More than 100 exhibitors, over 150 boats and spectacular programming made Salaberry-de-Valleyfield the heart of boating and outdoor recreation for five days.
LONGUEUIL, QC, Oct. 5, 2026 /CNW/ -- A successful debut for the first edition of the Canada Nautical and Outdoor Festival (FNPAC). From September 24 to 27, more than 5,600 visitors gathered at Parc Delpha-Sauvé in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield to discover this major new event presented by Nautisme Québec.
With more than 100 exhibitors and over 150 boats displayed both on the water and on land, the Festival established itself in its very first edition as a major boating event in Canada and as the country's largest in-water boat event.
This first edition also marked a new chapter in the evolution of the Montreal In-Water Boat Show, organized by Nautisme Québec for the past 16 years. The Montreal event gave way to a much more ambitious format in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, bringing the DNA of the In-Water Boat Show into a true festival dedicated to boating and outdoor recreation.
This evolution was all the more meaningful as it coincided with Nautisme Québec's 30th anniversary. Three decades after its creation, the organization is taking another step forward in its mission to promote boating, support the industry and reach new audiences, while underscoring the need to protect our waterways and champion sustainable, responsible boating for future generations.
For five days, manufacturers, dealers, federations, boating-industry stakeholders and outdoor-sector businesses welcomed a public eager to discover the latest products, step aboard boats and experience a format decidedly different from a traditional boat show.
"We wanted to create much more than a boat show: a true Festival capable of bringing together the industry, enthusiasts, families and new audiences around boating and outdoor recreation. After 16 editions of the Montreal In-Water Boat Show, it was time to evolve the format and take it to another level. Seeing more than 5,600 people turn out for this first edition confirms the project's potential and gives us an extremely solid foundation for what comes next."
- Marc-André Loyer, Chair of the Board of Directors, Nautisme Québec
A Festival experienced from day to night
Beyond its boating exhibition, FNPAC featured programming designed to bring the site to life and multiply the experiences available throughout the event.
Friday night's Night Event transformed the Festival into a major waterfront celebration, as visitors, exhibitors and partners enjoyed concerts, entertainment and a DJ set aboard a yacht until midnight. An exceptional evening made possible with the participation of our partner Wajax.
On Saturday evening, the drone show presented above Baie Saint-François was one of the Festival's highlights, bringing the public together for a spectacle created especially for this inaugural edition.
Test drives and demonstrations, sailing and watersports, van life and overlanding, family activities and numerous other attractions rounded out programming designed to make the Festival a complete experience.
"For a first edition, we aimed high, and the industry answered the call. More than 100 exhibitors placed their trust in this new format and helped create an event we can all be proud of. Celebrating Nautisme Québec's 30th anniversary alongside the people who are moving our industry forward made this week even more meaningful. The Festival opens a new chapter in our history, and we are very excited about what comes next."
- Pierre Dumas, Executive Director, Nautisme Québec
A first edition powered by an entire industry
This first edition was made possible by the mobilization of exhibitors, manufacturers, dealers, partners and volunteers who chose to be part of this new event from the very beginning. Nautisme Québec also wishes to recognize the work and commitment of its entire team, which spent several months bringing the Festival to life.
The organization thanks Aviva, the Festival's official partner, for its support and confidence in this first edition, as well as the City of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Marina de Valleyfield and Destination Valleyfield for their invaluable collaboration in delivering the event.
With this first edition, Nautisme Québec set out to evolve its in-water event and offer the public a new way to discover boating.
With more than 5,600 visitors, over 100 exhibitors and more than 150 boats in its very first year, the Festival has firmly established itself.
Having celebrated its 30th anniversary by launching this new chapter, Nautisme Québec is already looking ahead to the next edition, with the ambition of growing the Canada Nautical and Outdoor Festival into a must-attend event on the Canadian boating calendar.
About Nautisme Québec
For 30 years, Nautisme Québec has brought together, promoted and represented the boating and recreational boating industry in Quebec and Canada. Fully dedicated to the sector, the organization supports its members in economic development, sustainable boating, safety, tourism and access to the water. As the organizer of flagship events such as the Montreal Boat Show, the In-Water Boat Show, the Fête du nautisme and the Congrès du nautisme, Nautisme Québec also serves on numerous regional, provincial and national committees in collaboration with institutional and government partners. Yacht clubs, marinas, clubs, dealers, manufacturers, associations and recreational boaters: Nautisme Québec acts as an essential link between the industry, institutions and the community to advance sustainable and responsible boating.
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SOURCE Nautisme Québec
Media contact: Andrea Cutugno, Director, Communications, Marketing and Events, Nautisme Québec, (438) 466-4819, [email protected], nautismequebec.com
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