Some 2,500 elementary and secondary students from 13 Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) schools celebrated the provincial Franco-Ontarian Day Sept. 25.

Sporting green and white clothing and proudly waving Franco-Ontarian flags and school banners, participants in this celebration of Franco-Ontarian vitality marched through the streets of Chelmsford to École secondaire catholique Champlain, according to a news release.

This annual Francophone pride event, which includes members of the community, was first launched in 2008. This animated march was followed by an outdoor concert featuring Stef Paquette and Ami Allain, a variety of activities and a barbecue.

Franco-Ontarian day coincides with the anniversary of the Franco-Ontarian flag, flown for the first time in Sudbury in 1975.

Students and staff from École secondaire catholique Champlain and the CSCNO take great pride in celebrating their flag’s 37th anniversary, the board stated in the press release. While recognizing the Francophone and Catholic heritage, this activity promotes the excellence and dedication of students as they seek to widen their Francophone space and fully live their culture in the province of Ontario.