It was a sea of green and white as French-speaking residents joined students from Francophone schools Jean-Vanier and Ecole St. Francois-d'Assise in the official flag raising at Civic Square last Thursday, to commemorate the birthday of the Franco-Ontarian Flag.

The event was co-ordinated by the Association of Francophone Communities in Ontario Niagara chapter.

"As far as we know, it's the first time at city hall to celebrate the large amount of Francophones in Welland," said Sylvia Trottier, development agent with AFCO Niagara.

The Franco-Ontarian flag was unveiled for the first time on Sept. 25, 1975 at Sudbury University. It has since been an emblem of the Ontario French-speaking community.

The flag consists of two vertical bands; one mid-green with a white lily in the middle and the second white with a mid-green trillium in the middle.

According to the provincial government's office of Francophone affairs, green represents summer and white represents winter, the two colours representing the diversity of Ontario's climate.

The lily evokes the French-speaking community worldwide, whereas the trillium is the floral emblem of Ontario.

"It's a great day to be French," Trottier told the crowd to applause.

She said after years of underfunding and difficulty in finding volunteers, AFCO Niagara is working hard to re-establish itself in the community.

The group received a Trillium grant in November 2006 and organized the St. Jean Baptiste festival earlier this year, as well as the inaugural flag raising last week.

"That hasn't happened in 20 years," said Trottier.

The group of Francophones in Welland and Niagara continues to grow, she said. Francophones in Canada are no longer just French-speaking Canadians, but are new residents from places such as Africa.

"We have the richness of culture and ethnicity," said Trottier.

"It makes for the greatest parties. It's a beautiful thing."

Coun. Paul Grenier, who himself has a French background, was present representing the city at the flag raising.

"We would not be what we have in Welland with the Francophone community," said Grenier.