Cancellation, equipment problem, extreme cold… The first weekend of the Quebec Carnaval was not easy for the organizers who, given the circumstances, are satisfied with the enthusiasm of the carnival-goers.
• Also read: Quebec Carnival: Fans brave the cold for the Bonhomme parade
“It was very complex, both in terms of equipment and our workers. We must have been in solution mode all weekend,” explains Marie-Ève Jacob, general manager of the event.
At times over the weekend, the temperature felt colder than in Antarctica, exceeding -45°C. Under these conditions, the opening of the carnival – like the Électro Frette – had to be postponed.
The Franco evening even had to be cancelled. Despite the heated stage, the instruments went out of tune within 10 minutes and the electronics didn’t work properly.
“Cold cancellations have never happened in the last 20 years! We are proud of what we have achieved,” says Ms. Jacob.
“Enjoy yourself”
Despite the polar temperatures, Saturday night’s Bonhomme parade drew hundreds of spectators to downtown Quebec City after a two-year absence.
“We wanted to see Bonhomme, it fascinates the youngest. We’ve been dressing in four layers like onion skins and it’s going well,” said a father hit by Le Journal.
Traffic was much heavier on Sunday as milder weather and snowflakes fell on the Old Capital, urging carnival-goers who remained shrouded the day before to leave their homes.
The canoe race was also one of the day’s most popular activities as hundreds of people gathered nearly 400m along the quays of the Port of Quebec.
“It had been 20 years since I came to the carnival, I wanted to introduce my children to it. Everyone is having a great time,” says Élise Thibeault, mother of two young children.
A blessing for restaurateurs
As for the restaurateurs of the Grande Allée, we could only note the reduced traffic at the weekend compared to previous editions.
“What we see are mostly tourists who came for the pee wee tournament. There are far fewer locals,” notes Stéphane Lapointe, director of the Rotisserie St-Hubert de l’Artery.
Nevertheless, the event remains a godsend for traders in the industry who, like the entire industry, are going through a weak phase after the holidays.
“We can’t complain, it wasn’t a bad weekend. We definitely need this type of activity to attract customers at this time of year,” assures Philippe Rouillard-Rivard, manager of the Ophelia restaurant.
– With Louis Deschenes
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