SHERBROOKE: For the first time in more than three decades, Townshippers’ Association will be collaborating with a renowned historic institution, Bishop’s College School (BCS), to host the 34th Annual Townshippers’ Day on Saturday, September 14, 2013.

Founded in 1979, Townshippers’ Day (T-Day), is a cultural festival and information fair which celebrates the heritage, vitality and creativity of the Eastern Townships English-speaking community. Traditionally a nomadic event hosted by a different municipality or area each year, the 2013 edition will be hosted by Townshippers’ Association and Bishop’s College School (BCS), a 175-year-old private boarding school located in the Borough of Lennoxville (Sherbrooke).

“T-Day is one of the most anticipated events for Townshippers’ Association allowing us to gather together the community we are working hard to serve and advocate for throughout the year. This celebration gives us the opportunity to strengthen our connections and build memories together,” said Rachel Hunting, Executive Director Townshippers’ Association and T-Day Organizing Committee Chair. “We are thrilled that Bishop’s College School, with its historical presence in the region and its mission to educate future generations, will share its picturesque grounds with the community this T-Day.”

This one-day festival also brings the regions’ various linguistic communities together in mutual respect and celebration, a purpose that is illustrated in T-Day’s 2013 theme “Welcome!” and shared by the host location.

Townshippers’ Association Executive Director Rachel Hunting and President Gerald Cutting recently unveiled the official logo for the 34th Townshippers’ Day celebration. It is in the image of a postage stamp with “Welcome” written in five different languages representing the global connection the region’s English-speaking community has and their attachment to remain connected to their home and culture.

"BCS is a point of convergence for people of different cultural, linguistic, and ethnic groups – our students hail from 24 countries around the world. We teach them about the importance of community involvement and encourage them to be engaged with the people and organizations in their locality. We are looking forward to welcoming Townshippers, young and old, to our campus for this bridge-building event,” said William Mitchell, Headmaster of Bishop's College School.

As strong families are the building blocks to any healthy community, T-Day’s organizing committee is planning an event that will celebrate the best of community connections through a neighbourhood party of a grand scale. Many surprises are in store, from the line up of entertainment and activities that will link all ages to the acoustic performances by local talent.

Following this year’s opening ceremony at 10:30 a.m., the contributions of some of the more active, not necessarily the most illustrious, members of the community will be honoured by the presentation of the Outstanding Townshippers Award and Young Townships Leaders Awards.

Food will once again be offered onsite and in keeping with the festival’s minimal waste policy; however, visitors are being encouraged to bring blankets and baskets to join in a community picnic. Activities from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. will take place in the School Square while community groups and organization will be feature in the country’s oldest indoor hockey rink.

Further details regarding the event program will be posted on T-Day’s official website at www.tday.ca as they become available. The website also contains information for exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and silent auction donations.

For more info on T-Day, contact 450-242-4421 (toll free 1-877-242-4421) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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T-Day logo: Courtesy of Townshippers’ Association