Aylmer neighbourhoods celebrate fête des voisins

Greg Newing

 

Neighbours gathered across Aylmer to celebrate fête des voisins on Saturday June 4. Among the celebrations held in Aylmer this year was a community lunch organized in the Deschênes neighbourhood by the Groupe Communautaire Deschênes (GCD). The lunch also featured chess games (both big and small) as well as face painting for children. The Lakeview Terrace Residents Association held a variety of community activities including a perennial exchange, a gardening workshop and a large garage sale. The Victor-Beaudry neighbourhood organized a cotton candy stand and outdoor celebration which was enjoyed by all. Les amis de la Marina Residents Association hosted a picnic in Park des cèdres. (photo)
Originally started in France in 1999 and now celebrated in 36 countries across the world, fête des voisins is a day marked out for neighbours to visit one another, strengthen community ties and welcome new residents.  Fête des voisins began to be celebrated in Québec in 2006 and so far over 8,000 celebrations have been held since then according to Espace MUNI, an organization that promotes fête des voisins across the province.
Fête des voisins is an annual event and will be coming around again next June. If you missed out on the celebrations this year, make sure to contact your local neighbourhood association or reach out to your neighbours and start up your own local fête des voisins!