Lunch for attendees and their guests
Wonderful Sightings – Quebec Union for the Rehabilitation of Birds of Prey (UQROP).
Wonderful Sightings! is an event that invites the public to witness the work of the Quebec Union for the Rehabilitation of Birds of Prey (UQROP). UQROP’s mission centers on conserving birds of prey and their natural habitats. To fulfill this mission, the nonprofit organization undertakes two main activities : rehabilitating birds of prey and educating the public about these magnificent creatures.
Wonderful Sightings! supports these two key activities :
Firstly, it marks the final phase in the rehabilitation journey. This is where the wild birds of prey admitted into UQROP’s care come to strengthen their flying skills before being released. Did you know that most rehabilitated birds of prey are set free right on the site of Wonderful Sightings!?
Secondly, the team at Wonderful Sightings! shares their enthusiasm for birds of prey and promotes public awareness through various means : bird flight demonstrations, interactive workshops in schools, public talks, virtual animations, and much more!
Statera Cruises
Boat tours through the 103 islands of the archipelago
On this guided 2.5-hour cruise, explore the marshes, bays, and channels that surround the islands of Sorel and discover an ecosystem rich in unique fauna and flora.
A biosphere reserve to cherish
Did you know that Lake Saint-Pierre is acknowledged by UNESCO as a distinctive biosphere reserve? Indeed, its 103 islands remain 90% untouched by human activity. In addition to visiting the largest collection of islands in the St. Lawrence, you will be positioned perfectly to observe the majestic heron, as the archipelago is home to the largest heronry in North America.
This cruise offers you the chance to enjoy a guided journey through the currents and explore a stunning ecological haven, set in a fluvial environment where time appears to halt.
Your vessel: the Narvak Explorer
Welcome aboard the Narvak Explorer, a boat designed to hold up to 40 passengers. Settle in and embark on an exhilarating nautical adventure through this vibrant archipelago brimming with life!
Lunch for congress participants and companions
8:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Theatre of the Lady of Heart and a planned visit to the Upton general store (if time permits)
11:30 AM to 2:00 PM Visit to Coteau des Artisans vineyard + lunch on site
2:15 PM to 3:30 PM Visit to the Geese Inn
4:15 PM Return to the Convention Center
6:00 PM Cocktail
6:30 PM Banquet
Theatre of the Lady of Heart
The Theatre of the Lady of Heart (TDC), led by Messrs. Richard Blackburn and René Charbonneau, is a non-profit Quebec theatre company specializing in family shows featuring giant puppets. Located in Upton, TDC, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, presents large-scale performances every summer in an outdoor venue with rotating seating to follow the action over 270 degrees.
TDC is also a center for research, creation, production, dissemination, cultural mediation, and training, managing each step of its performances. It develops oversized puppets measuring up to 35 feet tall and 49 feet wide, operated by forklifts or hydraulic trucks. TDC also creates aerial puppets inspired by the circus, utilizing a harness to transfer the puppeteer’s energy to the puppet.
TDC incorporates audiovisual devices in its puppets, spatializing sound over 360 degrees and using projection. The materials used vary: inflatable fabrics, aluminum, wood, iron, fiberglass, foam, latex, etc.
Internationally, TDC has produced shows in Singapore, Japan, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Taipei, and collaborated with Cirque du Soleil for the Wintuk performance in New York in 2006. The TDC site houses the Alphonse-Desjardins Baroque Puppet Interpretation Center (CIMBAD) and a pedestrian walkway leading to the Nature Park of the Acton region, offering a 1.2 km walking trail with views of the Le Renne and Noire rivers.
Coteau des Artisans Vineyard
Overlooking the Noire River at the exit of the village of Béthanie, the Coteau des Artisans vineyard impresses with both the quality of its wines and its dreamlike location. The vineyard opened in 2019 after 7 years of hard work by owners Jocelyn Deslandes and Karine Lamoureux. The slope of the land allowed for part of the building to be embedded, resulting in the construction process. The owners even pushed the concept further by creating a three-level wine cellar accessible from the outside, all gravity-fed! The boutique boasts a magnificent view of the Noire River. The warmth of wood pairs with contemporary lightness, creating a space that invites you to linger!
The enterprise is a pioneer in Quebec for raising wines in clay and stone amphorae. This unique traditional method promotes natural deacidification, respects grape varieties, and enhances wine quality. Since 2020, the vineyard has been accumulating international awards for its products. Eco-responsible choices guide every decision made by the enterprise from the start, positioning Coteau des Artisans as an exemplary eco-responsible company. Sipping a good glass of Quebec wine created by two passionate producers embodies what Coteau des Artisans is all about.
At the Geese Inn
Located on a 38-acre site, the Au Gîte des Oies enterprise in Roxton Falls was founded in 2015. The company experienced remarkable succession when young entrepreneur Safia Barrou acquired it in May 2022.
With its lakes, blueberry fields, a pair of swans, and relaxation areas, Au Gîte des Oies is the perfect getaway. You will discover the history of the Geese Inn and learn more about this indigenous Quebec bird, as well as about responsible farming practices that follow the natural cycle of geese, where the environment and animal welfare are at the heart of priorities. Au Gîte des Oies is composed of a large family passionate about agriculture and projects, putting love into the production of geese, from egg to market. Their young and dynamic team believes in local agriculture, rooted in a sustainable ecosystem that ties its success to strong biodiversity. All team members contribute their love and passion at every stage of production, from the hatching of the goslings to the marketing of products. They enjoy meeting you during farm visits and aim to make Au Gîte des Oies a gathering site.
The Geese Inn offers delicious high-quality goose products. On-site, you will experience unique offerings. You will also have the chance to visit the farm boutique, a must-see to discover wonderful Quebec products.