Brome Lake and Brome Village host the 36th annual Townshippers’ Day

COMMUNITY. One of the largest annual events for the English-speaking community of the Eastern Townships, this year’s Townshippers’ Day (T-Day) takes place on Saturday, September 12 at the Brome Fair grounds in Brome Village. Now in its 36th edition, the event is co-hosted this year by Brome Village and Town of Brome Lake. The theme this year is “Strong Roots, Growing Together”.

T-Day celebrates the heritage and culture of our community through family-friendly activities, networking and exploratory events, fabulous entertainment and much more. The event is organized by a volunteer committee in collaboration with Townshippers’ Association.

The entertainment begins with a concert by the Knowlton Harmony Band followed by the opening ceremonies and presentation of the Outstanding Townshippers and Young Townships Leaders awards at 10:00. Music continues all day long, with a wide variety of local talent including rock and roll with Foster Grit, jazz and Beatles with Pot Pourri Lite Choir, the acoustic duo Deja Two, country with Silverado, rock with Squeegie and the St. Paul’s Church band Dave’s Cave.

On the dance stage, watch Jim Naylor & The Rainbow Country Cloggers at 11:00 a.m. and again at 3:00 p.m., with the Shriners Pipes and Drums in between at 2:00. Children’s activities include the Agri-Zone, where kids can play farmer for a day at the mini-farm, play games at the barns and learn about agriculture by trying various farm activities.

Other features include an accident simulation by the Brome Lake First Responders and Fire Department at the grandstand at 1:00 p.m., and all-day activities including an antique car show, sheep-shearing demonstrations, rug hooking and chainsaw wood carving.

At the large barn, there will also be a huge silent auction, a Townshippers’ Association booth with tons of information, and Townships Expressions, featuring books, CDs, DVDs, cards, and more, all created by local artists or with a Townships theme, available for sale.

And there’s lots of food, of course. Creek United Church is providing chili, bread and drinks, Heroes Memorial School will have home-made baked goods, Bob Derby will have sausages in pita bread, Lola’s Petits Gateaux will have cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches and smoothies, the bakery will have rolls, cookies, pies, banana bread and cinnamon rolls, and cantines will supply hamburgers, poutine, pork sandwiches and sausages. Star Café will also be there all day with a chicken and pork smoker, and will provide a free volunteer-only supper at 6 p.m.

There will also be exhibits by artists and artisans and presentations and displays by non-profit and community groups. The free Along the Old Roads-Heritage Guided Bus Tour will give visitors a look at some of the grand old homes in the area and includes free admittance to the Brome County Historical Society museum in Knowlton.

Townshippers’ Day takes place on Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Brome Fairgrounds, located at 345 Stagecoach Road in Brome Village. Admission is free, but parking is by a minimum donation of $2. For more information call 450-242-4421 or go to www.TDay.ca. 

Jim Ferrier, special collaboration