Nestled in the heart of rural Quebec, Hudson is a model of conscious sustainable living, combining a natural, organic, and slow-paced way of life with rich art, culture, entertainment and progressive community engagement.
Hudson is a picturesque town situated 60 kilometers west of Montreal and 150 east of Ottawa. Once voted as one of the top places to live in Canada, there are walking trails, golf, sailing, cross country skiing and horseback riding close by. The community is also blessed with some fantastic restaurants and shops.
The town is best known as the site of North America’s first-ever ban on the application of lawn and garden pesticides on May 5, 1991. The movement started with one woman, Dr. June Irwin, who noticed a connection between some of her patients’ skin problems and pesticides. She convinced Hudson’s town councillors that pesticides should be banned.
I believe that Hudson, Quebec, is probably the best single example of what community action can accomplish, said Tukey. Activism starts with one voice and, if successful, inspires a full-blown revolution.
Awakening Festival keynote speaker, Paul Tukey, the founder of the SafeLawns Foundation and executive producer of the three-time Emmy Award Nominated film about the town A Chemical Reaction, said “Hudson has inspired his personal motivation to speak out against pesticides for the past 15 years”.
Places to Stay Near By
Augerge des Gallant (15 minute drive to Festival)
Willow Place Inn (3 minute drive to Festival)
Riversmead B&B (3 minute drive to Festival)
Chateau Vaudreuil (10 minute drive to Festival)
Howard Johnson Inn, Rigaud, QC (10 minute drive to Festival)
