Festival history
This is an amended version of the article published in the July 2025 issue of Québec Folklore.
The Sutton Fiddle Festival: A Story of Passion and Tradition
Olivier Massé
Since 2014, the charming village of Sutton, nestled in the heart of the Eastern Townships, has hosted an annual fiddle festival. Renowned for its bucolic landscapes and outdoor activities, Sutton is also a fertile ground for cultural events. The perfect place to celebrate trad music!
A Splendid Start
It was Jean de Grosbois who launched the very first edition of the festival, under the auspices of Espace Sutton, a local nonprofit organization. Jean was a board member there and initiated and coordinated the project thanks to financial support from the Town of Sutton and the cultural fund of the Brome-Missisquoi MRC.
Pascal Gemme handled the artistic direction. The program was already dreamworthy: Pascal himself, David Boulanger, George Wilson, Daniel Boucher, Jessie and Greg Boardman, Marie-Soleil Pilette, Yann Falquet and Mario Loiselle took the stage. The opening night began beautifully with a screening of the cult film La Veillée des Veillées, setting the tone for a promising adventure.
From its very beginning, the festival was a great success with the public.
Shortly after, the organization Musique et Traditions Illimitées was created to carry the festival, and it continues to ensure its mission to this day.
A Beautiful Evolution
Over the years, Jean and Pascal continued to grow the festival. The facilities improved, the programming expanded to four days, and renowned artists like Peter Burke, David Greely, Lisa Ornstein and many others joined the celebration. Strong bonds were forged, both artistically and personally.
The formula remained faithful to the original spirit: transmission workshops, spontaneous music sessions, major concerts, children’s activities… and above all, plenty of joy!
With time, new faces took over. Thomas de Grosbois became general director, while Gabrielle Létourneau and later Marjolène Forest succeeded one another in artistic direction.
Resilience During the Pandemic and the Birth of a Tradition
The year 2020 naturally brought its share of challenges. Despite the pandemic, the festival was held in a lighter version, respecting public‑health guidelines. The chilly weather did not dampen the artists’ enthusiasm — they delivered comforting performances at a time when they were greatly needed.
In 2023, the arrival of a public piano in the heart of the village gave rise to a new activity: the morning session. It is a magical moment where passersby and festival‑goers meet over coffee or a bagel, lulled by the sounds of traditional music.
A Well‑Rooted Bilingual Identity
Sutton is a bilingual community enriched by the heritage of anglophone “Townshippers” who have lived in the region for several generations. There is even a bilingual elementary school under the responsibility of two school service centers — a rarity in Quebec!
The festival reflects this linguistic duality by offering shows and activities in both French and English, attracting a varied audience from Quebec to New England.
2024: A Landmark Edition
For its eleventh edition, the festival was guided by the artistic vision of Gilles Garand, who energized it with new momentum. Gilles became involved in Sutton’s community life, and the relationships he built led to a unifying event in the heart of the village, where new venues were brought into the fold.
Normand Goulet, a longtime resident, strengthened a valuable relationship with the Legion and Sutton School, allowing the festival to offer an ideal site for the big tent and a more nature‑friendly campground — to the great delight of our campers.
A Promising 2025 Edition
Recently, Gilles needed to rest, and Pascal Gemme once again took up the torch of artistic direction. Alex Kehler, a member of the festival’s artistic committee since the beginning, contributed to the development of this year’s program, along with mandolinist Jonathan Bélanger, who completes the production leadership team. The 2025 program is therefore a joyful blend of the visions of all these passionate people.
Among the workshop artists: Bruce Molsky, master of Appalachian old‑time; Patrick Ourceau, a key figure in Irish music; and Véronique Plasse, ambassador of Quebec’s heritage. A trio that perfectly embodies the spirit of the festival: rooted, open, and bilingual.
Many other artists from the Eastern Townships, from Quebec, and from elsewhere are also part of the program.
We have only one piece of advice: come live the experience! And why not take the opportunity to visit the region’s vineyards or simply breathe the pure air of our mountains?
And Tomorrow?
The festival’s future looks bright. Thanks to the support of numerous partners, the Town of Sutton, an engaged board of directors, a passionate artistic direction team, and a strong volunteer force, we have everything needed to continue for many years to come.
Our promise? To remain faithful to what built our reputation: an intimate atmosphere, exceptional sound quality, memorable concerts… and a vibrant community!