Friday DJ an event that brings the community together

Jude Osmond

Friday DJ events have been very popular at the Parc du Renard, with a lot of people from the neighbourhood showing up and enjoying themselves, playing basketball, soccer, and enjoying various foods from different partners.

The event is hosted by Gabrielle Rivais, a member of the community who has been hosting Friday DJ since April 2024 on her own time as a volunteer.  Rivais spends about 20 to 30 hours a week of her own time to set these events up.

Friday DJ started after Rivais wanted to change the culture and atmosphere of the Parc du Renard.

” Ever since the park was opened, I would always go with my kids, and there would be drugs, vandalism, violence and bullying between teenagers and younger kids because of how small the park is.”

Rivais mentioned a lot of times she had to call the police for fights and had to intervene.

Municipal councillor of Lucerne District Gilles Chagnon, who helps with the funding of the event, mentioned before these events that the Parc du Renard was very problematic and he was receiving complaints.

In April 2024, Rivais hosted the first-ever Friday DJ event with the help of the community center “Entre Nous, as a way to bring the Aylmer community together, particularly the teenage segment. She incorporated team sports (Soccer, basketball) in her Friday DJ so more and more kids can get along and make new friends.

The basketball and soccer tournaments have Gabriel Pizza gift cards attached to them for whoever wins.

“ It’s just phenomenal, let's say her heart is a good place.” Chagnon. Chagnon stated that ever since she started, he hasn’t received one complaint about the park.

“Ever since I started, I can guarantee that there have been no more drugs, no more bullying, no more vandalism,” Rivais stated.

Rachel Gagne, a project manager for children aged 0-17, for Partenaire du secteur Aylmer, mentioned that one of the main goals was to incorporate this event into other parks around Aylmer.  Les partenaires du secteur Aylmer help with the events by bringing quality equipment for activities, including soccer balls and basketballs, so that kids can enjoy.

The main goal of these events is to keep the kids busy, have fun, and make sure they have something to look forward to.

Chagnon mentioned it’s a privilege for kids to have events like this.

‘’ Kids from other schools who don’t see each other often, events like this give them a chance, which makes it fun,” said Véronique Harrisson, a teacher at école de la Petite Ourse.

The events have improved significantly throughout every event as they grow larger and larger in Aylmer. With new partners to help the event, every week there is always something new. One week, they had Ricochet Fun, who supplied a Nerf war for the kids, and another week, they had a martial arts event set up by EBO.

Rivais does the majority of the Friday DJ work alone, but many partners have contributed and helped this event expand. Partners including Tim Hortons, Filgo Gabriel Pizza, Centre Communautaire entre nous, Gilles Chagnon, Regroupement des cuisines collectives de Gatineau, EBO, Partenaire du secteur Aylmer, Ricochet fun and chocolats favoris.

It’s hard to find partners for events like this; it’s not easy. If anybody wants to help me, please get in touch with me: Gabbylasouris@hotmail.com”

Friday DJ’s are still happening, and they are going on at the Parc du Renard every Friday until October 10th, 2025.