Old Mines Ready To Celebrate 300 Years - New Year’s Kickoff

The community of Old Mines is set to celebrate 300 years - 1723 to 2023 - with a kickoff at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Old Mines.

The evening will begin with La Guillonee, a traditional French based New Year’s celebration from the past at 7 & 8 p.m.

The Knights of Columbus Hall will have the doors open at 6 p.m. with music by ‘The Outsiders Music’ from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Admission is $25 a person or $40 a couple at the door. There will be Euchre decks at each table, party favors, Bouillon made by Dick Juliette and a champagne toast at midnight.

Snacks are welcome and drinks are to be purchased at the Hall.

This is the first celebration set for the 300th Anniversary of Old Mines and the next is just the next day!

The Old Mines Area Historical Society will host an Open House at what has become known as the ‘Homestead’, the former Dick Juliette place, just across from the K.C. Hall in Old Mines.

The Open House is planned for the mid-day, following Mass at St. Joachim and going through the afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 1st, 2023.

Several cooperating groups have come together to coordinate a collection of events throughout the year.

In February, on the 25th & 26th, La Brigade will host their Annual Winter Shoot at the St. Joachim Parish Grounds.

In March, the Annual Washington County Expo will be held at the St. Joachim School cafeteria on Sunday, March 19th. The Expo offers a great selection of history, tourism and fun facts about the area with this year being focused on Old Mines and the French history.

The Old Mines Area Historical Society will host their Annual French Seminar on Saturday, April 1st with guest speakers and authentic foods being featured at the St. Michael House in Fertile.

The Make-A-Wish Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, May 6th at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Highway 21 in Old Mines.

La Brigade will again hold their Annual Rendezvous on May 20th & 21st, Saturday & Sunday on the Parish grounds at St. Joachim.

The Austin Festival, themed ‘The French Edition’ for 2023 is scheduled for downtown Potosi and will highlight local French heritage and authentic crafts.

The big celebration for the 300th Anniversary is planned for Saturday, June 24th, 2023 at the St. Joachim Catholic Church grounds in Old Mines. There are plans for music by Dennis Stroughmatt, a wide variety of historical foods, displays and activities.

In July, the Christmas in July celebration at Washington State Park will focus on the area’s French heritage. The event is set for July 29th.

The Washington County Fair will also feature the historical, local French culture at the fairgrounds. The County Fair is August 9th through 12th on Highway 185 in Potosi.

Starlite Drive-In is planning a movie night, showing historical film and photos, on Saturday, August 26th.

The Annual Fall Festival at St. Joachim will again celebrate the history of the parish and the community on Sunday, Sept. 10th.

Sunday, Oct. 1st will be La Fete de l’Automne at the Old Mines Area Historical Society’s Village in Old Mines.

The Harvest Festival at Washington State Park on Saturday, Oct. 14th will offer custom crafts and a wonderful celebration of Fall.

Washington State Park will have a Halloween Hootenanny that is planned to be a celebration of all things spooky and fun on Saturday, Oct. 28th.

The Ladies Sodality Craft Fair at the Knights of Columbus Hall will feature authentic crafts and fun in Old Mines on Saturday, Nov. 11th.

To close out the year, plans are being made for a ‘Village Christmas’, hosted by the Old Mines Area Historical Society, that will offer old fashioned Christmas settings and culture of the early years.

Plan to celebrate, join the fun and mark your calendars for 2023!