities, please visit our website at www.tday.ca.
(Photo: Courtesy of Townshippers' Association)
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