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active family travel,  family,  Quebec,  Travel

Tremblant International Blues Festival – All the Shades of Blues

The village at the base of Mont-Tremblant is awake in a riot of Blues, Purples and Golds. Spotlights, instruments, televisions, bleachers decorate the pedestrian village. Crowds of all ages fill the streets and common spaces between restaurants and shops.

Here the sights and sounds of the International Blues Festival wake you up and lull you to sleep in the middle of the month of July at gorgeous Mont-Tremblant in Quebec.

On the 24th ever occasion of the Festival International Du Blues De Tremblant I am visiting with a group of travel writers. Together, we are experiencing the best of all the activities that Tremblant has to offer in the summer months. Fortunately, our trip has also coincided with the International Blues Festival.

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Steve Hill

The village of Mont-Tremblant doesn’t possess an ugly side. It is photogenic, charming, alive. As magical in the summer as it is in ski season. Clean, pristine and vibrant year round. Mid-July is a dramatic transformation from the brittle cold of February. Gone are the exhausted skiers sipping hot chocolate and eating chili, replaced by families, music lovers and outdoorsy adventure seekers, content with craft beer or wine, and pizza.

In the past I have been to Tremblant in the winter months and my family even learned how to ski there not so long ago. But my experience with Mont Tremblant is that of a skier and so when the snow is melted and the mountain transformed into a summer playground it leaves a deep impression. Everything is changed, but the outdoors is as inviting as it is in the winter months, maybe even more so because the snow capped mountain is now accessible for hiking and zip lining.


And the village below this month is a feast for all your senses, with multiple stages, music and crowds gathered outdoors to celebrate summer and unique sounds. This year there were over 100 musical acts to listen to, mostly free, on five different stages throughout the pedestrian village.

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Tremblant is a four season ski destination in the heart of the Laurentians. I was warned before I left Tremblant in summer is all about the music. It’s true. Music is celebrated here in the summer months and there are many festivals and events in July and August too.

The day we arrive in Tremblant we are kept busy eating and touring and zip-lining with Ziptrek Tours. It’s my birthday and after a dessert and a round of Happy Birthday from my travel companions we split off to take photos of the International Blues Festival Acts. Of course we enjoyed the music too.

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Dione Taylor with one of the Bluesfest photographers. Taylor lives in Quebec now but was raised in Saskatchewan. She started playing the organ at 4 years old. Now she combines gospel vocals with sounds of the delta blues.

Blues styles are varied and rich at the annual International Blues Festival. The setting is casual and comfortable. If you are still dining when the music starts you will hear it permeating the area while you enjoy dinner or drinks in the restaurants, cafes and bars nearby. Maybe you have a young family and hang out on the balcony of your room watching and listening to the Blues artists after dinner.

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GodBoogie

Crowds gather celebrating all the shades of the Blues, with artistic styles influenced by Gospel, Soul, Rock and Boogie Woogie. Major shows occur at Place Saint-Bernard, discovery concerts at Place des Voyageurs, Place Deslauriers and on stage in Vieux-Tremblant, with the jam sessions in the resto-bars of the pedestrian village and the shows at the Village Church. Tremblant International Blues Festival has won many awards and is undoubtedly one of the most intimate international festivals.

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International blues musical acts come from all over. There are internationally renowned acts and local stars too. In addition to the scheduled acts on the various stages there are also some special guests in bars and restaurants.

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The Hogtown All Stars from Ontario, Canada

The 25th year for this festival is approaching in July of 2018 and it promises to be something special. Musical lovers, young and old, will enjoy all the shades of blues that Tremblant offers visitors in July.

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Don’t be afraid to dance.

Tremblant International Blues Festival:

July 6 to 15, 2018 is the next Tremblant International Blues Festival. I highly recommend it.

I was a guest while staying in Quebec this summer. As such, I received accommodations, transportation and other perks while there. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. 

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

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