Mosaïculture back to Gatineau for second edition this summer
The popular horticulture exhibit that took over Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau last year for Canada 150 celebrations will be back in 2018 — but you’ll have to pay.
The Quebec and federal governments announced that the exhibit — known last year as MosaïCanada 150, and run by Mosaïcultures Internationales de Montréal — will return June 24 to Oct. 15, lasting one month longer than last year.
Geneviève Ménard, the director of public relations with Mosaïculture Gatineau, said 30,000 people signed a petition asking for the event to come back for another year.
“That’s what really got the politicians thinking, “Oh my God, this is such a success,’” said Ménard. “And there was so much investment done for the 150th of Canada that they thought, “What a wonderful way to use that as a springboard to continue what we do in tourism development and economic development.’”
The City of Gatineau and Quebec government will each chip in $2 million for the exhibit, with an additional $1 million from the federal government.
This year’s event will feature 45 horticultural art pieces — 10 more than last year.
One of the pieces, called Tree of birds, will feature a towering structure weighing around 100 tonnes and representing 56 endangered bird species.
Unlike last year, admission to the exhibit will not be free. “It’s not so much that we’re charging a lot this year, it’s more that last year was a gift,” said Ménard.
Tickets will cost $20 for nonGatineau residents, and a discounted $15 for Gatineau residents to recognize the city’s financial contribution and efforts to host the large-scale event.