The Mansfield community gathered at Amyotte Park over the weekend for its annual summer party – Mansfield en Fête – which this year was jam-packed with a ball tournament, live music, dance performances, fireworks and kids’ activities.
A new addition to the festival this year brought a touching moment to the weekend. Residents from Mansfield long-term care home Manoir Sacré-Cœur were invited to enjoy the Saturday afternoon music.
Residence manager Léon Lance said he was slightly shocked to hear of the proposal, because the residence does not often endeavour excursions like this, but was thrilled to be invited.
Twelve residents made the trip, thanks to transportation donated by TransporAction.
“It was a great experience,” he said.“[It] shows people that we are here, because we’re part of this community too.”
One resident, Lilas Durocher from Fort Coulonge, said she had been looking forward to the trip. “It’s lots of fun,” she said while listening to the music.
Lance said it was such a positive experience that it might just have to become an annual tradition.
The three-day event was organized by a group of 11 volunteers as a fundraiser for the Mansfield and Pontefract Fire Department.
All proceeds from the weekend will go toward purchasing lifesaving equipment for the fire department.
Local artists took to the stage throughout Friday and Saturday, sharing the floor with headliners 148 West Band on Friday and the weekend headliner, Sandman, a Metallica tribute band on Saturday.
“The musicians from the tribute band actually look like the actual Metallica musicians. So it’ll be very special,” said Martin Leguerrier, president of the organizing committee.
Leguerrier said the ball tournament is a cornerstone of the festival. The fourteen-team, three-day event put the diamond through a thorough workout. Games were scheduled all day, running late into the night, stopping only for the Sandman concert, and resuming on Sunday to wrap up the tournament before supper time. Interest was so high, he noted, that some teams had to be turned away.
Making the weekend accessible to everyone was a goal of the committee. Entrance to the ball tournament and the live music required a fee, but access to the kids’ games and activities on Saturday was completely free.
Magalie Boisvert, who organized the kids’ activities, said it was important that it was accessible so that everyone could participate without having to worry about an entrance cost.
