John the Baptist, because his day came at the right time. John the Baptist lived at the same time as Jesus Christ. Because he lived as a hermit, all alone in the desert in Judea for many years, he is often pictured wearing a piece of cloth around him, holding a cross made of thin sticks, with a lamb beside him. He is called John the Baptist because he baptized Jesus. Christians are baptized into the Chruch by having a priest sprinkle holy water on them or by being totally submerged in water.
Baptism is a symbol of washing away sin.
Parades are a big part of St. Huge bonfires are still a part of the festival, and firecrackers, too. Jean-Baptiste Day is celebrated all over Canada when there are Francophones. It has been an official holiday in Quebec since 1925. In the 1970s it took on more significance as a nationalistic day for Quebeckers to celebrate their destiny.