An eco-friendly festival

Since 2017, the festival La Virée Trad has been committed to an eco-responsible approach aimed at reducing the environmental impact of its activities, as well as promoting sustainable and ethical social and economic values. Despite the closure of the eco-responsible event certification program by the BNQ at the end of 2024, we continue to pursue our sustainable management goals.

  Environment

• Reducing our environmental footprint •
Since 2023, we have been offsetting the greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted by our activities and the road travel of our exhibitors and festivalgoers. This year again, we will carry out tree planting through the SARGIM society (certified by COTNOIR).

• Waste management and recovery •
This year once again, a “green brigade” will be present throughout the festival to raise awareness among festivalgoers and exhibitors about waste recovery (sorting, recycling, and composting). Our goal is to achieve a 50% recovery rate of our waste.

• Elimination of single-use containers •
We have completely eliminated disposable containers (e.g., plastic water bottles and cups) in the festival bars and food concessions. These have been replaced by reusable cups (Écocups). We ask our exhibitors to apply the same approach at their stands.

• Promotion of sustainable mobility •
We strongly encourage our festivalgoers and exhibitors to optimize their travels by favoring carpooling, public transport, and non-polluting modes of transportation (biking, walking, etc.).

  Economy

• Highlighting local products and produce •
Buying local has been part of the La Virée Trad’s DNA since 2001. Every year, we gather about 55 Gaspesian producers and artisans at our public market. This market showcases our living heritage, essential to the consolidation of an identity and a strong sense of belonging, bearers of sustainable development.

• Commitment to buying local •
A large majority of our suppliers are Gaspesian and over 70% of them are located within 100 km of Carleton-sur-Mer. The catering offers on the festival site are provided by businesses from the Baie des Chaleurs region that themselves prioritize Gaspesian and organic products.

• The festival operates in inter-organizational cooperation. •
We collaborate with several local organizations for certain aspects of the programming (Gaspésie Gourmande, Centre d’artistes et Vague, Écomusée Tracadièche, Microbrasserie Le Naufrageur, Centre des congrès de la Gaspésie) and to achieve our sustainable development goals.

• The economic benefits•
of the festival are estimated at more than $700,000 in the area with an off-season event which helps extend the tourist season.

  Social

• Ethical commitment •
Maximum 90 (the festival promoter) respects a Code of Conduct, Ethics, and Professionalism established by the board of directors and adopted by the various teams and organizing committee members.

• Promotion of our living heritage •
With programming focused on cultural practices rooted in our traditions (traditional music, dance, and song), we encourage the circulation of our living heritage.

• Improving accessibility •
Maximum 90 participates in the CAL initiative (Leisure Companion Card) which allows a companion of a person living with a disability to obtain a free event ticket.

• Prevention of sexual exploitation •
The festival takes part in the Lueur program, which aims to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking for sexual exploitation