New energy for Old Aylmer: fun times ahead

Lily Ryan

A local organization has taken the reigns of event organization in Old Aylmer. The Corporation Vieux Aylmer was formed during covid to organize the 2021 Oktoberfest on rue Principale. It was organized by local hospitality industry leaders. This year the name is has been changed and incorporated with Board members Aimé  Johnston (5e Baron), Roman Riva (Restaurant Ras l’Bol), Justin Ford (Patinoire Wychwood), Lou Walter (Centre d’exposition Imagier), Sasha Ostiguy-Van der Sluis (Aylmer Apparel), and a representative of Transistor have put together two dynamic free events with several public event support plans. This team of experienced event planners dedicated to the neighbourhood have put their heads together for a new generation of local events.

After a first Annual General Meeting, March 27, 2025 and the first meetings of the Board of Directors, the not-for-profit organization is now up and running. Funding from Gatineau City’s cultural fund for the old city centers is making the operations possible for the first year.

When the business associations in Gatineau, such as APICA, turned their priorities towards supporting local businesses through networking and quality service training, these associations reduced their focus on cultural events. “We are not organizing the Festival Vieux-Aylmer this year,” APICA general manager told the Bulletin. “City funding for cultural events is not available to business associations anymore.”

Aylmer 500!

Late August, Old Aylmer will be steeped in a throw-back weekend of traditional events in the old days of Aylmer. The free events will take place along Principale, with pedestrians prioritized between Park and Jubilee Streets. Soap box races down Principale, a highlight of families who built this community three generations ago. The history of area is at the core of this August 23 and 24 event. Organizers say more information is coming about “Aylmer 500!”, with one certainty: free fun.

Oktoberfest

Planned for the end of September, the traditional festivities around sausages, sauerkraut and ale are lined up for Old Aylmer. The event is to be focused on local gastronomie. The organizing committee at the Corporation Vieux Aylmer have more free family-friendly activities for September 26 and 27.

The team at this not-for-profit organization aims to help Imagier Art Gallery bring back the summer music series in Park Imaginaire, as well as other event-based events. The Basoche event space in the Old Aylmer Cultural Centre is sometimes very busy, but can be under-utilized, notes the Corporation Vieux Aylmer president, Aimé Johnston. “We are delighted to focus on Aylmer events. I’ve talked with shop-keepers in person now, we are really rallying together to welcome families for wholesome fun, right here where we all live.”

Contact: corporationvieuxaylmer@gmail.com