International festival brings St. Stephen, Calais together 'as one'
Among the International Homecoming Festival crowds, the words 'here' and 'there' take on added meaning.
"I've been here more than I've been there," Maxine Geroux, standing in Calais, Maine, said Saturday while gesturing across the river to where she was born in St. Stephen, N.B.
"And I've been over there [more] than I have been over here, even though I was born over here," said Suzanne Benedetta, her best friend.
What appears a confusing mix of nationalities is actually the norm in these towns, which come together for a week each summer for the festival.
The highlight is a parade that starts on one side and crosses to the other.
Suzanne Benedetta, left, and Maxine Geroux, right, are best friends who have both lived in Calais and St. Stephen. (Sam Farley/CBC)
"There is a considerable amount of planning, but it is something we're very proud to have because it doesn't happen very often," said Pamela Williams, an event co-ordinator with the Municipal District of St. Stephen.
Williams said there are logistics involved. Those who cross the border, parade or not, have to be vetted and border services are involved.
With documents submitted in advance, parade participants are allowed to cross the bridge without stopping, a privilege reserved for this one day a year.
Vehicles in the parade drove across the international bridge from Maine to New Brunswick. Everyone submits documents ahead of time, so the parade does not have to stop at customs. (Sam Farley/CBC)
But it almost didn't happen. On July 24, the festival put a notice on its Facebook page.
"It is becoming evident that the parade may no longer be sustainable due to declining float entries willing to cross and participate on both sides," the post read.
"And this is the time for honesty … the top response we get is that participants do not WANT to cross the border, it's too much work, etc," it went on.
In the end, the community rallied.
"There are a hardcore group of individuals on both sides that won't let this die, they won't let this end. In the last minutes they pull it together and we're a go," Williams said.
Pamela Williams, an event co-ordinator with St. Stephen, said there is considerable planning for the parade. (Sam Farley/CBC)
Some floats did turn off right before the parade crossed from Maine into New Brunswick, and a father could be seen running up to a float full of girls in a dance troupe to pull off a few children who did not want to cross.
But for some, a sense of tradition outweighed the bureaucracy.
"Between the two towns, we have worked together forever," said Rob Howland, president of the Western Charlotte ATV Club. "It's part of our hometown."
He and several families in the club rode across the border into Maine to take part in the parade.
Rob Howland is president of the Western Charlotte ATV Club and rode his quad across the border with fellow club members to be part of the parade. (Sam Farley/CBC)
The international community is personal for Howland.
"I'm what's considered a border brat," he said. "My mom is from over here and my dad is from over there. I've got both citizenships."
Maine State Sen. Marianne Moore's district includes Calais. She said she was encouraged by the turnout.
Marianne Moore is the state senator for Calais, and said people are getting comfortable crossing the border again after COVID. (Sam Farley/CBC)
"This year we are seeing more and more people involved," Moore said, "because they're finally getting brave enough to say 'OK, it [COVID] is over with now, I'm OK, I can go across to Canada.'"
The festival helps bring community back, Moore said.
"St. Stephen and Calais as one, and the international festival is a great way for us to honour each other and show our friendship and really have fun."
