Experience a weekend of workshops, herb walks, music, ceremony, storytelling and medicine making.
JOIN US!
Come for the whole weekend (Saturday August 9 to Sunday August 10), or choose to join us for one day of workshops.
Connect with local herbalists, healers, local artisan vendors and fellow plant lovers for our third annual festival. This year’s theme is The Art of Herbal Medicine. Workshops and herb walks will be offered in both English and French.
LOCATION: Gratefully held on the unceded territory of the Anishnaabe Algonquin Nation in Gatineau, QC - north of Ottawa, at Old Findlay Farm (890 Cook Road). Limited camping spots available on site (reserve your spot quickly!) and local airbnbs/hotels available nearby. More info here.
The story behind the name
out · a · ouais
pronounced ou - ta - wey
The word Outaouais is both symbolic of the People: Indigenous, French & English, that are coming together in celebration - and of the Land: the plants that we are gathering to learn from.
The landscape of the Outaouais region is characterized by its extensive rivers and vast, rich forests. One of the region’s key rivers is the Ottawa River, or la rivière des Outaouais, that flows along the border between Ontario and Quebec. This brings us to the Anishinaabe meaning of the word -'to buy / to sell' - reminiscent of the era when this region was an important place for the gathering of people to barter and trade.
Friday
August 8
There are no scheduled activities Friday evening, but if you'd like to camp on Friday night, you are welcome to arrive from 6:30pm onwards!
Sunday
August 10
Attend two of our three-hour workshop Intensives, offered 9 am to 12 pm (break for lunch), and 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
TICKETS & PRICING
Create a festival experience best suited to your schedule & needs.
SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
(1 DAY PASS)
$190 for a day brimming with herbal teachings! Saturday has four work shop slots, with 3 topics to choose from. Stay for an evening of festivities & a catered vegetarian dinner.
THE FULL WEEKEND
(2 DAY PASS)
$265 for our opening ceremony, Saturday's full day of workshops, evening festivities & a catered dinner, and Sunday's intensive workshops.
SUNDAY INTENSIVES
(1 DAY PASS)
$100 for your spot in workshop intensives offered on Sunday only.
ADD-ONS:
Saturday Dinner - special note:
$0 This year, our joint Saturday Dinner is already included in your ticket: a catered vegetarian Thai meal and dessert.
Camping:
$25 Limited camping spots available for Friday & Saturday night. More details.
Children's Program:
$50 Join us on Saturday August 9 for a day of kids having FUN in nature! The Nature Nuts herb camp adventures will include plant art, a nature walk & herb hunt, and special hand-made creations. Please note this program is offered in English only and is for ages 5-12 years.
A special invitation for artists
Ways to share your art: We will be offering display/gallery space in a sheltered area used by the Farm to host weddings. It is an accessible area where participants will gather for workshops and meals. This space is protected from the elements but is still very airy and light. Note: We are still in the planning stages and are open to your suggestions.
Display space cost: There will be no charge to display your art in the gallery – it is our honour to share your work with other plant lovers. You are also welcome to set up a display in or near the gallery space to sell cards, prints, etc.
Vending space: During the Gathering, we will also be hosting vendors who will be selling herbal products, crafts and other artwork. We are happy to offer you space in the vending area at the same rate as the other vendors.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to display your work and/or come to The Outaouais Herb Gathering!
Please contact Diane Perazzo: dianeperazzo@outlook.com | 613 324-5179
Illustrations by Lauren Foster-MacLeod
Vendor registration
Do you have a talent for making lovely plant-based medicine, art or anything else of beauty that reflects the generosity of plants? Vending at the Outaouais Herb Gathering might be for you! For more information, click here!
Work exchange program
Through your participation in the Work-Exchange Program, (positions divided into various time blocks across the weekend), gives you access to attend some of the wonderfully rich and varied workshops.
