This year’s Feast features the Ann Arbor Morris and Morris Dancing - a form of ritual folkdance that originates in England and dates back to at least the 15th century.  Morris dancers traditionally dress in all white, wear bells tied to their shins, and carry sticks or hankies. They dance to lively  music played on instruments such as the accordian, penny whistle, fiddle and tabor.  The fact that it is a ritual, as opposed to social, dance implies that it has other purposes besides being just plain fun. Fertility, death and rebirth are common themes in morris.  In fact, morris dancers everywhere celebrate May Day to welcome in the spring.

The symbol for this year’s Feast is the Cannon.  For over four centuries cannons have been used to defend the colonists, settlers, and citizens of America and Canada.  These Cannons have defended positions, destroyed enemy strongholds, supported attacks by infantry & cavalry, and fired rescue lines to ships.  They have heralded great victories, started celebrations and marked important events.  The mortars, howitzers, siege guns, petards, swivel guns and columbiads have rumbled through history and have always been present here at the Feast of the Ste. Claire.  The loud noises and billowy smoke rings that they make have thrilled visitors and frightened enemies and will continue to be a large part of our activities as the years continue.  It was the idea of Elizabeth Burgess to use a cannon design to celebrate the Feast's Twenty Fifth anniversary.  Look for the brave French artillerists and their rivals, the dashing English and American Colonial troops, as they carry out their ongoing conflict to see who will gain control over Pine Grove Park this year.  Be sure to witness the exciting battle (demonstration) that happens each day during the Feast, at 3 pm over at the North end ,  by the Fort.  Vive le Roy or Long live the King depending on your view point.