A two-hour parade, a giant bonfire and outdoor rock and jazz concerts. This may sound like homecoming weekend in a Midwestern college town, but Quebec residents annually ratchet those activities to a fever pitch in a unique celebration of their heritage.

Attendees of NAFCU's 48th Annual Conference and Solutions Expo in Montreal will have a chance this week to immerse themselves in one of the cornerstones of French Canadian culture at Fête nationale du Québec (Quebec's national holiday), also known as St. John de Baptiste Day.

The province-wide holiday, celebrated every year on June 24, closes banks and government offices while bringing revelers of all ages into city parks and promenades in celebration. Expect many areas of downtown to be closed to traffic and occupied by massive crowds of Montrealers and Quebecers of all races, creeds and colors.