St. Boniface, January 20, 2022 – The largest French event in Western Canada, Festival du Voyageur, anticipates offering programming that continues to shine that famous joie de vivre and Voyageur spirit. At present, a hybrid in-person and virtual format is planned for the celebration of the 53rd Festival du Voyageur taking place from February 18 to 27, 2022.
A creative, ambitious, and tenacious team at Festival du Voyageur is planning a wide range of activities and performances by local artists. Festivalgoers will be able to step into the always greatly anticipated Parc du Voyageur to benefit from outdoor activities such as historical interpretation at Fort Gibraltar, children’s playground and large slide, horse sleigh rides, snowshoeing, sticky and delicious maple taffy, and traditional and contemporary music projecting from the new Boîte à chansons – a mobile concert trailer!
Additionally, the Relais du Voyageur will be back at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain (CCFM) with daily and nightly weekend in-person and virtual performances. For festivalgoers at home, a selection of these performances will be available for viewing online and accessible on demand.
“Just like the Voyageurs did in troubled waters, we continue to paddle the canoe forward,” explains Darrel Nadeau, Executive Director of the Festival du Voyageur. “Festival enthusiasts have a desire to be back at the Parc du Voyageur to celebrate once again, to dance and be festive. We owe it to them to remain optimistic regarding programming for Festival 2022 and have planned over 50 performances, outdoor activities and various ways to celebrate from home.”
Festival continues to monitor the situation regarding COVID-19 and will adapt accordingly to any potential changes to the restrictions currently in effect. The organisation is dedicated to creating a safe environment where festivalgoers can celebrate their joie de vivre.
Tickets for access to the Parc du Voyageur and the performances at the CCFM will be on sale in February in accordance with the restrictions and guidelines as established by Public Health. Follow the Festival’s social media accounts to receive the latest information on tickets and programming. (Facebook: @festivalduvoyageur; Instagram: @fdvoyageur; Twitter: @FDVoyageur)
Visit heho.ca for the latest information on Festival du Voyageur 2022.
For all inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Chantal Vielfaure, Director of Marketing, Communications and Sales [email protected] | Office: (204) 258-2560 | Cell: (204) 995-1659
ANTICIPATED PROGRAMMING FOR FESTIVAL 2022
*Please note that changes can be made to the following programming at any time and without notice.
PARC DU VOYAGEUR PRESENTED BY CAISSE FINANCIAL GROUP
An outdoor Parc du Voyageur will be open! Festivalgoers will be able to gather outdoors to participate in a wide variety of activities. You will once again be able to experience all the sights, sounds, and even the comforting odors of woodchips and traditional meals.
Outdoor Activities
- Historical Interpretation at Fort Gibraltar presented by Université de Saint-Boniface
- Concerts in the Boîte à chansons presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
- Feu d’infinité supported by The Winnipeg Foundation
- Ice Sculpting Workshop presented by Qualico
- Children’s Playground and large slide presented by Manitoba Hydro
- Horse Sleigh Rides and Snowshoeing presented by Cabela’s
- Tente de réchauffement (warmup tent) presented by Cabela’s
- Winter Trading Camp
- Maple Taffy
- Food vendors
- National Snow Sculpting Symposium
- P’tchi Symposium presented by Conseil jeunesse provincial (CJP)
- Souvenirs and merchandise
NEW! Boîte à chansons presented by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries
Creativity is flowing and rolling! Festival du Voyageur is proud to present its shiny new mobile concert trailer entitled – Boîte à chansons (music box). The trailer now makes it possible to host outdoor concerts while keeping artists warm.
Anticipated schedule at the Parc du Voyageur:
- Saturday, February 19 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 20 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 21 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February 26 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 27 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
NEW! Feu d’infinité supported by The Winnipeg Foundation
A new gathering place honouring the Red River Métis will be placed at the heart of the Parc du Voyageur. This 12-meter-long structure shaped in the form of the Métis flag’s infinity symbol can accommodate more than 30 people around two campfires.
NEW! Ice Sculpting Workshop presented by Qualico
A brand new ice sculpting workshop will be offered for the first time at this year’s event. Anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at ice sculpting will have the opportunity at the various daily workshops which will be held at the Parc du Voyageur on February 19, 20, 21, 26 and 27.
Snow Sculpture Symposiums
At the Parc du Voyageur, large blocks of snow will once again be sculpted into unique shapes for all to admire. Teams from various provinces and territories will take part in the National Snow Symposium.
The P’tchi Symposium presented by Conseil jeunesse provincial (CJP) is also making its way back to the park. This symposium was created to help foster the next generation of snow sculptors!
RELAIS DU VOYAGEUR | SERIES OF PERFORMANCES AT THE CCFM PRESENTED BY AIR CANADA, BELL MTS AND SIRIUS XM
In-person programming is planned at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain (CCFM) to celebrate Festival 2022. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to attend day and evening performances. Come support local artists that will get you jigging and enjoying time with friends and family.
Festival is proud to continue to support local artists such as Rayannah, Jocelyne Baribeau, Gerald Laroche, Coulee, Les Surveillantes, Fontine, Ila Barker, Sierra Noble, Sun Runner, and Roman Clarke.
Anticipated schedule:
- Friday, February 18 | 8:00-10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February 19 | 1:00-3:00 p.m. / 8:00-10:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 20 | 1:00-3:00 p.m. / 8:00-10:00 p.m.
- Monday, February 21 | 1:00-3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, February 24 | 8:00-10:00 p.m. (Petit Canada presented by CJP)
- Friday, February 25 | 8:00-10:00 p.m.
- Saturday, February 26 | 12:00-4:00 p.m. (Jigging Contest) / 8:00-10:00 p.m.
- Sunday, February 27 | 12:00-4:00 p.m. (Fiddling Contest)
Fiddling and Jigging Competitions presented by Power Corporation of Canada and Wawanesa
Festival du Voyageur’s classic fiddling and jigging competitions will take place at the CCFM during its second weekend and will include a virtual category. Everyone hoping to take part in the competitions will be able to either send in a video or do so in-person and demonstrate their amazing talents in front of an audience and judges!
THE FORKS | SERIES OF PERFORMANCES PRESENTED BY MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES
For everyone planning to spend their evenings at the Forks, a new free series of evening performances consisting of local musical talent will take place keeping spirits warm with the rhythms projected directly from the Boîte à chansons.
Anticipated schedule at the Forks:
- Tuesday, February 22
- Wednesday, February 23
- Thursday, February 24
- Friday, February 25
FESTIVAL AT HOME
In addition to the in-person programming at Parc du Voyageur, CCFM and the Forks, Festival du Voyageur recognizes the importance of offering activities, performances, and content in general for festivalgoers to celebrate from the safety and comfort of their homes.
Online Performances presented by Air Canada, Bell MTS and Sirius XM
Building on last year’s content, a new series of performances will be recorded and published on Festival du Voyageur’s YouTube channel. This will ensure that all festivalgoers who are unable to attend in person will still be able to feel that authentic joie de vivre.
Virtual Tente Forest presented by The Winnipeg Foundation
A new section entitled Tente Forest will be added to the website where a variety of Indigenous programming will be posted for all to enjoy. Tente Forest will consist of workshops, performances, and a new series of Minut Michif.
Minut Michif presented by The Winnipeg Foundation
A second series of Minut Michif, in partnership with the Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba, will consist of six new videos which focuses on modern Métis culture that is rooted in tradition. This series explores Métis culture and traditions which are passed down from one generation to the next.
Meal and Cocktail Take-home Kits
The take-home meal and cocktail kits are back! The meals will consist of traditional French-Canadian cuisine such as tourtière, pea soup, and bannock provided by Promenade Café and Wine. Additionally, the iconic ice glasses will be available for order with Festival du Voyageur inspired cocktails from Patent 5 Distillery.
Virtual Kids Zone
The Virtual Kids Zone presented by the Éducatrices et éducateurs francophones du Manitoba (ÉFM) will be the go-to spot for parents looking for free activities for their kids. The page hosts activity booklets, entertainment, learning exercises and more.
Online Boutique & 2022 Merchandise
Festival’s online boutique is stocked with everything you need to put you in the Voyageur spirit. For the third year, the official merchandise features a wordmark created by local talented artist Jordan Stranger. Watch the 2022 wordmark launch video.
Pea Soup Competition presented by Roquette
The Pea Soup Competition will take place from the comfort of people’s homes once again this year. Participants will be able to pick up a kit of four different pea soups from Promenade Café and Wine and vote for their favourite on heho.ca.
Snow Sculptures in Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg will soon be decorated with large blocks of snow which will be transformed into beautiful pieces of art available for all to admire. Festival du Voyageur is harnessing all the local, world-class talent to build nearly 40 snow sculptures. In addition to the staple tuque and boots sculptures, Provencher Boulevard alone will host four large sculptures, creating a beautiful drive through experience.
An interactive map will be published on Festival’s website making it easier to find the locations of each sculpture.
Festival à la maison
The series Festival à la maison presented by Université de Saint-Boniface which was developed in 2021 is still accessible online and offers families various activities they can do from their homes.
Through this series, people can learn how to make classic French-Canadian foods, build a snow sculpture in their yard, craft their own instruments, make some delicious maple taffy and other maple desserts.
Canada Life School Program
Festival du Voyageur’s Canada Life School Program is once again running as a virtual program offering a variety of activities for classrooms and students who are learning from home. This inclusive and accessible program highlights the history, cultures, languages, and of course, joie de vivre of our ancestors. Students will be able to access a series of free interactive activities that cover a range of topics such as voyageurs, canoes, Manitoba’s mammals, and more! Live virtual presentations directly from Fort Gibraltar will also being offered and feature colourful fur trade characters from the past who will interact with students in a safe manner.
