The Festi Ouest de Saint-Lazare organizing team gave a positive review of its second edition, held on August 23, 24 and 25. While official attendance figures should be available in the next few days, organizers estimate that the crowd at the Saturday evening show was larger than last year. 

In its second year, Saint-Lazare's country festival, Festi-Ouest, offered festival-goers three evenings and two days of action-packed entertainment, as well as a foretaste of the town's upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations.

Lazarois and their guests were treated to five performances in the Saloon, two full days of line dancing in the Far-Ouest, activities for young and old alike, and two major shows on the Festi Ouest Stage.

The festivities kicked off on Friday with an evening event orchestrated by the Comité des Fêtes du 150e de Saint-Lazare. Although the celebrations will officially begin in the winter of 2025, committee president Paul Lavigne and his volunteers, in collaboration with the Festi Ouest team, wanted to leave their mark and create a buzz a few months before the festivities begin.

The event welcomed families, members of the local business community, as well as Members of Parliament Marilyne Picard and Peter Schiefke.

The 1950s-1960s-themed evening featured musical hits by stars of the era, a rock'n'roll dance session, a loop of archival footage of Saint-Lazare dances, and a decor that added to the ambience, including two superb vintage cars.

Saint-Lazare residents also enjoyed a barbecue hosted by the Club optimiste de Saint-Lazare, with the invaluable assistance of members of the Club équestre les Forestier.

The evening was also an opportunity for festival-goers to sample the official 150th anniversary beer, in partnership with Microbrasserie Trois-Lacs. The superb label is the work of local artist Jacinthe Durand. Friday evening concluded under the stars with the infectious energy of Smokin' DeVille.

The festivities continued on Saturday and Sunday with country music and good spirits. Although activities got underway at 11:00 a.m., festival-goers were already looking forward to the opening of the rides and the start of the sleigh rides at 10:15.

The organizing committee had a few surprise additions for participants. Billiard tables were set up in the Saloon tent, where two top professionals, multiple Canadian champions Alain Martel and Myriam Lafranchise, were on hand to demonstrate their skills and share tips and tricks. As well, the Far-Ouest zone, set up in the Espace des muses, offered continuous line-dance classes under the direction of École Star Dance.

What's more, the presence of Trois-Lacs Microbrewery and 3 Lakes Distillery at more than one point on the site helped to quench everyone's thirst.

The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the Saturday evening show. Saint Lazare resident, singer Marvin James, electrified the crowd as the curtain rose. The artist, with three albums to his credit, quickly won over the audience.

He was followed by a man who needs little introduction: the multi-talented Gregory Charles, accompanied by his musicians and backing vocalist, the now unforgettable Klara Martel-Laroche, took the audience through a whole range of emotions, the latter sometimes singing in unison with the star. Gregory Charles pushed his performance well beyond the scheduled time, generously giving festival-goers over 45 minutes of encore time.