The public is invited to attend the Township of Esquimalt’s New Year’s Day Levée, a time-honoured tradition in Esquimalt dating back to 1947.
Join Esquimalt Mayor and Council for a meet and greet session at the Esquimalt Municipal Hall from 1–2:30 p.m.
To start the New Year off right, recreation facility admissions on New Year’s Day will be free: public swimming will be available 1 p.m.to 3 p.m. at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre and public skating 1 p.m. to 2:50 p.m. at the Archie Browning Sports Centre.
The event provides an opportunity for members of the public and municipal government to come together and welcome in the New Year. Light refreshments will be served.
The levée, derived from the French verb “to rise,” has a rich history that dates back to the court of Louis XIV, Sun King of France, who ruled from 1643 to 1715. In Canada the levée became associated with New Year’s Day, and is not connected with the old form of the practice. Instead, it carries on an ancient custom of this country, dating from the days of the fur trade.
Today, the levée is a New Year’s Day social event, hosted by many levels of government and other institutions.