Woonsocket celebrates its French heritage Saturday with the 31st annual French Heritage Festival at River Island Park featuring music, food, historic bus tours and a trivia competition.
The free-admission festivities begin at 9 a.m. at the park, at Bernon St. & S. Main St., starting off with the French-Canadian folk music of Fluer de Lis, a local band. Master of Ceremonies for the event is Roger Laliberte of WNRI, according to Romeo Berthiaume, an organizer for the event.
Another French-Canadian folk band, Le Vent des Cantons, will finish off the day, which will also include a trivia contest in place of last year's pie-eating contest, Berthiaume said. Throughout the day, historic bus tours of the city will be offered, he added.
In between the music, tours and contest, revelers will also be able to sample farmers markets, arts and crafts vendors and, many food vendors offering French-Canadian favorites such as Dynamites, meat pies and crepes.
At 5:30 p.m., the party moves to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs church at 1409 Park Ave., with Le Vent des Cantons in tow, for a $10 admission. Patrons to the after-party soiree will be treated to a beer and dynamite supper. Tickets are available at the door. The soiree will also offer a 50/50 raffle.
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