Amnesia Rockfest announces the signing of an agreement with the Festival d’été de Québec and major changes to its 2014 edition
Amnesia Rockfest of Montebello, the largest rock festival in Canada, is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with the Festival d’été de Québec (by now, all of you know my obsession with the Festival: flashwounds.com/2013/02/08/through-the-yearsmy-love-affair-with-the-festival-dete-de-quebec, flashwounds.com/2013/02/08/through-the-yearsmy-love-affair-with-the-festival-dete-de-quebec) as well as several major changes to its 2014 edition. As a result, the Festival d’été de Québec, through its sister company 3E évènement-expérience-émotion (event-experience-emotion), will be in charge of production and logistics for the 9th edition of Rockfest, which will be held on June 20-21 at the Montebello marina. 3E will thus replace the logistics team that was hired for the 2013 edition. General management of the event and the artistic lineup are still being handled by Amnesia Rockfest.
”I’m delighted by this partnership with the Festival d’été de Québec and the changes that we are making to the festival in 2014. I have no doubt that they will raise Rockfest up to where we want it to be because we want to create an event that lives up to our lineup. We are investing huge sums and we are doing what’s needed to effectively manage the growth that the event has experienced over the last few years. We are committed to surpassing the smooth operation and logistics of the first seven years,” said Alex Martel, President and founder of Rockfest.
”It’s a pleasure for us to provide Alex Martel, a hardworking, passionate and visionary young man, with our cooperation and expertise so that he can offer a top quality event to fans,” pointed out Daniel Gélinas, Managing Director of the Festival d’été de Québec and of 3E.
Furthermore, Amnesia Rockfest has added the participation of Site Coordinator Pierre Miron, well known in the Outaouais region for playing a similar role with the RBC Royal Bank Bluesfest, the Ottawa Folkfest and the Ottawa Marathon.
Rockfest is also proud to announce its partnership with Orkestra, a firm specialized in communications, marketing and event planning, to whom it entrusts the management of operations outside the festival grounds such as the campgrounds, parking lots, bus shuttles and other activities surrounding the festival. Orkestra has rapidly become a key player in event planning in the Outaouais region, especially with its implication in the Gatineau Beerfest, Builder for a day and in the organization of the 2014 Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne de Gatineau.
The major changes that will be made to the 9th edition include the following initiatives:
-Bracelets sent by mail beforehand, with RFID technology (bracelet equipped with a chip);
-Extension and reconfiguration of the festival grounds;
-Setting-up of two entrances, two exits and one entrance/exit for people on boats;
-Significant improvements made to sanitary facilities (toilets, water, garbage cans, cleaning);
-Completely restructured camping area, with a new central field just a few steps away from the marina;
-Complete restructuring of the parking lot and the shuttle system;
-Improved sound on the main stage and adding of LED screens;
-Paid emerging artists who will open the various stages rather than being on a separate stage.
Photo by Valérie Ménard
”We are greatly motivated by the idea of meeting the challenge that Rockfest has presented us with. It’s an honour for us to work with the biggest festival in the Outaouais region and to contribute our knowhow,” said Colin Laramée-Plouffe, President and founder of Orkestra.
”As the new mayor of Montebello and ardent supporter of Rockfest, I salute the many changes that have been made in organizing the event this year. These initiatives show how serious the organizers are and how committed they are to putting on a world-class event for those taking part. Montebello City Council supports and will continue to support all initiatives that will make the festival more welcoming, innovative and structured in the years to come. We offer our complete cooperation to Alex and his team,” said Luc Ménard, Mayor of Montebello.
The festival recently announced California punk-rock band NOFX’s return to the 2014 edition as a ”small” Christmas gift. The full lineup for the 2014 edition will be unveiled in the next months, which is also when tickets will go on sale.
About Rockfest
Founded in 2005 by a 17 year-old kid from Montebello who wanted to transform his small village into a rock paradise, Amnesia Rockfest is now the biggest rock music festival in Canada. Known for its impressive lineup, affordable tickets, party vibe and pristine location along the Ottawa River, Rockfest generated over $10,000,000 in economic spin-offs last year. pnrockfest.com
About the Festival d’été de Québec
300 shows, 10 venues, 11 days of music and over one million festival fans make the Festival d’été de Québec one of Canada’s biggest music festivals. From July 3 to 13, 2014, emerging artists and international stars playing every style of music will come together at the 47th annual summer festival. A special time in a special place — historic Old Québec — that you won’t want to miss! infofestival.com
Make your travel plans NOW, because Rockfest and Festival d’été de Québec are going to ROCK your summer!!