There seem
to be fewer
and fewer
events these
days that
you can
celebrate as
a family.
The Grosse
Ile Boar's
Head
Festival is
one of those
events. If
you're new
to the
community or
just
visiting,
... COME,
join us in a
Christian
Christmas
celebration.
Grosse Ile Boar’s Head Festival 2006
Mission Statement
(Adopted October, 1993):
The purpose of the Grosse Ile Boar's Head
Festival shall be primarily to bring the word of God to those who have not
heard, to strengthen the community of Grosse Ile through interaction and
fellowship and to bring healing and remembrance for the loved ones gone before
us.
The Festival: A
highlight of the Advent season
on Grosse Ile will be the
enacting of the Boar's Head
Festival at Sacred Heart Church,
December 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17,
2006.
A Christmas celebration with
music and pageantry, the Boar's
Head Festival appears to be an
American custom of English
origin. Its roots are in the
ancient English tradition of
slaying a boar for the Christmas
feast, roasting the severed
head with an apple in its mouth
and ceremoniously bearing it
into the castle's dining hall so
that royalty and guests
might admire it and the hunter's
prowess. With the passage of
time, the slaying of the boar has
come to represent the conquering
of evil at the birth of the
Christ Child.
The 2006 Grosse Ile Boar's Head
Festival begins production
tapping the talents of
over 600 Island residents. This
pageant displays both the
colorful magnificence of the
great feast and the simple
beauty of the Christmas story.
Sponsored by the Interfaith
Council of Churches, the Boar's
Head Festival is a truly
ecumenical undertaking. Members
of Island churches make up the
more than 600 people who sing,
perform or contribute their
skills in the production of the
festival by working on sets,
costumes, lights, sound,
publicity and programs.
Spectators will see and hear a
brass ensemble, recorders,
handbells, bagpipes,
harpsichord, singers, dancers,
tumblers, jesters, townspeople
and a Christmas story. Musicians
include an adult, youth and
children's choir of over 100
voices and a 25 piece orchestra.
History of Boar's Head
1980:
Josephine Ramage and the
Interfaith Council of Churches
of Grosse Ile launched the first
Grosse Ile Boar's Head Festival.
The Islanders theater group were
also instrumental in the initial
performance that involved about
200 to 300 people. Sacred Heart
Catholic Church hosted the
original pageant. And the script
was rented from the Cherry Hill
Presbyterian Church.
1982:
The second Boar's Head took
place and the 12 Days of
Christmas was added to the
pageant. Doug Scott became the
musical arranger and composer.
1984:
The third Boar's Head was
performed and King Winsaslaus
was added.
1986:
King Winsaslaus was removed.
1987:
The Interfaith Council and Mrs.
Ramage decided the production
would occur every four years.
1990:
The Boar's Head was performed at
Grosse Ile High School. Nothing
new was added, however a
composition was written called
"The Innocents." This piece
would be brought to life in
1994.
1992:
Josephine Ramage dies of
leukemia
1993:
Jill Ryan was appointed
executive director and producer
to succeed the late Josephine
Ramage.
1994:
Boar's Head is again performed
at Grosse Ile High School and
"The Innocents" was performed.
About 400 to 500 people were
involved.
1998:
The pageant returns to Sacred
Heart Catholic Church and the
"The Annuciation" is added as
the new piece.
2002:
The pageant is performed again
at Sacred Heart Church and "The
Prophet, Isaiah" is added to
tell the prophecy of the coming
of the Christ child. The pageant
size continues to grow, reaching
close to 600 people.
2004:
The Grosse Ile Boars' Head
Festival incorporates and
becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization.
2006:
The ninth pageant will be
performed at Sacred Heart
Church.
"No, Don't Eat Me!"
Don't worry
because no animals are
hurt or even used during
production.
