No fête des quartiers du Nord due to lack of volunteers

One of the most eagerly-awaited neighborhood festivals is the one held every year in the northern Flamands district. In 2024, it attracted not only local residents, but also numerous visitors from all over the island. A festive, sporting and cultural gathering that will not be taking place this year. For one simple reason: a lack of volunteers. The president of the Association Sportive et Culturelle de Colombier (Ascco), which organizes the event, laments the cancellation. There are fewer and fewer people getting involved in associations," says Ludovic Questel. There are only five of us in the association and we all want to perpetuate the traditions, but it's complicated. "Especially as Ascco members are already fully committed to various activities throughout the year. A few reinforcements wouldn't go amiss. But we still need to find volunteers. When I was 19, I was already involved in the association," recalls Ludovic Questel. The new generation isn't interested and the old ones are leaving, which creates an imbalance. "Not to mention the fact that organizing events, whatever they may be, requires funds. As the president of Ascco points out, "everything costs money for an event, even if the local authorities and a few sponsors contribute". And let's not forget the frequent, massive and sometimes unpredictable arrival of sargassum on the beaches at the end of the 2025 tourist season. The Flamands beach in particular has not been spared.
Nevertheless, should ideal conditions not be met this year, Ludovic Questel assures us that the fête des quartiers du Nord will return to Flamands in 2026. "We'll do the best we can with what we've got," he declares. Ascco hopes that new members will lend a helping hand to the "old hands" to bring all its projects to fruition.