Quebec Winter Carnival - Carnaval de Quebec

The Quebec Winter Carnival - A Festival of Heritage and Family Fun

Article by: © Habeeb Salloum 2012

The party was in full swing in our luxury Quebec City hotel when, suddenly, a colourful doll-like creature danced into the room. "Bonhomme! Bonhomme!" my Quebecois friend exclaimed as a smile lit-up his face. White and roly-poly, with a red tuque on his head and a reddish sash around his waist, he appeared like a living snowman as he pranced around, entertaining his audience. "Do you like our carnival's mascot?" My Quebecois friend smiled. His question, was quickly answered, by the merry crowd with their claps as they encouraged the jolly dancing, Bonhomme.

The dancing Bonhomie was my first introduction to the Quebec Winter Carnival, a blow out of fun, food and entertainment in the midst of the city's cold winter days. Held in the first part of February, it a fun way Quebecers outwit the harshness of winter, transforming the city into one massive outdoor party. It is the largest winter celebration in the world and the third largest carnival only surpassed by those held in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. As happened during the past five decades, in 2006, from January 27 to February 12, the Carnival's 52st edition will be celebrated in an accelerated flurry of winter fun, bringing a contagious joie de vivre to the city.

For 51 years this renowned festival, drawing annually one million visitors, held in what has become known as the 'world's snow capital', has been generating jobs and a good deal of economic, social and tourism-related spin offs for the city and the surrounding area. The Carnival has now become Quebec City's third largest industry, generating direct economic returns of $28 million a year and surpassing its organizers' wildest dreams.

More than 1400 volunteers and some 400 activities and shows extend to visitors a festive experience full of competitions, concerts, fun, games and food in an aura of winter magic. Known as the 'Mardi Gras in the Snow', it is a joyous celebration, enjoyed by residents and travellers alike.

Overshadowing all the sculptures is the Bonhomme Ice Palace - first built in 1955. 5,000 blocks of genuine ice were used in its construction and it has become one of the most visible symbols of the Carnival. Including a maze of towers, at night, the imaginary-style palace becomes the home of a light and sound show.

It features loud music and flames, which shoot through the palace's shimmering walls in all directions, yet, do not melt even a piece of ice. It is a show, which combines music and fire-like light - a breath-taking dream world for the young. When they tire of fireworks, visitors can shop inside Bonhomme's Palace of Ice for souvenirs from all over the world.

The most colourful part of the Carnival is the brightly lit night parades. Every year some half a million spectators bundle up and line the snowy streets of the city. The parades feature fantastic floats, marching bands and many clowns. Even though it was freezing cold - about six degrees below zero - the night that I watched the parade, I could not believe my eyes when a band of young ladies marched by dressed in kilts.

During the Carnival, the Plains of Abraham, where the British battled the French and conquered Canada, are transformed into a huge winter playground for families. The entrance to the plains area, edged on both sides by snow sculptures which are fashioned by artists from various countries, leads to a field offering Aerial Trampoline, dogsled and sleigh rides, an ice climbing wall, snow slides, snowmobiling, and a sugar shack.

In addition, there are endless other activities, such as: visitors can visit the Amerindian Trail and take the opportunity to spend a night in a tepee; take a roll in the snow dressed only in a bathing suit; take part in the giant baby-foot soccer game; try breathtaking snow rafting; watch renowned snow sculptress at work; enjoy a Swiss culinary festival or savour the smell of hot chestnuts and chocolate crepes or enjoy a Calgary flapjack breakfast; taste, Caribou, a feisty alcoholic beverage popularized ever since the first carnival; take part in a soapbox derby which encourages participation from onlookers; stay in the city's famous Ice Hotel for at least one night; learn ice fishing and the smokehouse basics; listen to vocal ensemble sing a cappella, then dance in the snow; and, last but not least, watch the legendary International Canoe Race.

Each year when the Carnival is over, some of its officials, along with Bonhomme, embark on extensive tours throughout the world. This is bearing fruit. Every year visitors from around the globe increase dramatically.

In early January, when winter drapes its fluffy white mantle on Quebec, Bonhomme makes a dramatic return to the city. The mayor hands him the key and Bonhomme again reigns until the February Carnival is over. There is little doubt that he provides the color, warmth and excitement to make a visit to the Carnival an unforgettable experience - a great winter sensation.

Quebec Winter Carnival - Carnaval de Quebec Dates, Location and Further Information

For more information about the Quebec's annual Carnival held in February each year, Quebec Carnival, 290, rue Joly, Quebec (Quebec), G1L 1N8. Toll free number (Accommodations and information): 1-866-422-7628 or tel: (418) 626-3716. Fax: (418) 626-7252. E-mail: bonhomme@carnaval.qc.ca Web site: http://www.carnaval.qc.ca/

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