Magog-Orford harvest festival: 80,000 visitors expected

(Montreal) Some 80,000 visitors are expected at the 26^e Magog-Orford Harvest Festival (FDVMO) taking off this Saturday in Estrie.

Posted on August 31 at 16h41

Helen Moka
The Canadian Press

The festive event, which takes place over two weekends, generates economic spinoffs estimated at 5 million in the region, according to a study conducted by the firm Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton two years ago.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Acting Executive Director of the event, Myriam Boily, pointed out that 48% of festival-goers come from the region while the other half is composed mainly of tourists from other regions of Quebec.

"We do surveys almost every year and we see that the clientele is very varied. There are as many people from (the MRC) Memphremagog as visitors from Drummondville, Victoriaville, Montreal and Quebec, says M^me Boily. It is truly a must in the region that brings very good economic benefits. "

In addition to celebrating the making of Quebec wine, the Magog-Orford Grape Harvest Festival is adding a brand new Quebec Spirits Pavilion this year, as they are gaining popularity.

The spirits show will allow cocktail lovers to receive advice from mixologists on site, according to their tastes.

A craze for Quebec products

Exhibitors at the Magog-Orford Grape Harvest Festival are also more and more likely to see a craze for Quebec products, says the event's Executive Director. For me^me Boily, there is no doubt that Quebec wines "are exceptional and to discover". She believes, however, that the Act respecting the development of the alcoholic beverage industry, passed in May 2016 at the National Assembly, has allowed local winemakers to make themselves known by a larger public in Quebec.

"Since Bill 88 has passed and allows wineries to sell their wine in grocery stores and convenience stores, we've seen the difference! Our vintners tell us, even those who sell agri-food products tell us, people are much more conscientious and they want to consume regional products, "says Myriam Boily.

The event also promotes various other regional products, enough to satisfy the curiosity of gourmands.

"Our must is the tasting pavilion, admits Myriam Boily candidly. There are 150 exhibitors inside this tasting pavilion, where people can taste wines, ciders, beer, fortified wines, agri-food products such as rillettes and cheeses and duck products ", said M^me Boily.

The Magog-Orford Grape Harvest Festival is also a family event with the "Grape Harvest Zone" specially designed for them with inflatable games, makeup and scientific cooking. The event is free for children 12 and under.

Moreover, visitors can discover the joys of wine other than by tasting it with the activity of crushing the grapes, which consists in trampling them in a large vat to extract the juice, a technique formerly used.

The program also includes several shows with Quebec artists, including Annie Blanchard, Zébulon and Tocadéo.

The 26^e Magog-Orford Wine Festival is held on two weekends, August 31, 1^st, 2, 7 and 8 September next.

> Visit the event website