Local businesses lined the street, offering a variety of goods, treats and services. The Fort Coulonge Fire Department was on barbecue duty at one end of the street, while some students from École secondaire Sieur de Coulonge performed an acoustic concert for passersby.

Two new attractions joined the lineup this year: a bike and skateboard competition on Fort Coulonge’s new pump track, and an “adventure passport” activity for children.

Participants in the pump track competition were judged on their style, smoothness, and speed around the track. Sixteen-year-old Lincoln Dubeau won the senior division, while five-year-old Wilder Hodgins claimed the junior title. Each took home a new bike donated by the Mansfield Home Hardware.

The adventure passport gave children a mission: collect stamps from all 32 booths. Once completed, the passport could be swapped for a toy.

Alex and Sarah Tremblay attended the festival for the first time with their son Alphonse. Alex said they were pleasantly surprised by the day’s many activities and shared that their 15-month-old met his first lizard at the reptile petting zoo, another new addition to this year’s attractions.

Each year the event is organized by a dedicated volunteer. This year, that role was taken on by first-time organizer Danelle Bourque who had guidance from her mother, herself a former organizer.

Sponsors for this year’s celebration included Desjardins, MRC Pontiac, André Fortin, CHIP FM, Municipality of Mansfield, Énergie Brookfield, and SADC.

“It’s a big celebration of the community,” Bourque said, adding that the festival also gives local businesses a chance to promote themselves.

Among them was Celine String, who brought her home décor and candle business to the festival, and in person, for the first time.

“This is my first time behind a table,” she said. Having launched her business just last year, she had previously operated exclusively online. She said she started the business to share the simple joys her candles bring her with others; this event allowed her to do that face to face.

Looking ahead, Bourque expressed interest in continuing in the role. On Saturday, she was already thinking about Village en Fête 2026. “3 p.m. just seems too early to end things,” she said, hinting at the possibility of extending the festivities into the evening next year.

Sophie Gagnon and Lyam Girard take a shift at the barbecue station run by the Fort Coulonge Fire Department at Village en Fête on Saturday. Photo: Emma McGrath

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