Exhibits & Displays, Jour de Fete - Sainte Genevieve, Missouri

The Historic District of Ste. Genevieve has a large number of 18th century French buildings. Many have been meticulously restored over the past 50 years and today Ste. Genevieve boasts the largest and finest collection of French Creole architecture in the United States. While most of the homes are private residences, there are five homes and the Ste. Genevieve Museum that are open to the public and worth investigating during your visit during Jour de Fete weekend. The Felix Valle State Historic Site is also the location for Colonial Crafts demonstrations and a reenacted campsite of early French militia. Maps of the festival area are available at the Great River Road Interpretative Center located on the corner of Main and Market Streets.

Colonial Crafts		Artisans in traditional colonial attire will demonstrate traditional methods of producing the necessities of life at the Felix Valle State Historic Site. Blacksmithing, woodworking, soap making are some of the demonstrations visitors will see.

French Marine Encampment		The Compagnie Frenche de la Marine de Fort du Chartres will encamp in the area behind the Mammy Shaw house (across Second Street from the Felix Valle State Historical Site) throughout the weekend. Visit with them to get the feel of the rigors of 18th century camp life. The French Marines will also be performing military drills around the festival area at various times during both days.

Antique Steam Engines		A 1919 restored, 26,000 pound working Nichols-Shepard Steam Traction Engine will be on display from 10 am to 6 pm on South Main Street on both days. There will also be several other antique tractors and steam engines at this location.

Birds of Prey		Live eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons are on display in an exhibit organized by the World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis, MO. This display is held in back of the Bolduc-LeMeilleur House (Market & Main Streets) weather permitting. T-shirts and novelties are available for purchase to help the organization’s efforts to preserve habitats and endangered species.

Antique Window Display		Shops and businesses empty their store front windows of their normal wares and replace them with prized possessions and antiques of local residents and collectors. Prior to Jour de Fete, out of town judges award ribbons and cash prizes.

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