What?

If you know what Townshippers’ Day is, you don’t need to be told.  If you don’t know what it is, words don’t fully do it justice.  Imagine market day in medieval times, or May Day celebrations in the square of an 18th century village, and transpose those images to the here and now.

Townshippers’ Day is a wondrous mixture of essential elements.  It’s a gathering that allows old friends from far-flung corners to come together, and total strangers to strike up new friendships.  It’s a day that almost vibrates with a sense of excitement, yet exudes a sense of calm and relaxation.  It’s a showcase event for musicians, dancers, artists, writers and photographers, but equally a time for entrepreneurs and artisans to display their wares and community groups to explain what they’re about.  It’s a day that salutes the vitality and creativity of the Eastern Townships English-speaking community but a day that’s shared with our French-speaking neighbours.  Most remarkable, it’s an event that is recognizably similar from year to year, yet molded quite differently every year by the host town.

For All Tastes

If you’re in Danville there are several places to eat. La Binnerie on the Danville Square has a homey feel and serves home-cooked style fare.  Just up the street is Le Temps des Cerises, one of the Township’s better-known French-cuisine style restaurants. 

Of course on Townshippers’ Day there will be the equivalent of a food court on site.  Almost a dozen community service groups will be serving a wide variety of foods, simultaneously satiating people’s hunger, and raising funds for a worthy cause.  Among other food kiosks you’ll find the South Durham United Church Women’s group who will be serving pies and home baking.  The Danville Curling Club will be serving spaghetti.  ADS Elementary School will be serving corn on the cob while the Knights of Columbus will be offering home-made french fries and poutine.  The Canadian Legion will serve smoked meat and the Scouts will have pop corn for sale.