One of the country’s largest celebrations of French-Canadian culture, Festival du Bois, presented by Société de Maillardville, is back for its 33rd edition in Mackin Park from April 1 to 3, 2022.
After going virtual last year, organizers are eager to welcome back the public for an action-packed weekend of folk, roots, global and Québécois music from French Canada and beyond.
“We're happy to be back, and we want people to dance and have fun,” Festival du Bois artistic and executive director Joanne Dumas says.
“It’s a fun weekend in the park with music and dance and great food. That’s the essence of what Festival du Bois is all about.”
Festival du Bois started as a small community event to celebrate the French people who came and worked in the forestry industry in Maillardville in Coquitlam.
“We try to keep that spirit alive still,” Dumas explains.
33 years later, and it’s still going strong, with participants encouraged to dress in plaid shirts to celebrate the original lumberjacks.
Not only does the festival host some of Canada’s finest music artists at an affordable ticket price, but it also offers engaging entertainment, especially for kids and families, including on-site performers, workshops, fabulous food, a market area, and a wealth of bon esprits.
Here’s just a small taste of what you can expect this year:
Affordable tickets
Keeping prices accessible is important to the organizers. Compared to similar events, prices for the Festival du Bois are affordable.
Secure your tickets online in advance to access a special discount.
Wealth of musical entertainment
“This is not the type of event where people go to sit and watch the performer,” Dumas says. “It’s a type of festival where people get up and dance to the performer.”
Dumas ensures to keep close tabs on up-and-coming local bands as well as successful global acts to create a diverse and entertaining lineup featuring folk, roots, world music and the many cultures of French Canada.
At the 2022 festival, you can hear the traditional music of the Quebecois, an urban mix of Quebec music, zydeco and other roots sounds, music from West Africa, Métis Jigging, B.C. fiddle traditions and more.
The Métis Experience
This year, Festival du Bois is excited to welcome again the North Fraser Métis Association, Region 2, to share some of the Métis people’s history, art, culture, perspectives and traditions with festival participants.
Under the guidance of elders, artists, musicians and other knowledgeable community members, The Métis Experience will allow visitors to see, hear, learn, and participate in their rich and dynamic culture.
Elders will tell stories from Métis history, share artifacts, and teach you words from Michif, the Métis language.
The Youth Zone
The Youth Zone is a special area of the festival packed with fun activities for the whole family.
Get your face painted, enjoy a fun performance in the children’s tent, and stop by the Sugar Shack for some maple taffy on snow.
Fabulous festival food
Bring an empty stomach and take advantage of the chance to fill up on some delicious treats, including traditional Québécois fare, including hearty tourtière, poutine, delicious crepes, African fusion food, and some tasty maple sugar pie.
Visual arts exhibition
This year’s Festival d Bois art exhibit will showcase the work of Sylvie Roussel-Janssen, a Chilliwack resident who was born in Montreal and graduated from the Emily Carr College of Art.
Roussel-Janssen takes a sustainable approach to sculpture, using recycled materials in all her work, which is the intersection of art, craft, and design.
The artist’s work will be featured on Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
To see a full listing of performers and activities, and to buy your tickets now, visit www.festivaldubois.ca.
