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“Organizing an urban sugar shack is like producing a film. You have to be original while at the same time expressing a message.” The speaker of these words knows what he is talking about. Mario Bonenfant is not only a film maker; he also pulls the strings in a completely different theatre to, once again, amaze. One could call his latest creation “Urban sugar shack 4: sugar passport.”

Two weeks prior to the big event, the roles are distributed, the finances worked out, and the screenplay finalized…well, almost.

There are many new elements that will embellish this new work, which may leave some room for improvisation.

The curtain will rise on the opening night – Friday, March 14 – when storyteller and violinist Jocelyn Bérubé will take to the stage. The audience will not just be spectators, but will be invited to participate in the “sets carré,” and in all sorts of other activities in Gohier Park and along Décarie Boulevard. “I want to hold a sugaring off event ‘for’ and ‘by’ the people,” underlined Bonenfant.

Every kingdom has its palace; and it will be flavour that is honoured: maple cotton candy, sugar on snow, samples, and – new to this edition – a sugar passport. Visitors holding this document can discover 14 different points of sale along Décarie Boulevard, each with their own specialty – and this all throughout the month of March. Merchants on Décarie have rallied in large numbers as well, as the number of partners continues to rise.

All this will take place along with other more traditional sugar shack techniques.

“There will be parts for the general public and parts for the schools,” said Bonenfant.

The event opening will take place on Friday, March 14 at 12 p.m. Remember, moderation is key – if not, Décarie Boulevard could become the boulevard of cavities!

(Translated by Elyse Amend)

(Photo: Courtesy)

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