L'Association des francophones de Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, BC

February is a sweet time for Nanaimo residents and tourists as the Maple Sugar Festival du Sucre d'Érable launches into high gear to celebrate the cultures and traditions of diverse parts of Canada. Presented by the Francophone Association of Nanaimo (the AFN), this unique event kicks off on with two days of high-quality school shows for young audiences and teens. As well, students sample mouth-watering maple toffee on snow created right before their very eyes. On the weekend, the Centennial Building at Beban Park buzzes with lots of family activities. French Canadian festivities offered over the weekend include educational exhibits, music, clowns, authentic foods, and a genuine atmosphere of joie de vivre. Enjoy a variety of maple sugar products, treat yourself to a hardy lumberjack breakfast or the traditional home-made tourtière meat pie and poutine. Stroll through various exhibition tents and learn the ancient art of tree tapping; be awed by world-famous ice carvers' artistic sculptures. Or simply sit back and relax to the sounds of folk and contemporary music from some of Canada’s best performers. Renown performers are also featured on Wednesday (Port Theatre) and Saturday nights. This is truly a must see, hear and taste experience!