2007 Bonhomme is ...

Lou Gagne realised a lifelong dream playing this year's Bonhomme.

It was a packed house Sunday at Les Compagnons for the closing ceremonies of the 44th Annual Les Compagnons ‘Le Carnaval’.

Nipissing’s Francophone community spent the past week celebrating their culture and heritage through food, song and dance demonstrating why the Francophone community is one of the pillars that formed the foundation that is now North Bay.

The grand finalé of the weeklong event wouldn’t be complete without the unmasking of Bonhomme, and this year’s Bonhomme is no stranger to the Francophone community, hockey community, or the North Bay community.

Skyhawk’s Marketing Manager, Lou Gagne says playing the role of Bonhomme 2007 was an honour and a dream come true.

“Growing up as part of the Carnaval basically since day one, yeah it is,” states Skyhawk’s Marketing Manager, Lou Gagne.

Gagne says she has spent a lifetime wondering just exactly what it takes to be asked to take on the role, and now she knows.

“Through my years of working on the organising committee and stuff, I realise that the president of Les Compagnons has always selected somebody who has done a lot of work in the community,” she states.

“Not only the Francophone community, but the community at large and when I was asked in November he said take your time, and you think about it, but it is growing up as a kid that’s the ultimate. So I got to see Carnaval through the eyes of the ultimate position.”

Gagne says seeing the Carnaval through the Bonhomme’s eyes is like nothing she had ever seen.

“To see the Carnaval unfold really between those two little eyes is incredible,” she says.

“Those memories … you’re never going to forget that, because you see the kids just light up when Bonhomme walks into the room.”