Cantigny's French Connection Day brings one Naperville resident home
For Christiane Albrow, French Connection Day at Cantigny Park in Wheaton could not have been more aptly named.
The Alsace, France-born Naperville resident said listening to Traveler's Dream belt out traditional European songs brought her back to her childhood. Albrow sang along as the folk duo took turns singing in French and English.
"I love it," she said during the performance. "It reminds me of my youth. It's lovely."
The music was the soundtrack to Cantigny Park's 3rd Annual French Connection Day, a day filled with street performers, a crafts fair and music.
As kids had their face painted or drawn by a caricature artist, adults played Pétanque, a traditional French game very similar to bocce ball. A stilt walker and pantomime mingled with the crowd. The park's restaurant served an all-French menu for the day.
It took Albrow a while to reach those activities and the food, however, as she was immediately drawn to the music. Her husband, Michael, who moved to the United States to work for Fermilab 18 years ago, said the day allowed the family to experience a touch of home. The Albrows still have family in Switzerland and had two visiting grandchildren in tow.
"It's nice to have some French atmosphere and ambience out here," he said. "It's some level of culture. And they have nice food."
The event celebrates the connection that Cantigny Park has to France and World War I. Colonel Robert McCormick served in the war and, when he returned after taking part in 1918's Battle of Cantigny, he renamed his Red Oak Farm to the name it still holds today.
"It's a celebration of our French heritage," said Laura Evans, the park's director of visitor services. "(McCormick) was so affected by the war that he came back and renamed this property."
Evans started the event three years ago to commemorate that. The Albrows, who were attending for the first time, decided to attend after seeing the 23-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower two days earlier.
Michael Albrow praised the event and its organizers, saying the whole day showed a cultural awareness he appreciated.
"It shows a nice broad outlet to celebrating the French connection," he said.
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