Feast of Saint John the Baptist

The patronal feast of St. John the Baptist has been a tradition for generations, and one to which the people of Colmar are deeply attached. Despite a few interruptions in the course of its history, this celebration of religious, military and civil brotherhood has always managed to endure and adapt. It has been held every year on June 23, 24 and 25 since probably the first half of the 19th century.
The festivities were already taking place in 1844, as mentioned by Abbé Féraud in his “Géographie historique et biographique du département des Basses-Alpes”. The costumes, still worn today, represent many of the military bodies that marked the Napoleonic Wars (circa 1830). The Saint-Jean festival in Colmars follows a set pattern that has been handed down for generations.
Today, the latest arrivals proudly reproduce the process and gestures. Over time, however, some of these customs have obviously evolved. For example, it is no longer the penitents who carry the statue of St. John, but local residents or volunteers, depending on the course of the festival. Similarly, the population is no longer called upon to elect the Captain of the Bravade. From now on, after consultation, the Captain will be chosen for several years from among the volunteers. A number of new features have also been added: wreath-laying, a traditional ball, a 7 a.m. wake-up call with fanfare…
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebration is a tradition that has evolved with the times!