Violent Storms Force Abrupt Cancellation of Quebec National Day Celebration
Yesterday evening in Quebec City, what was supposed to be a grand celebration for the Fête nationale turned into an abrupt and disappointing turn of events. Just moments before the highly anticipated show was set to begin on the historic Plains of Abraham, the threat of violent thunderstorms forced organizers to evacuate the site. The mood was festive, the crowd was energetic, and the temperature was already intense from the summer heat. But nature had different plans.
It was around 8:40 p.m. when the first serious warnings came. The crowd was instructed—calmly but urgently—to head toward emergency exits. Despite some initial protest and confusion, people began to leave in large numbers. By 9 p.m., the site was practically empty. Then came the storm. Strong gusts of wind, deafening thunder, flashes of lightning, and sheets of rain swept across the area. Inside the media tent, objects flew, walls shook, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically from celebration to crisis management.
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The spectacle, featuring a lineup of beloved Quebec artists like Garou, Ariane Moffatt, Claude Dubois, Marie-Pierre Arthur, and Sarahmée, had been carefully planned. The group Alaclair Ensemble was set to kick off the evening but never took the stage. Earlier in the day, in anticipation of possible weather disruptions, a pre-recorded 30-minute segment had been filmed. That recording ultimately became the only version of the show to reach audiences—aired at 10:30 p.m. on Télé-Québec and made available online.
The decision to cancel was officially announced shortly after 10:15 p.m. Organizers expressed their regret and offered apologies to the many disappointed attendees. Given how much planning goes into this kind of public celebration, one could sense the emotional weight of that call.
This isn’t the first time weather has disrupted festivities on the Plains. A similar event unfolded last year during the Festival d’été. But still, each cancellation carries its own sting. Hundreds of people left the site quietly, some still waving Quebec flags, others finding solace in nearby bars and restaurants, continuing to sing classic Québecois songs under umbrellas and stormy skies.
What should have been a night of unity, culture, and music turned into a powerful reminder of how quickly nature can rewrite our best-laid plans. But if there’s anything Quebecers have proven over the years, it’s their resilience. The storm may have washed out the stage, but the spirit of the fête nationale lived on, echoing through the streets of Quebec late into the night.
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