Ripon Trad 2024: A festival not to be missed

Eclectic, prestigious programming

The festival kicks off on Thursday evening with all-female performances. At 6pm, the outdoor stage will welcome the Germaine quintet, followed by the É.T.É. trio, nominated at ADISQ for traditional album of the year. The evening will conclude with a folk ball hosted by local group Les Bobettes and their guests, a novelty inspired by the spontaneous dances that have emerged at previous concerts.

On Friday, the festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with Musique à Bouches on the outdoor stage, followed by a cuddly dance hosted by Le Grand Portage. At 8:30 p.m., under the big top, La Tuque Bleue will celebrate 30 years of existence, a special evening marked by their return to Ripon after a similarly successful 25th anniversary. The evening will continue with Scottish band Talisk, known for their electrifying performances, marking the first appearance of an international group at the festival.

A festive family Saturday

Saturday will be a busy day, with programming starting at 10:30 a.m. at the village church with the musical play "Les Auditions - Temps des fêtes" by Ginette Séguin and the Otis family. All day long, the village will be alive with over 30 acoustic concerts in various venues, featuring local artists such as Le Diable à Cinq, Frères et Frak, Les Dames D'abord, and many more.

At 6pm, the outdoor stage vibrates to the sound of Mélisande - Rembobine, followed by Les Campagnards at 7:30pm under the big top. The evening culminates with La Bottine Souriante at 9:30 p.m., a legendary group from the Quebec scene, performing songs from their new album "Domino" as well as classic hits. The evening will be hosted by Stéphane Archambault, lead singer of Mes Aïeux, adding a special touch to this memorable party.

Gentle closing

On Sunday morning, the festival will offer workshops and free family-oriented activities in the main square. The festival closes on a high note with Cédric Dind-Lavoie's Archives project at 11 a.m. in the community hall, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere to round off the four days of festivities.

Record attendance expected

With record attendance expected for this fifth edition, Ripon Trad is set to welcome over 6,000 festival-goers. Last year, over 5,000 people made the trip, and the 2024 edition promises to be even bigger. The entire village will be transformed, with festive decors designed by scenographer Samuelle Desjardins, to offer festival-goers a unique immersive experience.

Tickets for the festival go on sale this Friday, May 24. Passes can be purchased online at www.ripontrad.ca or in person at Station Daniel and Intermarché in Ripon, as well as at Brasse-Camarade in Saint-André-Avellin. Prices range from $65 to $75 for adults, with reduced rates for youths aged 13 to 17 and free admission for children aged 0 to 12.