It was a very warm evening, but people didn’t seem to mind as they enjoyed everything that Meet Me on Main Street Embrun had to offer. Tinkess Photo

EMBRUN – When the phrase “Meet Me on Main Street” is tossed about in this area, most people think of the Township of North Dundas and the communities of Morewood, South Mountain, Hallville, Chesterville, Marionville and Winchester. The extremely successful event has, however, spread beyond the boundaries of the Dairyfest Township and found a home in Russell Township as well.

Last year the event was moved into the Russell arena due to concerns over inclement weather. No such concerns this year as the event moved east, to 901 Notre Dame St. in Embrun, at the start of the recreational trail and on a portion of Blais Street. While the location changes, the formula remains consistent: music, food, beverages, and a chance to learn a bit about your community and share that contagious spirit with friends new and old.

As is the case for each of the Meet Me on Main Street events, there are a variety of vendors, each trying their best to offer their best. The list of vendors in Embrun was quite extensive and included such popular choices as Chin Chin Coffee Roasters, Domaine Perreault Winery, Iron Forge Pizza Embrun, Kyan Cuisine, Grilled Shawarma, and Euphie d’ici Café and Smoothy bar.

Jackie’s face painting was on hand for the kids, Russell Agricultural Society to promote the Russell Fair, and Station Embrun, to name just a few of the many organizations present.

Russell Township is an interesting community. Not that many years ago, Russell was primarily an Anglophone community while Embrun was Francophone. Over the years that has changed, however, and now if you looked for an example of what a multi-lingual, multi-cultural Canada could be, you wouldn’t have to look much farther than the Township of Russell. It is something that Mayor Michael Tarnowski is quite proud of.

“I love what you just said. That’s amazing,” said Mayor Tarnowski. When I moved here in 97, it was 100%, French. My wife unilingual English. And my two kids went to school in French, I’m French, French and English. And I love that connection now, like it used to be Russell and Embrun and our community is growing and, and we’re just kind of melting, it’s a melting pot. And I love to see that. It’s fantastic. And we see it here today, so many new residents.

“I’m proud of what our community, the heritage of our community is embracing all the new arrivals. It’s fantastic.”

And it seems that no matter how much the community grows, it is that community spirit that defines it.

“At the end of the day, we’re all humans on this planet,” said Tarnowski, “and there are amazing people here. And the most important part of it all is the sense of community where people get involved.  And that’s what you see here today with all the people here. I love that; to me, that just warms my heart.

That, in a nutshell is what Meet Me on Main Street offers: nothing too fancy, food for the table and food for the soul, a chance to connect and be a part of something together. It’s a message that other communities would do well to take notice of and copy.