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The Quebec Carnival
The history of the Quebec Carnival
The tradition of celebrating in the dead of winter dates back to the colony of New France. Family and friends were already meeting during the first 2 months of the year to break the boredom and try to forget the deep cold of the season. In the pure tradition of Franco-Canadians, the settlers prepared a feast, musical performances and traditional dances. For several days, we celebrated, ate and had fun to give ourselves courage during the harsh winters. This annual celebration at the deepest and darkest of the season would later lead to the first major snow festivals at the end of the . Indeed, in 1893, businessmen led by former Quebec Premier Joly de Lotbinière launched a huge carnival to brighten the dark winter days and attract tourists to the city.
This tradition had to stop during the two World Wars and then during the Great Depression. In 1954, the festival then returned on a regular basis. That year, a group of businessmen decided to revive this tradition and modernize it. The objective was always to attract visitors, while contributing to the economic development of the region.
The Quebec Carnival today
A Quebec carnival has been held annually since 1954. It has grown into a multi-day event that attracts tourists from across the country and around the world, despite particularly cold temperatures. Access to the Carnival sites is chargeable: you must obtain the Carnival effigy, a kind of pass costing about 15 Canadian dollars, to have access to the various activities.
The Carnival (snowman) appears at the opening of the event. It is the official Carnival mascot and ambassador. It was introduced to the public during the first "modern" version of the carnival. He is a giant snowman dressed in a red cap, black buttons and an arrowhead sash. It is 2 meters high and weighs 1.5 tons. Quebecers love its joie de vivre, which is also their emblem. He is so famous that he is given the keys to the city of Quebec at each opening of the Carnival, and has been since 1955. He is most visible during the parade on Saturday evening, on the last float. You can also see him during the day in the ice palace, his official residence and another unmissable Carnival.
Quebec Carnival attractions
During the opening of the Carnival, the snow and ice sculptures offer a most astonishing spectacle. It's more than a hundred sculptures following a predefined route to discover through the city.
Bonhomme Carnaval's place of residence is a palace entirely made of more than 2000 blocks of ice. It is located just in front of the Quebec Parliament building. The design of the castle changes every year, but it still contains a reception, a small museum with memorabilia from previous carnivals, a spa area, a playroom for children, etc. This attraction can be visited at any time, but is especially striking when hit by night lights.
The Carnival offers other original activities: rides through the city in a horse-drawn sleigh or dog sled races in Old Quebec, not far from the Château Frontenac. The bravest can also go ice skating on Place d'Youville in the heart of Old Quebec with family and friends.
Night or day parades are another spectacle in their own right with marching bands, singers and jugglers. It's about thirty minutes of music and fun that sows good humor in its path.
One of the main Carnival attractions takes place on the historic Plains of Abraham, not far from the streets of Old Quebec. They are transformed into a real winter amusement park and offer many activities, especially for children. They can have fun on the Ferris wheel, the inflatable houses or even the ice castle and its slide.
One of the most striking sporting events of the carnival is the canoe race on the frozen part of the Saint-Laurent river, at Bassin Louise in the port of Quebec. It takes place every year since 1955, usually on the second Saturday of Carnival.
First Nations and settlers traditionally built wooden canoes to bring people and goods across the river. During the winter, the river freezes at the end of town and sometimes creates a natural bridge. For the rest, most areas around the river were unreachable without a canoe. This race is a way of honoring the efforts and traditions of the elders.
The Quebec Carnival and its delicacies
Carnival is also an opportunity to taste Quebec specialties, such as beaver tails. This kind of flat donut has - as its name suggests - the characteristic shape of a beaver's tail.
Maple taffy is a candy that can be found everywhere during this event. Made from heated and condensed maple syrup, this caramel is then poured into a strip on the snow and wrapped around a stick.
A good plate of poutine is a must during the Carnival! It's always a delight with its piping hot fries, meat sauce and bits of squeak-squeak cheese
As it happens in winter, the Carnival of Quebec offers many alcoholic drinks to warm up. Caribou, for example, is a hot drink made from maple syrup, brandy and wine. It's the official Carnival drink! During this event, you can also taste a kind of grog made from rum, gin and syrup. Called the Ponce, it's actually a rather light alcoholic cocktail. The Bonhomme Cosmo is an ice-cold shot of vodka accompanied by a red syrup. Consume carefully, responsibly and in moderation!
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