PLATTSBURGH — The North Country saw a significant influx of Canadian visitors over the weekend and into Monday as many Quebec residents strayed south to celebrate a holiday weekend.
“It was definitely noticeable,” Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman said.
“St. Jean-Baptiste Day had the Plattsburgh Town Center buzzing with our Canadian friends who flocked to town for the long weekend.”
QUEBEC HOLIDAY
St. Jean-Baptiste Day is celebrated in Quebec annually on June 24, which was Monday. It derived from French settlers of Quebec who celebrated the feast day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist.
It was declared a public holiday in Quebec in 1925.
The holiday means a day off and time to travel at the beginning of summer.
Plattsburgh and the surrounding area have traditionally been a place where Canadians come to celebrate the holiday weekend, and this year was no different.
Many area businesses reported large crowds of Canadians over the weekend. Restaurants, bars and retail shopping outlets were especially crowded.
The Champlain Centre mall parking lot was full of vehicle adorned with white Quebec license plates with Je me souviens inscribed on the bottom in dark blue.
North Country Chamber of Commerce President Gary Douglas said the holiday, as well as other Canadian holidays, are great for the region.
“While many U.S. border areas benefit from heightened cross-border visitation on such holidays as Canada Day, Victoria Day and Canadian Thanksgiving, as Quebec’s special neighbor and holiday destination, we have long had St-Jean Baptiste as another special day for hosting our neighbors,” Douglas said.
“They look forward to visiting us for everything from shopping to enjoying the great outdoors, while also visiting their campsites and boats. The day and week of Canada Day on July 1 will be the next big travel period for our northern friends, and we know area businesses and residents will continue to provide a warm and enjoyable welcome.”
PANDEMIC RECOVERY
The region was stung by a lack of Canadian visitors for nearly three years during the COVID-19 pandemic that started in March of 2020. But the number of Canadian visitors has picked up to nearly pre-pandemic levels, and officials are hoping it continues.
“Plattsburgh continues to serve as a popular destination for our northern neighbors,” Cashman said.
“It is always wonderful to see Canadians choosing Plattsburgh for their day visits or extended stays, enjoying shopping, dining at our restaurants, and staying at our hotels.”