Need a hero? Try Festival du Voyageur

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This article was published 23/01/2017 (3372 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The latest edition of Festival du Voyageur will have a heroic feel to it.

That’s because Hého Heroes is the theme of this year’s event, which will be held between Feb. 17 and 26 at 11 official sites, including the central hub of Voyageur Park.

“Who are these heroes? In a few short weeks, you’ll come to Voyageur Park to discover them,” said Festival’s executive director Ginette Lavack Walters at a Jan. 17 event at Fort Gibraltar to celebrate the unveiling of FDV’s lineup.

Fittingly, in the year the nation celebrates its 150th birthday, the lineup features more than 150 international and local artists. This year’s slate includes Le Bal à l’huile, Wide Mouth Mason, Suroît, Les Respectables, The Justin Lacroix Band, Alfa Rococo, Jocelyne Baribeau, Monophonics, Iskwé and The Retro Rhythm Review — to name just a few.

Two exclusive ticketed shows are also lined up for the Voyageur Trading Post at Centre culturel franco-manitobain (340 Provencher Blvd.) — on Feb. 20, Quebec stars Les sœurs Boulay and Alexandre Désilets will perform, while American troubadour Martin Sexton will appear on Feb. 25.

Lavack Walters told The Lance she is excited about the 48th edition of Festival, especially as there are always new things to discover, including familiarizing herself with some of the performers.

“Once again, we have some fantastic musical guests, which I get to learn about, too,” she said.

“This is an unbelievable gathering with great energy, which offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere to everyone who attends.”

New on the schedule this year — to accompany the long-running International Snow Sculpting Symposium — is Festival’s first Wood Carving Challenge, which will feature chainsaw carvers from across Canada, including the stars of HGTV’s Carver Kings and OLN’s Sawdogs.   

As always, there will be plenty to do for visitors of all ages, and kids will be able to enjoy the redesigned winter playground with towers, tunnels and hills to climb. Adults, meanwhile, will have the chance to check out a brand-new relaxation area hosted by Thermëa or have a drink at one of two snow bars.

The Rendez-vous on Ice event, located at The Forks, will again be open to the public from Feb. 17 to 20 and will include several special events such as a fashion show on ice, a Winter Pride event celebrating Winnipeg’s LGBTTQ community, an outdoor disco, the Wild Winter Canoe Race, a family day and an outdoor bar.

As well, Festival has partnered with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to present a special preview of the museum’s newest exhibit — Our Canada, My Story — which marks the nation’s anniversary celebrations.

Again this year, transportation to and from the park will be provided in the form of a free shuttle service to help ease traffic congestion around the park and enhance the experience for visitors.

And while the 10-day event is only weeks away, there a couple of things prospective visitors can do to prepare for the celebration, according to Festival’s vice-president Simon Normandeau.

“As this year marks Canada’s 150th anniversary, this year’s theme is very apropos, as the festival is all about everyday heroes that are keen to brave the elements and enjoy music and each other,” Normandeau said.

“Winter is part of who we are as Manitobans, so we might as well embrace it. Bring the whole family and enjoy everything the festival has to offer. And you can start your training now by practising putting layers on and eating up to three poutines a week,” he added, with a laugh.

 
Area councillor Matt Allard said he felt privileged to help celebrate the latest edition of Festival in a landmark year for the nation.

“It’s a phenomenal event that has international recognition,” Allard said. “It’s an honour to be here celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary with Festival du Voyageur.”

Allard said he is looking forward to the wood carving challenge, as well as the other diverse programming at the event.

“Festival du Voyageur is a long-standing tradition in our francophone community and it’s great that the number of people celebrating the event with local Franco-Manitobans has increased.”

   
For more information, go online at heho.ca, follow Festival du Voyageur on Twitter or Facebook, or call 233-ALLÔ (2556).

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com

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