PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
1001 ways to have fun outdoors this winter!
Québec City, January 6, 2011—For its 57th edition, the Québec Winter Carnival, in collaboration with Loto‐Québec, presents a unique winter experience and invites you to join in the real winter game! From January 28 to February 13, discover skill‐testing challenges, sporting competitions, snow games, and zany adventures, along with a great mix of traditional and innovative nighttime, sports and family activities. Rise to the challenge of the real winter game!
Loto‐Québec Feature Event: Parades on Parade!
Bonhomme’s Ice Palace opens its doors and welcomes you with a fascinating original exhibition on the Carnival parades. It’s almost like being there!
Loto‐Québec Dance Parties: Bring on the DJs!
If you love the nightlife, you’ll love the nights at the 2011 Carnival. Every Friday and Saturday, Yves & Vera will have you busting your favourite winter moves on an outdoor dance floor with the help of guest DJs like Marco G, Mike Sickini, Marc D, and DJ Kid from Radio NRJ 98.9!
Place Desjardins is Carnival’s activity central. Take advantage of everything winter has to offer at this genuine family fun park. And when evening rolls around, enjoy the nighttime activities,
the magic of the lights, and musical performances of all kinds!
Official Opening Night Show
The 57th edition of the Carnival officially kicks at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 28 with a great show on the Hydro‐Québec stage at Place Desjardins. Take a trip back in time and groove to hits from the 70s as Sylvain Cossette performs classics like Give a Little Bit by Supertramp and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven! A magnificent fireworks display will also be presented, so don’t miss the festivities!
Electric Nights at the Hydro‐Québec Stage
Friday and Saturday nights are music nights at Place Desjardins, with shows by the likes of Les Trois Accords, Les B.B., The Box, Les Vulgaires Machins, Xavier Caféine, France D’Amour and guests, plus the Girls Wanna Have Fun review featuring Andrée Watters, Gabrielle Destroismaisons and Élizabeth Blouin‐Brathwaite!
Loto‐Québec Ferris Wheel
Experience something truly unique, a winter Ferris wheel ride!
Artistry in Ice
Admire the fairytale world of ice sculptures created by artist Michel Lepire and his team at the ice sculpture tent.
Natrel Giant Slide
This 120 m slide at the entrance to Place Desjardins is a must for Carnival‐goers.
WestJet Zipline
This 500 ft. zipline will whisk you across Place Desjardins in seconds!
TELUS International Snow Sculpture Competition Discover the snowy masterpieces created by artists competing in the Québec and Canadian components, from January 28 to 30, and the international component from February 1 to 6. And don’t miss the Saturday “Sculpt the Night Away” event on January 30 and February 6!
Special Activities
Day Parade Featuring Giant Inflatable Characters
The Day Parade is back! This family‐friendly activity will be held on Sunday, January 30, at 1 p.m. on Boulevard Charest!
Night Parades
The streets of Charlesbourg and Québec City’s Upper Town will come alive on Saturday, February 5 and 12 respectively for the Carnival’s famous night parades. Marching bands, clowns and a bevy of entertainers will accompany Carnival floats and put on a memorable show for spectators.
Carnival‐Wendake International Dogsled Race
Experience this exciting northern sport firsthand on Saturday, January 29 as mushers and their dogs face off on a 6 km course through the streets of Old Québec! The finals get underway the
next day at 9 a.m. at the First Nations Hotel‐Museum in Wendake.
CMQ Ice Canoe Race
Qualifications for the ever‐popular CMQ Ice Canoe Race will be held on rue St‐Joseph on February 4 at 7 p.m. The final will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 6 on the icy St. Lawrence River near Bassin Louise in the Port of Québec.
Gear up for the 57th edition of the Carnaval!
The complete program is now available at www.carnaval.qc.ca or call 418‐621‐5555 or 1‐866‐4‐CARNAVAL (1‐866‐422‐7628).
The real winter game, January 28 to February 13, 2011!