The Cigale festival will take place for the second time this Saturday, August 12th and Sunday in the Baie de Beauport in Quebec. Over these two days, around 20,000 festival-goers will enjoy the concerts, the beach, the food and the Californian atmosphere. Everyone the journal met had a smile on their face and was excited to celebrate this ending summer under the sun.
• Also read: Cigale Festival: even more beautiful and bigger
During the first edition of Cigale in 2022, some festival-goers complained about insufficient food supplies. The organizers listened.
“It’s only our second edition, so we’ve learned a lot from last year. The first thing that is important to us is the dialogue with the festival visitors (…). One of the things we saw and experienced was the food offerings. Cigale is a music-food beach. If you walk around today you will notice that the site is larger than last year. We have 25 food options. “We have tripled the food offer,” explains Martin Tremblay, President of Gestev, the organizer of Cigale.
Julie Rheaume
“Of course there is learning! Today, Saturday, it must be super nice. People arrived early. We see it works. People have big smiles (…). I would say the improvements are working,” adds Mr Tremblay.
The event was also sold out. The 20,000 hits quickly found buyers.
Walking around the grounds, we realize that Cigale attracts a large audience of different ages. Some parents even come from far away with their children to enjoy the event.
“We come from the north coast, we come from Sept-Îles. It’s the atmosphere, it’s summer… (It’s a way of) marking the end of summer before school starts,” explained Christopher Midride, accompanied by his wife Carolanne. Bélanger and their four young children the presence of his family.
Marcel Tremblay / QMI Agency
Happy restaurateurs
Restaurateurs crossed paths at the start of the day on Saturday, expecting to do good business over the weekend.
“It is the first year that we are here as Thai Zone. We don’t really know what to expect, but a lot of people will come,” hopes Stéphanie Ouellet, food truck operator at Thai Zone food, the banner’s mobile franchise.
Marcel Tremblay / QMI Agency
Restaurateur Patrick Marcil took part in Cigale for the first time with his churros truck. He was also active with a Chez Victor banner truck but was back with his burger offering for a second edition of the festival. “Last year it was two big days,” he said.
weather report
After playing all week, Mother Nature was on board with Cigale on Saturday. Although the temperature in Quebec was around 22 degrees and the sun shone shyly at times early in the day, the temperature was comfortable and comfortable.
However, Environment Canada is forecasting the possibility of showers and even a risk of thunderstorms on Sunday.
Back in 2024
Cigale will be back for a third edition in 2024. Festival dates will be announced shortly. “It is certain that there is room in the Quebec market for a festival like Cigale,” concludes Martin Tremblay.