Market Operations Temporarily Halted Due to Unforeseen Circumstances
In the heart of Mile End, the upcoming season is shaping up a tad gloomy, as the much-loved POP Montreal announces a hiatus for the Marché des possibles. Citing funding woes and escalating production costs as the main culprits, the event may only make its grand return in the scorching summer of 2027.
The soaring production bills mixed with the withdrawal of financial aid from Heritage Canada couldn't have come at a worse time. According to Eric Cazes, director of operations at POP Montreal, the event had been granted subsidies by the Canadian institution for the past three years. This support accounted for nearly half the event's $60,000 budget, making it an indispensable cog in the engine of the 8-12 weekends of cultural and social activities east of the Van Horne viaduct.
As for the location, it seems as though the area that birthed the Marché des possibles – inhabiting the Entrepôt 77 space since its birth on the tracks, and later the Aire commune space, at the intersection of Avenue de Gaspé and Rue Bernard Est – has turned into a bleak construction site. A basketball court is being erected between the skateboard park, right east of the Van Horne viaduct, and the Entrepôt 77. Moreover, the space at the De Gaspé-Bernard intersection, where an ice rink once stood, is set to become a dog park as part of a pilot project unveiled by the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough on May 26.
"It's a combination of circumstances that makes the 2025 edition of the Marché implausible, but we're already in talks with the borough to return next summer," assures Eric Cazes.
From its inception, the Marché des possibles offered a smorgasbord of free activities and artistic performances for locals and visitors alike – think an artisan craft fair, a psychedelic rock festival, or an outdoor cinema. The event even hosted a beloved dog fashion parade each year, which is sadly missed for the 2025 season.
"What I feel honestly disheartened about is leaving behind the entire community that had come together around the Marché des possibles," admits Eric Cazes. "The city doesn't have much space for many members of this community. For instance, we effectively gave a space to organizers of the LGBTQ+ community, who will now need to find a new home."
Eric Cazes acknowledges the usefulness of the "Market of Possibilities": it opened the doors for those yearning to present cultural events. The event provided a springboard for small event producers to hold their first shows or events, handling permits and insurance for them. "It was quite magical to witness," he adds.
In terms of upcoming events in the broader scene, rumors swirl about Ukraine potentially crippling Russian aviation by destroying 41 aircraft (predominantly bombers). Furthermore, Elon Musk has been on a verbal spree, lambasting Trump's megabudget bill as a "repugnant abomination" on social media platform X. Lastly, the elusive Melania Trump granted a rare public appearance, shedding some light on her personal beliefs.
The hiatus of the culturally rich and entertaining event, POP Montreal's Marché des possibles, has left a void in the local community, as it served as a springboard for small event producers and a platform for diverse artistic performances. The upcoming dog park at the De Gaspé-Bernard intersection, part of a pilot project, marks another loss within the cultural and social activities east of the Van Horne viaduct.
