🦫 This Week in the Townships: Orford, Jazz & Terrasse Season

It’s peak summer in the Townships — the trails are buzzing, terrasses are full, and there's no shortage of things to do. Local festivals are lighting up every weekend, roadside farm stands are overflowing, and the hardest part of your week might just be choosing what not to do.

Let’s dive into it. 🤿👇

If you’re only thinking of Mont-Orford as a ski hill — you’re sleeping on one of the most versatile spots in the Townships. Whether you’re up for a hike, trail run, bike ride, or just craving a killer view, Mont-Orford is doing summer right. It’s nature, music, and mountain air all wrapped up in one place, with just enough elevation to feel like a getaway. Curious? Find out more about Mont-Orford in the summer here.

There’s something for every level, from casual forest walks to full send summit climbs. La Crête gives you panoramic views with a steady incline and is our go-to pick for a 2-3 hour out-and-back. Every trail is well-marked, dog-friendly, and offers amazing viewpoints for the accidental selfie.

The Véloroute du Parc is a scenic multi-use path connecting over 100km of bike trails in Eastman, Orford, and Magog. Whether you’re rolling solo or with your friends and family, it’s a smooth and shaded ride that offers the best of the Townships.

Every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., the Mont-Orford base lodge turns into a full blown food festival. Local food trucks rotate weekly, serving everything from international cuisine to poutine, in a casual mountain-side setting. The best part? There’s a beer tent stocked with local brews on-site, the après-hike terrace hang just hits different!

🎷 North Hatley Jazz Festival (Aug. 7-10): an intimate, open-air jazz experience in one of the prettiest lakeside villages in Quebec. Grab a drink and settle in for nights of smooth sets by local and international artists. Bonus: It’s FREE! Details

🎶 FestiMusik Stanstead (Aug. 7-10): Live music, food kiosks, and a lively community vibe just steps from the U.S. border. Lineups include everything from rock to folk to pop. Free shows and small-town charm? Yes please. Details

🎭 Famille All-Dress (Granby, Aug. 8-9): A raw theatre piece exploring family dynamics, identity, and chaos. This isn’t your average drama: it’s bold, absurd, and a little messy. Brought to you by creators pushing the limits of what a family dinner can reveal, don’t miss out on Famille All-Dress at l’Ancien Presbytère de Granby this weekend. Details

☕ LAST CHANCE! The English Tea Route (Aug. 8): Slip your way through this one-day experience that mixes heritage with sweet scones and stunning views. If you haven’t booked your tea trail yet, this weekend is your last chance to give it a try. Details

🌊 Fête de l’Eau (Magog, Aug. 9): A day filled with fun activities for the whole family. Water bouncy castles, paddle boarding demos, music, and local food on the Magog waterfront. This might be your best excuse to sit back, relax, and enjoy refreshments by the lake! Details

🌠 Perseid Evenings (Mont-Mégantic, Aug. 11-14): The Perseids are peaking, and there’s no better place to watch them than in the Eastern Townships thanks to the ASTROLab observatory. Grab a friend and have yourself a cosmic night out, while it lasts! Details

👷 Sherbrooke’s Downtown is Getting a Makeover: The city has launched its downtown revitalization plan, new public spaces, better infrastructure, and more pedestrian-friendly zones are on the way. The goal? To make Sherbrooke more accessible and welcoming, not just for visitors, but for the people who live and move through it every day. Work starts this fall.

🥇 Townships Athletes Bring Home 29 Medals from Jeux du Québec: Athletes from across the region made their mark at the 58th Jeux Du Québec in Laval, racking up 29 medals across a variety of disciplines. Charles-Élie Belzile emerged as a standout cycling prospect, bringing home five medals for the Townships across biking and cycling events.

🍽️ Bouffe ton Centro Proves Unstoppable: Downtown Sherbrooke’s biggest food fest saw its biggest year yet. Wellington Street turned into a foodie zone with record-breaking foot traffic, sold out vendors, and some of the region’s best chefs showing off. Mark your calendars for next year!

🌎 Festival des Traditions du Monde Starts Aug. 13: One of Sherbrooke’s biggest and most beloved festival returns next week. Expect five days of global food, dance, music, and cultural exploration, all in Parc Quintal. Read more about the lineup in next week’s issue. Find out more

🤝 Partage Saint-François Launches TAPAJ program: Sherbrooke-based non-profit Partage Saint-François is rolling out TAPAJ, a program that offers paid, flexible, short-term work to young adults facing homelessness or instability. It’s a practical, human-centered solution that offers structure and a first step toward reintegration for youth facing instability.

🪐 Did You Hear About This?: A meteorite streaked across the sky over Montreal before landing somewhere in the Eastern Townships last week — and yes, it’s legit. Experts say it likely broke apart mid-air, and now there’s a scientific hunt to locate fragments in our own backyard. The rock is believed to be a rare type of meteorite, and researchers are asking residents to report anything unusual they find in fields or on trails.

🏕️ Huttopia Sutton - $86/night Rustic Escape: Tucked in the woods just outside Sutton, Huttopia’s hidden cabins hit the sweet spot between nature and comfort. Private fire pits, walking trails, all for less than a hotel room! 

👉 Book you getaway

⛳ LMDGolf Simulators - 4 hours for 4 at ($91,98): Rainy day? Heat wave? Birthday party? This one covers it all. Get 4 hours of golf for 4 people at Sherbrooke’s top indoor sim facility. Choose from dozens of real-courses and never lose a ball again. 

👉 Swing into it

🍷 Vignoble Gagliano - Wood-fired Pizza & Wine Tasting for 2 ($59): Treat yourself to 2 artisanal wood-fired pizzas and 2 glasses of wine to enjoy outdoors, plus a full wine tasting for two, all for just $59 (tx incl.). 

👉 Buy now

Summer’s in full swing, patios are packed, and one question’s on everyone’s lips: 

Where’s the best terrasse in the Townships?

📩 Reply to this email with your go-to spot, we’ll share the crowd favorites next week!

That’s your weekly scoop, straight from the beaver lodge. Whether you’re hitting the jazz fest, planning a hike at Orford, or just vibing on a terrasse with a cold drink — the Townships are buzzing right now.

Got a local tip? A can’t-miss event? A cousin’s band playing in a barn? Hit reply and tell us about it — we might feature it next week.

Stay curious. Stay local. We’ll be back next week with more to fill your calendar and feed your soul.

- The Eastern Townships Now team 🦫