TAKE YOUR PICK OF NEW YEAR’S LEVEES
New Year’s Day levees have long been a tradition for Canadians as a special time to mingle with their local officials and ring in the New Year.
First introduced in France during the 1600s, the New Year’s Day levee was continued in Canada as a way for the governor general of Canada, lieutenant governors, military officials and municipalities to address the people personally to wish them a happy new year.
Since the first Canadian levee, believed to have been held in 1646 by the French governor, levees have become almost exclusively Canadian and are always held on New Year’s Day.
In the early days, levees were predominantly attended by men, and followed a strict code requiring men to be dressed in their best attire. Since the 1970s, levees have become much more casual and can be attended by anyone.
While they may have changed over the years, levees are still a great way for people to get out after New Year’s Eve, mingle with friends, family and strangers, and ring in the New Year with a cup of ‘Moose Milk’ (eggnog and rum) and bowl of chili or chowder.
Here is a listing of levees happening around Colchester County on Monday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
Town of Truro New Years Levee
Town Hall – Council Chambers (3rd floor)
Monday, Jan. 1 – noon Refreshments will be provided
THC Levee Day
Truro Horsemen’s Club - 288 Main St., Truro
Bar opens at 11 a.m.
Live music by Double Stack at 4 p.m.
Truro Legion Levee
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 - 42 Brunswick St., Truro 1-4 p.m.
Stewiacke New Years Levee
Stewiacke Valley Museum – 5445 Highway 289, Stewiacke 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Truro Freemasons Levee
Truro Freemasons Hall - 143 Pictou Rd., Truro noon
Chili and chowder – meet and greet
“Bring the whole family”
Village of Bible Hill Levee
Village Hall – 67 Pictou Rd., Truro
1 p.m. Commissioner will be present Food and beverage – family friendly
Tatamagouche Legion and Fire Department Levee
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 64- 80 Queen St, Tatamagouche noon
Food and beverage – family friendly
Stewiacke Legion Levee and dance
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 - 299 George St. Ext, Stewiacke 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Food and drink
Dance at 4 p.m. upstairs