Community meetings spark excitement and ideas for August festivities
JUDIQUE: The community of Judique is preparing to mark a major milestone this summer, as plans come together to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the village’s founding. In a fitting setting, the Storytellers Gallery has become the hub of weekly Monday evening meetings, where residents gather amid historic artefacts and vintage photographs to shape a celebration that honours both heritage and community spirit.
The anniversary commemorates the 1775 arrival of Michael MacDonald, who spent a winter scouting the area before returning to Prince Edward Island. He later led four pioneering couples back to settle the site that would become Judique. Their efforts laid the foundation for generations of families who would call the village home.
Many involved in planning the 250th festivities have fond memories of the 200th anniversary celebration in 1975, an event that ignited the creation of Judique on the Floor Days – a beloved summer tradition inspired by the old-fashioned parish picnics.
This year’s celebration will embrace that same sense of community and tradition, while adding new twists to reflect Judique’s evolving identity. The official kickoff takes place at Michael’s Landing on August 3, with a week of events culminating in a ceilidh on August 10.
In between, locals and visitors can expect a vibrant schedule including dances, dinners, bingo nights, sports tournaments, children’s activities, historical exhibits – and of course, a crowd-pleasing parade.
Organizers are calling on residents, local groups, and anyone with a passion for community to join in the planning. The Judique 250th Facebook page is an active space for sharing ideas and updates.
With strong roots and even stronger community spirit, Judique is ready to celebrate its past – and its future – in grand style.