Even if Mother Nature wasn't very cooperative with the Rigaud Color Festival organizing committee this weekend, smiles, fun and festival-goers were still on hand on October 8 and 9 for the 25th edition of the event. 

Due to weather conditions, organizers had to make the agonizing decision to cancel the activities scheduled for Saturday, October 7. The many millimeters of rain expected that day risked compromising the safety of the artisans, producers, volunteers, organizers and artists who were due to take part in the event that day. Cancellation was therefore the only option to ensure everyone's safety. 

Nevertheless, the Rockology show, scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at 11 a.m., will be rescheduled for 2024. As for the Jonathan Roy show, scheduled for 4 p.m. on the same day, it has been postponed until the evening of Monday, October 9. 

Good attendance on Sunday 

Despite the cancellation of the previous day's activities, the Festival des couleurs de Rigaud was well attended on Sunday, October 8. As in previous years, young and old alike enjoyed the festivities. While mom or dad shopped at the Marché des Saveurs or discovered the talents of the artisans, the little ones had fun in the children's zone set up especially for them. 

Rigaud firefighters, cadets, the Le Tournant organization and Promotuel were also on hand to discuss their services with interested visitors. Strolling entertainment also put smiles on the faces of young and old alike as they came across the colorful and amusing characters. 

An estimated 5,000 festival-goers turned out on Sunday to enjoy the colors and this popular fall activity. 

The group Alter ego entertained the crowd from 11 a.m. with covers of numerous musical classics, while Bleu Jeans Bleu sang hits such as Bacon en bédaine, J'ai mangé trop de patates frites and Coton Ouaté. 

On Monday, country music was the order of the day, with Guylaine Tanguay warming up the crowd from 11am. Many festival-goers turned out to hear Quebec's queen of country despite the steady rain. 

Then, at 2:30pm, the band Lendemain de veille, regulars at the Festival des couleurs, took to the stage to get the party going with their hits Chez Joe, Ti-jo Monfarlo, On était saoul and 1000 bouteilles. This was the band's 4th visit to the event, the last being in 2017. A performance that, at the time, had to be cancelled due to the weather. The crowd and the band were happy to renew acquaintance after this missed appointment. 

Between these two performances, the Star Dance country dance school was on hand on the dance floor in front of the stage to teach interested parties the rudiments of line dancing. 

Then, on Monday evening, the Festival des couleurs de Rigaud experienced a first despite its 25 well-sounded editions. Performer Jonathan Roy presented his show at 7 p.m., the event's first evening performance at Rigaud's Parc Chartier-de-Lotbinière. The circumstances made for a magical evening. 

Over the next few days, the Corporation du Festival des couleurs de Rigaud will take stock of the 2023 event, before combining its efforts for the 2024 edition, to be held on October 12-13 and 14.