Festival Le Grand Dégel
Le Grand Dégel? The Great Thaw? What's that?
It is a one day, micro-festival that's packing enough to fill a three-day week-end! Inspired by pagan celebrations welcoming the return of summer light, Le Grand Dégel was created by a bunch of friends from Metis and around. Their goal was to highlight the beauty of this place, the commitment and humanity of its entrepreneurs and craftspeople, and the creativity of its artists. This is a festival rooted in human and solar warmth, and nourished by a sense of belonging.
Tickets are required for 3 events (see links at the bottom of this page), however we also offer a full day of activities with great food and an awesome ambiance!
Detailed program - Métis-sur-Mer June 8th, 2024
7h30-8h30 Nordic Bathing at sunrise
What better way to begin our Grand Dégel! Join Stéphanie Pelletier who will accompany you in an early nordic bathing session. Come enjoy the majestic setting and the morning light, and freshen up for the festival! Then, comfort yourself with warms drinks served around our beachfire.
On the beach, at the Metis Beach rest area (in front of the church located at 140, Principale), rain or shine!
Free activity with limited space. Reservations required at lepointdevente
8h00-10h00 Community Breakfast
This event is hosted by the volunteers from the Metis-sur-Mer breakfast club, our in-house experts on all matters of eggs, bacon, crepes and small potatoes! This is a great opportunity to chat with the locals and fill your tummy before a great day of activities. We will also proceed to the book launch of Live our Heritage, Trails of History by Heritage Lower Saint Lawrence at 9h00.
At the Community centre (10, rue de l’Église). Price depending on menu items selected. No reservation required.
9h30-11h30 Herbalism Workshop with Silva Herbo
Discover the fascinating practice of herborism and its multiple applications. You’ll find out about the benefits of our local wild plants and herbs, and you’ll learn how to gather and use them. Then we’ll conclude by showing you how to prepare a soothing gel for sunburns.
Terrasse of the Auberge du Grand Fleuve (131, rue Principale, just East of the rest area). Free. No reservation required.
10h45-12h15 Fencing public demonstration
The fencing club Les Pirates de l’Est is in town! Demonstrations and trials with certified trainers and all the equipment required. And for the younger ones, we’ll also have foam swords!
Multisport surface (skating ring), right beside the Community centre (10, rue de l’Église). If it rains (hey, we need rain sometimes, that’s just life), the event will be moved to des Cheminots-de l'Envol elementary school (24 rue du Couvent). Free. No reservation required.
11h45-13h15 Hot-dog lunch
Zenith sun is shining but everyone is starving! Come get yourself a couple of hot-dogs and launch yourself in a fireside impromptu chat with a stranger, or a lover.
Outside the Community centre (10, rue de L’Église). Price depending on menu items selected. No reservation required.
13h30-16h00 Storytelling circuit
Inspired by the beauty of our estuary, three storytellers (Cylia Themens, Olivier Garrot and Stéphanie Pelletier) will present short performances in three distinct locations. A guided and animated walk will lead you between the performances. We recommend you walk from the town centre to the starting point at Astle Park so you can enjoy the unbeatable view along the coast.
Departure at Astle Park (follow Principale/Beach Road for 1.5km west of the Les Boules Church). Rain or shine, so bring an umbrella! Free. No reservation required.
16h30-18h00 Dinner from Atelier Pierre-Olivier Ferry
Our acclaimed local chef proposes, in collaboration with Silva Herbo, a special and savory Festival menu to be reserved as take-out. You can then simply grab it from the Atelier and walk to the Community centre, or find a great spot on the beach or by one of our bonfires.
Atelier Culinaire Pierre-Olivier Ferry (164, rue Principale). The Community centre will be open and available to sit and savour your dinner. 20$. Reservation required.
18h30-20h30 Lutte à L'Est Wrestling Gala: The Revenge of Zero Waste
Far, far away in the deepness of what is sometimes called Eastern Quebec, 600 miles from the so-called Montreal and 600 miles from Gespeg, a friendly, punch-loving group of friends decided they'd start another kind or league. Inspired by their feminist killjoys roots, LUTTE À L'EST presents a wrestling gala in which women and non-binary wrestlers fight on a ring version 2.0.
The wrestling gala will be held at des Cheminots-de l'Envol elementary school (24 rue du Couvent). Easiest way to get there is to park at the rest area or church and walk towards the west on Principale (walking by Café sur mer and Ateliers Pierre-Olivier Ferry) then take a left on rue Desrosiers or rue du Couvent. 12$. General Admission with limited seats. Reservation required at lepointdevente
20h30-21h30 Musical Intermission
Don’t take it wrong if we kick you out during intermission. We need to complete some decor changes. Take the opportunity to enjoy the musical ambiances created by Robin Servant while waiting to authograph your new wrestling merch!
Outside des Cheminots-de l'Envol elementary school (24 rue du Couvent). Free, no reservations required.
21h30-22h45 Julep Julep Music show
Come enjoy the unique sound of Rimouski musical band Julep Julep. The energetic quatuor mixes influences of indie rock, pop, funk and acoustic. The group includes Jean-Raphaël Coté and Gabriel Turcotte, previously from the lower saint-lawrence band Equse, as well as Vincent Luquet and David Pelletier. Don't miss out on a festive show that will definitely warm up the whole town and make everyone dance!
The Julep Julep show will be held at des Cheminots-de l'Envol elementary school (24 rue du Couvent). Easiest way to get there is to park at the rest area or church and walk towards the west on Principale (walking by Café sur mer and Atelier Pierre-Olivier Ferry) then take a left on rue Desrosiers or rue du Couvent.
12$. General Admission (standing). Reservations required.