A Hunter’s Parade at the Moose Festival in Val-d’Or

(…) The Moose Festival had many highs in the 1970s and the 1980s. This festival gave way to many activities, one of the most memorable being the parade float and the hunters with their trophies, dancing nights, feathered headdress competitions, moosecalls competitions, the crowning of the queen, and of course, the hunting widows’ party! Funny story, wearing flannel (a hunter’s clothes) was mandatory during the festival or you would be subject to a fine…

(…) The end of the Moose Festival journey arrived in 1995, its 27^th and last edition

(…) Even though it caused many disputes, many citizens of Val d’Or have great memories of this festival. In the beginning, it was a way to show the touristic potential of the region, particularly regarding hunting and fishing with the appreciation of moose hunting.

Source : Geneviève Rouleau-Lafrance, « Le Festival de l’orignal de Val-d’Or », in L’Indice bohémien, number July-August 2019.

A parade during Val-d’Or’s Moose Festival during the 70s. By François Ruph. BAnQ Rouyn-Noranda, François Ruph Fonds (P227, S16, P89).