Downtown Montreal's set to prove its insatiable appetite for festivals and cars with three days of action that includes driver appearances, live shows and race cars on display
MONTREAL, Aug. 14, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The 11th edition of the Ford Racing Festival, presented by Bud Light and sponsored by Ford Fusion, is gearing up for a weekend of musical performances, exhibits and show cars on display, taking place August 16, 17 and 18. The three-day event runs from 11 am to 11 pm on Crescent Street, between de Maisonneuve and Ste-Catherine streets, and concludes every evening with electrifying concerts by Canadian bands on the Ford Fusion stage, arguably the best line up Crescent Street has ever seen. The event, which draws crowds year after years, will kick-off on Thursday and feature Ford Racing driver appearances, Q&A's and an autograph session.
Throughout the weekend, festival goers will be able to participate in the Ford Racing Pit Stop Challenge, where they can compete against friends to see who can change a tire the fastest, or just enjoy the Ford products and show cars on display. A Media Pit Stop Challenge will kick-off the official activities on Thursday at 4:30 pm with representatives from various media outlets going up against each other.
Returning this year will be the Ford Racing Simulator where visitors can get strapped into a full motion D-box simulator and play the Dirt 3 game featuring the Ford Focus rally car. The Ford Racing driver Q&A and autograph sessions will begin at 6:15 pm on Thursday, August 16 with Nationwide Series drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Michael Annett, and Billy Johnson.
"The Ford team is thrilled to be celebrating the 11th year of the Ford Racing Festival on Crescent Street with its dedicated fans," said Rick Gemin, Sponsorships and Events Manager for Ford Canada. "This will be a great weekend with lots of cool features for the whole family and star filled shows nightly on the Ford Fusion Stage."
With six incredible Ford Racing vehicles on display throughout the weekend, and the possibility to get your picture taken with them by the charming Ford hostesses, fans are invited to walk the Ford Zone and load up on adrenaline over the course of the entire weekend.
The presenting sponsor, Bud Light, will be offering visitors refreshing samples of their new drink, Bud Light Lime Mojito. A new feature to the Festival will be the crew from BlackBerry®, who will invite visitors to test-drive the BlackBerry® Bold™ 9900 and BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet. Racing fans can also test their driving skills with the latest version of the "Need for Speed" racing game for the BlackBerry PlayBook.
"What a great way to conclude the summer holidays by coming down to Crescent Street in Montreal," said Steve Siozios, Co-President of the Crescent Street Merchants Association. "Montrealers know how Crescent Street and the Ford Racing Festival can offer a fun-filled weekend and a great place to enjoy the last few days of vacation."
No Crescent Street festival would be complete without top entertainment and concerts every evening and the 2012 line-up is no different. Crescent Street is recognized for being a Canadian showcase by excellence with great Canadian bands and DJs performing on the Ford Fusion stage in front of huge crowds. Thursday activities will kick-off with DJ Karl B at 5 pm. Following the Ford Racing driver presentation at 6:15 pm will be Young Soul, a Canadian show band which has been entertaining crowds since the early 90's. The evening's crowd pleaser performance will definitely be Public Mobile's presentation of Montrealer Karl Wolf, a local institution in the Montreal music scene.
On Friday afternoon, at 5 pm, festival goers will be warmed-up by the performance of DJ Skittel'ZZ before the 6:15 pm autograph session by the Ford Racing drivers who are racing in the Grand-AM Rolex Series which include John Pew and Ozz Negri. Then, hold on to your hats NASCAR race fans! Two Canadian iconic groups will rock the crowd in the evening. At 7 pm Stephan McNicoll & GCR will lead the action, followed at 9 pm with Too Many Cooks, presented by the spirit of Rock, CHOM 97 7.
And to top it off, Saturday evening performances promise to be different. Leading the parade on the Ford Fusion stage will be, at 5 pm, DJ Roberto Lopez, a well know Montreal DJ. Then, two great rock groups: the all female group The Pilots will rock the street and light the fire of excitement at 7 pm. Then the grand finale with renowned rock band, Big Wreck, presented by the spirit of rock, CHOM 97 7, at 9:30 pm. They will rock the crowds with new hits "Albatross" and "Wolves" and old favourites "That Song".
"What better way to conclude a spectacular summer then with an incredible line-up of performances, activities, cars and guest appearances," said Brian Fogt, president of BBF Promotions and Events. "We look forward to providing race fans with a fun filled festival."
SOURCE: Ford Racing Festival
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