Yesteryear's Fest

From 2010-09-11 to 2010-09-11

September 11, 2010

Enjoy a parade of 19th century costumes on Principale street, next to the Symmes Inn. Discover various art forms, techniques, and creations at the exhibitors area. On the program: cultural heritage and museology, ancient crafts, regional products, artists, natural science enthusiasts, and even Canadian horse-drawn carriages and carts.

The Symmes Inn Museum and the Association des professionnels, industriels et commerçants d'Aylmer (APICA, the Aylmer association of professionals, industrialists and merchants), invites the public to join the festivities of Yesteryear's Fest / Fête d'antan, Saturday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Old Aylmer.

A well-conserved heritage site of the former district administrative centre, located by Lake Deschênes (formerly Lake Chaudière... or Kettle Lake), Old Aylmer lends itself well to activities like the Fest.  Exhibitors and visitors are expected in large numbers, dressed in 19th century clothing, if possible, nearby Symmes Inn and 10, Principale, but also strolling down rue Principale and neighbourhood streets. Exhibitors of various trades will show their art, skills and products: heritage, museum artefacts, traditional trades and agriculture (country produces) will be part of the scene; as well as artists (painters) and amateurs of natural science will take part in sharing their art, crafts and knowledge with the public. Over and above Canadian horses going through Old Aylmer, horse-drawn carts, buggies and a tramway are back and will be on hand for rides and guided tours in the heritage ward. Famous people from our regional history will be crossing the crowd. Several local merchants and other institutions on Rue Principale (such as the Monastery, the Cultural Centre, the Library and the British) will participate and will add their personal touch to the ambience.

Yesteryear's Fest is growing and expanding this year. Indeed, children are invited to view movies at the Library. Actors will bring some animation on the trolley bus, at the Cultural Centre and at the Vaisseau d'or. In the evening, when comes darkness, old silent movies will be projected outside the Monastery, with some music, like in "good old times". There will be also more animation within and outside the Museum itself, and in particular for younger people. A theater play will be interpreted thrice at the British Hotel in the afternoon - a creation by Théâtre Dérives urbaines.

Finally, apart from the main tent and platform in front of the Museum, it will be possible to see other shows at the Parc de l'Imaginaire. "Yesteryear's Fest, says Richard M. Bégin, President of the Symmes Inn Museum and of APICA, will be a gathering place that will highlight the rich heritage of Old Aylmer, as well as a community, family, education and tourism fair that will help rekindle rue Principale. We want to reach as many people as we can: this is why the Museum and APICA have joined forces to organize it, with the help of a first-class committee with representatives from different fields of activity. For citizens, it will be a good opportunity to make interesting discoveries while having fun and participating into the community life they belong to. For tourists, an opportunity to discover us, in Aylmer, Gatineau and the Outaouais Region!"

Enriching Yesteryear's Fest, again this year, there will be a Yesteryear's Supper starting at 7 p.m. (deer, wall-eyed pike [doré] or chicken, at Galeries Aylmer - profits will be for the reconstruction of Aylmer's heritage church as a multi-purpose building, St. Paul's, which burned on June 11, 2009) and, the following day, an exhibition by the artists-painters at Vignoble du Clos Baillie, a local wine producer who supports Yesteryear's Supper. Symmes Inn Museum was incorporated in June 1987 and first opened its doors on June 5, 1988 at 10 rue Principale, where some exhibitors will be on hand.

The museum moved to Symmes Inn in January 2003 where it holds a permanent exhibit on the history of the Outaouais and particularly of Gatineau, as well as temporary exhibits (this summer, one of the exhibits is about the architectural concepts developed for St. Paul's multi-purpose building, and the other one is about Canadian stamps produced for Olympics over the years). The Museum is a non-profit volunteer organization housed in a municipal heritage building, Symmes Inn, recognized by the three levels of government. Since 1972, APICA's mission is to support, promote and represent the interests of professionals, industrialists and merchants of Aylmer; to encourage Aylmer residents to do business in Aylmer; and to promote Aylmer with area residents and businesses. Moreover, APICA supports and promotes cultural, artistic and community events in Aylmer, in addition to its role of representing the interests of its members and of developing Aylmer's economy and commerce.

Members of the Organizing Committee for Yesteryear's Fest / Fête d'antan include representatives from the Museum and APICA, representatives drawn from arts and crafts, from the Outaouais mycology Association (the study of mushrooms), from the Aylmer Arts Council, from the Canadian Horse Association and also representatives from the City of Gatineau (Culture, as well as "Fêtes et Festivals" Services).

Additional Information

Media enquiries: Richard M. Bégin: 819.684.4275 or 819.665.8993 (cell) Jocelyne Lauzon: 819.685.1823  rueprincipale@apica.ca