On Saturday, January 18, Franklin will be hosting a winter carnival to kick off the new year. The day will feature various activities, foods, and artisans for all to enjoy. The fun will kick off at 10 a.m. at the Lac des Pins campground stables and go on until 5 p.m.
Julie Lalonde, the recreation and communications person for the municipality of Franklin, explains that people can expect an artisans’ fair “where you can discover local creations, outdoor inflatable games for youngsters, and toboggans for family fun – bring your sleds. Visitors can also enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride.” If you get hungry, you can enjoy Le St-Grill Shack à Grillades canteen and the Boots & Beer bar service. As well, the day will include an amateur lumberjack contest organized by Marc Labelle.
Labelle’s family has been organizing lumberjack competitions for about 40 years, and he has been involved with for almost 30 of those. He has done competitions all over Quebec and some in the U.S.A. Though he has not visited Franklin before, he has conducted these competitions in Saint-Hyacinthe and Valleyfield.
Labelle explains that there are many different activities in a Lumberjack contest. These include the axe cross hold (an endurance race where people hold axes in either hand with their arms out to their sides), two-man saw, tug-of-war, anvil lifting, and more. Labelle’s games only use old-school tools like axes; he doesn’t participate in events with tools like chainsaws.
Lalonde says that “A winter carnival is an opportunity to celebrate winter, unite the community, promote the territory, and offer a moment of shared pleasure, while supporting the economic and social aspects of the municipality.”
If you are interested in visiting and would like to learn more, check out the Municipalité de Franklin Facebook page. Lalonde especially encourages people to sign up for the lumberjack competition!