Montréal's 375th anniversary is off to a flying start! - Let's celebrate our "Nordicity" and play outdoors at Les Hivernales

MONTRÉAL, Nov. 7, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The schedule of Les Hivernales, the first major participative event of Montréal's 375^th anniversary celebrations, was announced today. As the event scheduled leading the official celebrations, Les Hivernales invites everyone who loves our city to come and get active, join the fun outdoors, and party on. From January to mid-March, there are a dozen original, varied, and vibrant activities on tap in Parc Jean-Drapeau, the Quartier des spectacles, and Old Montréal.

Here's what they're saying already!
"It all starts in 2017 by going outdoors to play!" says Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner for the Celebration of Montréal's 375^th Anniversary. "With elite sports, amazing shows, zany fun events, and great opportunities for the public to participate, there's going to be something for everyone."

"Montréal is a city that's alive and hopping all four seasons of the year. The program for Les Hivernales is a loud and clear invitation to people all over Montréal, and visitors to our great city, to come join us, get warm out in the cold, and discover all sorts of fabulous new activities," said Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre.model of a snow-packed Jacques-Cartier Bridge.crossing over an cle raceas

"As an illustration of the creativity that's a hallmark of our city, the activities for Les Hivernales mirror the talent, imagination, and daring of our artists, entrepreneurs, and sponsors. The Québec government is proud to be a part of these celebrations that will make 2017 a year to remember for Montréal and for all Québec," said Municipal Affairs, Land Occupancy, and Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux, who is also Minister Responsible for the Montréal region.

"These celebrations for Montréal's 375^th anniversary reflect the lively character of Montréalers, people who get out and do things and enjoy the four seasons for all they're worth, as families, or with friends, downtown and in our city streets and neighbourhoods. For Québecers and tourists alike, this will be one more great reason to visit Montréal in 2017, to come along and celebrate, enjoy themselves, and discover our beautiful city," said David Birnbaum, MNA (D'Arcy-McGee).

Barbegazi // January 6–8^th and 13–15^th, 2017
Pit your skills against Barbegazi, the wild and crazy obstacle course on the Îlot Clark in the heart of downtown Montreal.
BARBEGAZI – frozen beard – is a nod to Quebecers' love of outdoor winter fun! It's all happening at Hivernales. Get pumped for some high-energy thrills on an obstacle course that winds through an urban forest and across a snow-topped replica of the Jacques Cartier Bridge. It won't cost you a cent, but could earn you big bucks! Ten participants who complete the course in the fastest time will share a prize of $5000! www.375mtl.com/en/barbegazi/

Igloofest: "Nordik" Village, Slide, and Games // Weekends from January 12^th to February 19^th, 2017
For Hivernales, IGLOOFEST has added more days, more fun, and more family activities.
For 10 years, IGLOOFEST has brought together thousands of snow-suited electronic music fans to dance under the open sky in Montreal's Old Port. For the 375^th Hivernales celebrations, IGLOOFEST will be in town for six weeks. That gives you two extra weekends of wild, woolly competition and Off-Igloofest evenings.

With IGLOOFEST, you've going to love winter in Montreal! www.375mtl.com/en/igloofest

Fête des neiges de Montréal // Weekends from January 14^th to February 5^th
Come out to play and discover great new family activities at Parc Jean-Drapeau during the Montreal 375^th anniversary celebrations.
It's a fab line-up for the young and young-at-heart at the 2017 Montreal Fête des Neiges! We've got sleds and we've got tubes so you can enjoy some super slippery fun on snow or ice!

And that's not all! For Montreal's 375^th anniversary, Parc Jean-Drapeau reinvented the Montreal Fête des Neiges with more than 20 activities designed to please every taste. We've got slides of all shapes and sizes, a new ice-sculpted Pirate ship, lively animation, good old-fashioned snow tubing, the Tyrolienne, the Ferris Wheel, dog sled rides, skating, and live shows for the whole family. www.375mtl.com/en/fete-des-neiges/

Descente Saint-Denis – Soap race //January 20-21^st, 2017
A fun-filled soapbox race for the sheer pleasure of bombing down Saint-Denis Street in the heart of winter.

For one amazing weekend during Montréal's 375^th Hivernales, some 60 homemade soap-box cars will barrel down Rue Saint-Denis along a 280-metre obstacle course. What do you need to enter? Skill, teamwork, and a great sense of humour! The fun, friendly competition is open to anyone eager to participate in a fantastic event, and provide thrills to an enthusiastic crowd. So get ready to race or cheer on the racers. www.375mtl.com/en/descente-saint-denis/

Inscriptions : http://www.descentestdenis.com

Classique Montréalaise – Pond hockey Tournament // January 28–29^th, 2017 (Rain date: February 4–5^th)
Montréal's biggest outdoor hockey tournament bring us together in our love of the sport!
During the 375^th Hivernales, more than 500 players will don their borough's jersey and hit the ice on a dozen rinks on the Olympic Basin. Calling on all hockey players, fans, and fun-lovers. You're invited to the Hivernales du 375^th Classique Montréalaise, a magnificent celebration of our national sport at Parc Jean-Drapeau! There's something for everyone at this fabulous line-up of hockey, performances, and animated family fun.www.375mtl.com/en/classique-montrealaise/ 
Inscriptions : www.classiquemontrealaise.ca

Grande traversée du Saint-Laurent // Saturday, January 28^th, 2017
An invitation to cross-country ski and snowshoe in Montréal during the last stop of the Grande Traversée du Saint-Laurent.
After an 8-day sports vacation that covers the Gaspésie, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Québec City, the Grande traversée du Saint-Laurent will stop at Montréal to join in the festive ambiance of 375^th Les Hivernales. During the last stop on this sports, cultural and gourmet odyssey, on January 28^th, you are invited to come ski and snowshoe on the trails designed specifically for the occasion and enjoy Montréal from another viewpoint: a pristine snowy landscape. www.375mtl.com/en/grande-traversée 
Inscriptions : (for the cruise) : http://tdlg.qc.ca/inscription/

Snow Moon by bike // Saturday, February 11^th, 2017
A magical winter moonlit bike ride through the streets of Montreal!
What could be more magical than cycling through the heart of a moonlit city? As part of the Montreal 375^th Anniversary Hivernales celebrations, cycling and winter enthusiasts are invited to take part in a luminescent parade of bikes along a 3.75-km route. Seasoned cyclists can up the ante and add a 15-km jaunt to the Olympic stadium to the excursion. Later, all participants will meet up in the enchanting Old port. www.375mtl.com/en/snow-moon 
Inscriptions : www.velo.qc.ca/lunedhiver

Montréal Ice Canoe Challenge // February 11–12^th, 2017
Enjoy a ringside seat of extreme sport action at the Ice Canoe Challenge
It's two exhilarating days of heart-pumping competition as top-level athletes race their canoes across more than 10 metres of the glacial St. Lawrence River. Come out and cheer on Captain Mylène Paquette and her VIVE MONTREAL 375 crew, or one of the dozens of other teams,  for a fun-filled skill testing day on Saturday or the spectacular race on Sunday. Don't miss this unique winter experience! www.375mtl.com/en/ice-canoe-challenge 
Inscriptions : www.deficanotaglace.ca    

Hypothermic Half Marathon // Sunday, February 12^th, 2017
Runners young and old alike are invited to come swell the ranks of the Montreal Hypothermic Half Marathon…bigger and better than ever this year, with 2 new courses.
This half marathon, already a popular event among elite runners, as well as folks who simply want to try a winter challenge, is making room for a bigger family during Les Hivernales on Montréal's 375^th anniversary. Besides running the 21.1 kilometre measured course, participants who can now run a 10.55 km course or a Half Marathon relay for 2 runners. The 2-circuit race follows a course through the thrilling setting of Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame, starting from Parc Jean-Drapeau in the middle of the St. Lawrence. www.375mtl.com/en/half-marathon/
Inscriptions : http://www.hypothermichalf.com/register-s15013&language=fr

Polar Hero Race // Saturday, February 18^th, 2017
Get ready, get set, or get a team together for a spectacular, extreme winter sport experience
Come alone, with friends, or sign up the whole family for an activity that's unique in Canada – the POLAR HERO RACE. It's all happening at the Hivernales Montreal 375^th celebrations. Kids, adults, and seasoned athletes should start warming up for this unique, thrilling and exciting 5-km, 25-obstacle course. www.375mtl.com/en/polar-hero/
Inscriptions : www.polarherorace.com    

Curling en lumière // February 23^rd to March 11^th, 2017
Discover the magic of Curling en lumière – a brand new activity that's free for the whole family at the 375^th Hivernales
MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE sheds new light on curling, by taking the time-honoured game outdoors and to dazzling new heights. For a truly unique interactive experience, try your hand tossing the rocks against the brilliant backdrop of a light and sound performance. Animators will be on hand to provide play-by-play commentary, get everyone involved, and tally up team points. There will also be a designated area for those who prefer to stand back and enjoy the scene. www.375mtl.com/en/curling-en-lumière/

About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375^th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375^th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the festivities and socio-economic initiatives that will mark Montréal's 375^th birthday in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for initiatives that come together to fulfill its mandate: to mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, manage financial resources wisely, develop an exceptional program of events, and promote the festivities.

The Society receives financial support from the City of Montréal and the Québec government, as well as private funding from 11 Great Montréalers. For more information, please visit 375mtl.com.

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SOURCE Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal

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