This year’s La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival button features the frog in front of the Biddeford skyline, including notable buildings such as the City Hall steeple and the mills outlined in the back. Both the Canadian and American flags are featured on either side of the frog, as well as the La Kermesse motto “C’est le temps” underneath.
BIDDEFORD — As the La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival prepares for its 37th year, the organization has unveiled a festival button that serves as a tribute to the community.
The four-day festival will begin this year on June 20 with a block party in Mechanics Park, and continue with the parade on June 21, heralding the opening of the festival on St. Louis Field at 4 p.m. that day.
The La Kermesse button has long been a symbol of the festival. While all the buttons feature the signature frog mascot, the colors and theme change year to year.
For the last 20 years the button has been designed by La Kermesse Vice-President Ray Gagne, who initially took over the design as a cost-saving measure.
“We used to have someone design the button every year, and it would cost us between $300 and $500 for them to do it for us,” Gagne said. “I told the board, I may not be able to do it as professionally, but I think I can do as good a job designing it. I’ve been doing it ever since.”
This year, the button is a love letter to the city that has hosted the festival all these 37 years, and one that he, himself, has a deep affection for.
“I was born and raised in Biddeford, and I love it,” Gagne said. “I wanted to pay tribute to such a great community.”
The button features the frog in front of the Biddeford skyline, including notable buildings such as the City Hall steeple and the mills outlined in the back. Both the Canadian and American flags are featured on either side of the frog, as well as the La Kermesse motto “C’est le temps” underneath.
Gagne, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, has spent his life living and serving the city of Biddeford. Gagne worked for the Biddeford Fire Department for 50 years, serving as its chief from 1994 to 2003, a position now held by his son, Scott Gagne.
“I’ve been able to see how the city has changed, and I like the direction that it’s going in,” Gagne said. “It’s always been a great community, and it’s one that has embraced La Kermesse.”
Gagne has been a member of the La Kermesse Board of Directors for 30 years, and has been vice president of the organization for the last 22.
“This seemed like the perfect time to highlight Biddeford, with all the change and growth happening here,” Gagne said.
To further celebrate the special relationship the La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival has with the city of Biddeford, Treasurer Paul Gagne — no relation to Ray Gagne — hand-delivered buttons to the mailboxes of all nine members of City Council, as well as to Mayor Alan Casavant and City Manager James Bennett.
“We are really appreciative to all the help and support we get from the city,” said Paul Gagne, who has been a member of the La Kermesse board for 27 years and treasurer for a cumulative 18 years. “This was our way of saying ‘thank you’ and to invite them to take part in the festival with us.”
For Casavant, the newly designed button serves as a reminder of the festival’s community heritage and pride.
“I think that the new design captures those two pillars of the festival,” wrote Casavant in a March 22 email. “Festivals are critical in creating community togetherness, and with Biddeford’s historical and present diversity, La Kermesse is a reminder of not only our city roots, but who we are today.”
The board of directors for the festival has taken care to ensure that the Franco-Americaine heritage is not only remembered, but cherished within the festival, bringing in musicians from Canada for all three days of the festival this year. As always, the board will provide a sampling of Franco-Americaine food for sale throughout the festival, including favorites that include pork pie and poutine. A community favorite, the crepe breakfast following a French Mass in the main tent, kicks off on the final day of the festival on Sunday, June 23.
The Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center will be on site again this year, highlighting the different cultures in Biddeford and celebrating its long and diverse history.
“It’s good that we’ll have more French music this year,” said former La Kermesse president and current-board member Bob Provencher. “That’s what the festival is all about, and it’s good for everyone to hear.”
The buttons will go on sale one month in advance of the festival on May 20, and will be available for purchase at Shaw’s, Hannaford, Saco/Biddeford Savings, Biddeford Savings Bank, People’sChoice Credit Union, West Street Market, Brady Screenprint and Embroidery, and Ray’s Market. Buttons are $13 when purchased in advance of the festival and $15 at the gate. Daily admission bracelets will also be available at the gate for $8. For more information on the La Kermesse Festival, visit www.lakermessefestival.com.
— Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier Staff Writer Abigail Worthing can be contacted at news@inthecourier.com.
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