One of the new features likely to steal the show at this year’s Carnaval de Québec is the dome that is taking shape in front of the National Assembly, which will offer an enhanced experience for carnival-goers.
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The Quebec company Unisson designed and manufactured the imposing structure and is also involved in the installation. The dome is located in the courtyard of Bonhomme’s palace and the effigy is required to access the grounds.
“This is the big novelty of this year. Five musical evenings will take place inside the dome,” said Marie-Ève Jacob, general director of the carnival.
The construction of the dome will have required more than 6,000 kg of “Quebec” aluminum and 4,000 kg of steel.
This dome with a unique design was created to meet the needs of Carnaval de Québec, which will take place from February 3rd to 12th, 2023.
Fog courtesy photo
“The biggest challenge with this achievement is to withstand the Quebec winter, ie the snow loads. At this level, a technical challenge had to be overcome. We wanted to be able to hang stage equipment,” says Olivier Jobin, Unisson’s vice president of business development.
World famous
The company, which has worked with stars like Celine Dion, Beyonce, Metallica, Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake, exports 80% of its products. Unisson has specialized in the design, engineering, fabrication and installation of aluminum structures in Canada for 45 years. In particular, the company is behind the main stage at the Festival d’été de Québec, which has been crowned the largest free-standing aluminum stage in the world.
For the carnival, it’s a contract worth around a million dollars.
According to Mr. Jobin, this collaboration is a source of pride for the Saint-Roch-de-l’Achigan company. The company also has another plant in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures.
“It’s a dome that’s versatile. We’re using it for the Quebec Carnival, but we also have a project for next summer, The Cool Island, that we’re going to use it for,” Ms. Jacob said.
The dome will include a moderate stage for performers. The ground will not be covered, but an ice wall will protect festival-goers from the wind and cold. The capacity is 2000 people. It would be the largest dome for winter events in Quebec.
programming
“The carnival is aimed at an extremely large clientele. You’ll see in this year’s programming that it’s very family-friendly during the day, but in the evenings we’re very much geared towards young adults, towards the festive people,” said Ms. Jacob.
Expectations for this edition of the carnival, which is 70% self-financed, are set to return to pre-pandemic figures, according to the director-general. As for the novelties, the carnival brings back to its program two parades: Limoilou and Haute-Ville, in addition to a 500-foot slide at Place d’Youville that starts from the fortifications on a rubber dinghy. Guaranteed sensations.
Referring to the Bonhomme Palace, the theme is “Bonhomme’s Laboratory”. Various rooms offer sensory, auditory, light, etc. experiences.
Almost 90% of the palace construction is completed. About 2800 blocks of ice are used to build the structure.