Le FestivILES returns to Gananoque

Francophone culture will again take centre stage in Gananoque this week as Le FestivILES returns for its fifth season.

The four-day festival, featuring a lineup of free music, theatre, arts and family-friendly activities, begins Thursday with an opening ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by an evening of live music, the Gananoque Farmers’ Market, Bri’s Craft Club, trivia and an outdoor movie.

Organizers are encouraging attendees to bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating.

Throughout the festival, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by a diverse lineup of artists from across Ontario and Quebec while celebrating francophone language and culture in the Thousand Islands.

This year’s musical lineup includes Sugar Crush, the award-winning Franco-Ontarian country-folk duo of Joanie Charron and Marie-Soleil Provost, Toronto folk artist Jenny Whiteley, bilingual indie-pop act Good Fortune Duo and award-winning singer-songwriter Kristine St-Pierre, whose music blends folk, roots and country influences in both English and French.

The festival will also feature entertainment for all ages, including performances by The Juggling Chef, live theatre presented by Le Fâcheux Théâtre, artisan vendors and live caricature drawings by Montreal artist Francesco Santalucia. Stealing the Bloom Farm Co. will also be among the vendors participating in the festival marketplace.

Organizers say Le FestivÎLES was created to celebrate francophone heritage while bringing the community together through arts, music and culture. Since launching five years ago, the festival has continued to grow, attracting performers and visitors from across the region.

Admission to all events is free. A full festival schedule is available at Gananoque.ca.