What we heard Wednesday about poutine

COVID happens, but poutine helps!

A lot can happen between now and Canada Day, but plans for the 2022 Poutine Feast are still on, Kathy Fisher, curator of the Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site, told a Wednesday meeting of the historic sites board.

The latest pandemic restrictions have forced the tourist attraction to cancel many other events including its weekly Fridays by the Fire and the Valentine Tea.

But the popular celebration of crispy french fries topped with squeaky-fresh creamy cheese curds has so far survived the COVID cuts.

"We are moving forward with the plan for Poutine Feast with the Downtown Association, which is June 30 to July 3," Fisher announced.

The Fall Rendezvous in September is also a go.

"Those are the two big events that we're starting to plan and move forward with."

The Sault's first Poutine Feast was held on the Canada Day weekend in 2019.

Organizers of the travelling festival promised that if 10,000 poutines were sold from June 28 to July 1, Sault Ste. Marie would get right of first refusal on the same dates the following year.

In fact, we knocked that expectation out of the park, selling 15,000 servings.

Next week, the Ermatinger-Clergue site will announce details of its Valentine chocolate treat package, which will available for pickup at the 800 Bay St. location.