A Canada 150 exhibit is returning to Jacques Cartier Park this summer.
Mosaïcultures internationales de Montréal has announced the return of the horticultural art that filled the park last year, with Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018.
More than 1.3 million people took in the event last year.
A statement from Mosaïcultures says they’ve been given $2 million in funding from the Quebec government to bring the event back to the National Capital region.
The federal government is pitching in $1 million, while the City of Gatineau is also expected to contribute $2 million.
“The significant amount will be allocated to welcome a second edition this summer of the MosaiCanada150 which took place in Gatineau in 2017 during the Canada 150 celebrations,” Hull MLA Maryse Gaudreault said.
Lise Cormier, President and Founder of Mosaïcultures internationales de Montréal, said, "Our wish is to amaze and astonish visitors once again, with an exhibit that will surpass the one we presented in 2017. We will showcase more masterpieces, such as The Tree of Birds, a flagship creation admired and referenced as one of the pinnacle pieces of the art of mosaïculture worldwide. With the 2018 Exhibit, we will rise to a superior level in terms of horticultural complexity."
Highlights of the new event include 45 living sculptures, up from 33 in 2017; 10 of the sculptures will be new. The theme this year is “A magnificent journey.”
Mosaïculture Gatineau 2018 runs from June 24 to October 15.
The event will not be free. A ticket to explore the grounds will cost $20.
“We made survey and people told us that if there were more exhibits and it was spectacular, they will come back,” Cormier told reporters. “Here it will be $20 and a special deal for the citizens of Gatineau for $15, so that they can be there all the summer. I think it will not be a problem."
With files from CTV's Joanne Schnurr.