The Old Aylmer Festival’s extensive programming has fun activities for everyone!
Sophie Demers
The 10th edition of the festival is sure to bring thousands from all over the Outaouais together to celebrate old Aylmer and participate in one of Aylmer’s most anticipated events. Activities start on Friday, August 18 and continue on throughout Saturday, the 19th and Sunday, the 20th.
Festivities will kick off behind park Micheline-Lemieux on Wychwood Drive with a 5 to 7 under the big top tent. There will be a live canvas painting by Artist Stefanie Kearns and music performances by Wassim l'artiste at 5:30 pm followed by DJ Louise Rousseau at 6:00 pm. There will also be a movie night with screenings of Coco Ferme at 8:00 pm and Donjons et Dragon at 9:30 pm. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
The street will be bustling with mascots, jugglers and stilt walkers, along with a foam cannon and inflatables. There will be nearly 40 exhibitors to explore. At the Monastère from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, Les dés-agréables will be playing board games and there will be a kids' show at 11:00 am. On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be inflatables for children and other activities.
On Saturday evening, under the big top tent behind the Micheline-Lemieux Park, there will be music performances by Les Bons Gars from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, followed by the Wildwood Family from 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Beer and cocktails will be available and Les dés-agréables will be playing board games.
In the parking lot of La Basoche at 120 Principale, there will be dance performances by École de danse Anick McConnel from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday, and on Sunday, performances by École de danse Rosanne Phillippe from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Musée de L’Auberge Symmes, located at 1 Front Street, is also organizing activities. On Saturday, there will be interactive theater and mystery games with the Histoire Vivante group. They will be presenting “Charles Symmes: La course à la Mairie” on Saturday from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On Sunday, there will be a musical show by Claude Naubert and his musicians performing a homage to Félix Leclerc “Du petit bonheur… au tour de l’île” from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
According to APICA, the organizers of the event, 30,000 people are expected over the three days. “The festival creates a lively atmosphere that makes shopping and discovering Old Aylmer more enjoyable. In addition, the festival reinforces a sense of belonging and local identity, which can encourage residents' loyalty to their neighbourhood businesses,” said Patrick Chenier, president of APICA.
Photo caption: Old Aylmer Festival 2022 from the Aylmer Bulletin archives
Photo credit: Greg Newing
