Festival du Bois features Métis Village and more family fare at Mackin Park, March 7 to 9

Maillardville’s music and culture event hosts free contra dance, Youth Zone Tent, and more

Festival du Bois takes place at Mackin Park from March 7 to 9

IT’S AN EXCUSE to wear plaid: Festival du Bois is just about here, coming to Coquitlam’s Mackin Park from March 7 to 9. Maillardville’s music and culture festival features acts from right across Canada, with music and dance rooted in French Canadian, Celtic, folk, and world traditions for all ages. Kids 12 and under are free.

The on-site Métis Village Experience features performances and stories as well as the opportunity to learn more about the history, tradition, and rich and vibrant culture of the Métis people.

On Friday night, there’s a free contra dance, which has become a huge draw. Songs just for kids take place in the Youth Zone’s Kids Tent (or Petit Chapiteau) with Will’s Jams, Micah, and others.

Then there’s the food: cuisine traditionelle, poutine, tourtière, French'eese’s raclette, maple taffy on snow, and more, plus a beer garden.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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