Tom Henihan
Express Staff
The 35th annual Carnaval de St. Isidore from February 17 to the 19th had a “Red Carpet” theme with the community centre auditorium adorned in appropriate images of celebrities and some well know personalities from the local community.
Since 1982, when the first Carnaval de St-Isadora was organized, the event has gained the reputation as the consummate winter event celebrating the Franco-Albertan culture.
The winter carnaval provides an opportunity for people from all cultural backgrounds to be Francophiles for three days, while having fun, enjoying the food, music and traditional customs of the Francophone-Albertan culture.
The 35th Carnaval, was thoughtfully organized and events well-paced, maintaining a steady momentum that kept everyone entertained throughout the event.
While kids appear to enjoy every aspect of the St-Isidore Carnaval with the maple taffy and sleigh rides being particular popular, adults are well catered to with an interesting variety of French Canadian dishes, ice sculptures and an eclectic variety of musical and cultural presentations.
The Carnaval always highlights French Canadian artists from the local Francophone community and from across Canada.
Among those who featured this year, were St. Isidore troupe Soleil, performing folk dances with a local spirit. Lés Twés, also from St. Isidore offered renditions of contemporary Francophone music. Galala, a regional youth outfit offered renditions of comtempory Franophone music.
Musician, historian and storyteller Roger Dallaire was also back to perform.
