JOSHUA ALLAN
The 1019 Report
The Town of St. Lazare’s is aiming to cap off its 150th anniversary celebrations with a “major event of the year” later this month, and have turned to a former head of production with the Just For Laughs festival and performers from the Cirque du Soleil to pull it off.
The event is an “urban opera” written by Patrick Rozon, a former executive producer with the renowned Montreal comedy festival, who also happens to be a resident of St. Lazare. The production will be staged in the town’s main park as part of the annual Festi Ouest weekend. It is a six-act performance that “retraces the City of St. Lazare over the (past) 150 years,” said Paul Lavigne, president of the St. Lazare anniversary celebration committee.
“It’ll absolutely be incredible,” Lavigne said. Rozon “really did an awesome job.”
Entitled “L’arbre des merveilles,” the show will be presented on Friday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. at Bédard Park.
It is part of ongoing events that have been organized to mark the town’s 150th anniversary and is being touted as a highlight of the third annual Festi Ouest weekend, which runs Aug. 21-24 .
The performance will feature music, historical images of the town, a fireworks display and performers from the Cirque du Soleil. It is based on historical research conducted by the St. Lazare Historical Society
“We’re using local people as extras, dancers from here and musical guests from all over the place. It’ll be an incredible show,” Lavigne said.
The performance will be followed by a “Supper in the Park” on Saturday, Aug. 23. The event will be held under a tent at Bédard Park that can accommodate up to 400 guests.
“We really wanted to create things that happened in the past. We’re bringing back the Saturday family supper,” Lavigne explained. “The supper with friends, neighbours, colleagues, family. Basically, what we want is to recreate a kind of family supper event.”
Tables, chairs and music will be provided. Guests may bring their own food or purchase from the several food trucks that will be on site. The commemorative 150th anniversary beer brewed by the Trois Lacs microbrewery that has been sold at anniversary events throughout the year will be for sale.
A number of events marking the town’s 150th anniversary have been held this past winter and spring. The public reaction to the festivities thus far has been “absolutely incredible,” Lavigne said. “People are just overwhelmed by everything original that we’re doing.”
Third annual Festi Ouest
St. Lazare’s annual weekend of western-themed fun will also be returning for its third edition that weekend, kicking off on Thursday, Aug. 21. Like previous editions, the festivities will include carnival rides, live country music, line dancing classes, food trucks, a mechanical bull and a meet-and-greet with some of the horses from Les Forestiers Equestrian Club and the Équi-Libre Therapeutic Riding Centre.
Saturday will feature country artists Sorenne, who performs in both English and French; Félix Lepage, a performer from Les Coteaux; Brittany Kennell, from Beaconsfield, she appeared on The Voice; and Guylaine Tanguay, who has performed with Roch Voisine. They will take to the stage between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. Quebec artists AUDRÉE, Rebell Country and Dunberry will perform on Sunday, from noon to 4 p.m.
“This year is going to be an amazing year,” said Mayor Geneviève Lachance, referring to combining Festi Ouest with the 150th anniversary celebrations. “Just to celebrate the city and get together, all year it’s been a lot of fun.”
She has found it touching to see residents of all ages interacting at events like these, including between those who have recently moved to town and those who have lived there all their lives.
“That’s what I’m looking forward to the most, just the community gathering and the celebrating and people just being happy,” Lachance said.
Both Festi Ouest and the 150th anniversary celebrations are free events. Bracelets for access to unlimited rides are available for purchase online via the town’s website.