Unveiling of the 2010 Summer Program - Summer on the Quays of the Old Port of
Montréal: 45 departures a day, 8 terrace restaurants, and 94 days of events!
MONTREAL, June 30 /CNW Telbec/ - The Quays of the Old Port are humming with activities on a maritime theme this summer. There's something for every taste, every day, all summer long! From May to October, the Quays of the Old Port are offering more than 30 fun activities to help visitors make the most of summer in Montréal. All aboard for the summer season on the Quays of the Old Port: 45 departures a day, including 10 cruise ships, eight restaurants with terraces boasting great views of the St. Lawrence, and 94 days of activities, most of them free for the whole family. The Quays program includes tons of activities to guarantee you a fascinating and exciting summer with a maritime touch, including sails and sheets. Step aboard this well-equipped tourist destination and discover its maritime and urban treasures!
THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SUMMER: TALL SHIPS ON THE QUAYS ----------------------------------------------------
From September 16 - 19, five tall ships will be dropping anchor at the Quays of the Old Port. It's a unique and spectacular event!
Visitors will have the immense privilege of touring these majestic vessels, steeped in history and flying German and American flags. Meet the knowledgeable and enthusiastic crews of the Roald Amundsen (Germany), the Bounty (United States), the Pride of Baltimore II (United States), the Unicorn (United States), and the Lynx (United States).
This first edition of Tall Ships at the Quays will feature four days of celebrations in the Maritime Village around the Admiral's Club tent. The stars of the show will make their entrance on September 16, followed by tours of the ships, entertainment, stage shows, fireworks and lots more on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 17 to 19. It's a majestic event sure to dazzle visitors of all ages!
Cruises: 45 departures a day!
Whether you want to sail on a large ship, a speedboat or an ecological craft, there's something for everyone. Look no farther than the ten cruise travel agencies of the Quays, with 45 departures a day. The Bateau-Mouche, the Belvü Croisière Boutique, Croisières AML's Cavalier Maxim, l'Absolû 80, a luxury yacht, Le Petit Navire, Saute-Moutons with its all-new configuration, the Amphi-Bus, Jet St-Laurent, Navettes Fluviales, Latitude 45(degree) Nord: they all offer top-quality cruises.
Summer means terraces ... On the Quays, you'll find eight terrace restaurants overlooking the St. Lawrence
There are plenty of restaurants and terraces on the Quays, all offering different spectacular views of the St. Lawrence, Old Montréal and the Old Port itself. From east to west, eight restaurants and terraces await you, depending on the time of day or your mood. Will it be a light meal? A happy hour with friends or colleagues? Or perhaps dinner featuring lovingly prepared and inventive cuisine, with local and international flavours. For a relaxed and trendy atmosphere, try the Café des Éclusiers, Terrasses Bonsecours, Origine Bistro, Bistro Vû or Scena. For a quick meal at the Montréal Science Centre: Café Arsenik, La chaîne alimentaire (now including nine concession holders) or MuvBox (Magdalen Islands lobster and Brome Lake duck).
The Quays of the Old Port of Montréal: a summer festival with 94 days of events!
Maritime celebrations, music of all kinds, circus shows, theme shows, cultural events and, of course, the first edition of Tall Ships at the Quays ... the fun never ends!
The St. Lawrence is calling you
The sea breezes will be caressing the Quays this summer. Pleasure boaters can look forward to various nautical fests featuring some remarkable, prestigious and impressive watercraft. The most anticipated summer event will surely be the first edition of the Tall Ships at the Quays, when five large vessels from the U.S. and Europe will be stopping over at the Old Port in mid-September.
- June 16 - 19: the Roald Amundsen (Germany) tall ship will be staying at the Port d'escale for a few days, on its way to the Great Lakes. Public tours will be given by its experienced crew. - August 20 - 22: as part of the Classic Boat Festival, some fifty of the finest classic North American boats will be exhibited, on land and in the water. This second edition will also include activities for the whole family and evening concerts. - September 10 - 12: the Salon du bateau à flot de Montréal, the first outdoor boat show in Montréal, will allow boat enthusiasts to look at and compare many watercraft of all sizes, with great deals on new or used boats.
Environment on the Quays
- June 18 - 20 will be the 5th edition of the Salon national de l'environnement. This is a province-wide event for the general public, dedicated to the environment. Its objective is to make visitors aware of today's environmental challenges, while proposing tools to give people a better understanding and encourage behavioural changes. Place des Vestiges. Free admission. - June 27 to September 6: État sauvage, a magnificent exhibition! The Maison de l'image et de la photographie will be presenting 130 of the top wildlife photos from around the world, under the big top on Bonsecours Island. Don't miss this spellbinding show, which already fascinated over 30,000 people when it was first presented in Montréal in August 2009. For more details, see www.etatsauvage.com
Music, music, music!
Everyone knows that festivals and music go hand-in-hand. On the Quays, all musical styles come together and will be played on outdoor stages near the St. Lawrence. From reggae to classical, bachata to electronica, music lovers will be delighted!
- June 24: Vision Diversité presents Hommage pluriel au Québec, celebrating the fête nationale with world music! Free concerts. - June 26: Classical music will be the focus of the Montreal Baroque Festival. This year, the theme is Spheres. - July 30: Part of the Campbell Concerts, Apadooraï, a young Montréal instrumental quartet, has an eclectic style with an Australian influence. Free admission. - July 7 - August 13: Keep your eyes peeled and your ears plugged as soldiers from the Compagnie Franche de la Marine and Olde 78th Fraser Highlanders will be doing on-site demonstrations, from Wednesday to Saturday. This event is presented by the Stewart Museum. - August 21 - 22: Evenko presents the famous American punk rock trio Green Day, in concert on the Jacques Cartier Quay. An electrifying performance of hits from their latest album, 21st Century Breakdown - September 4 - 5: The third edition of M on the Quays will feature up-and-coming musical bands on two outdoor stages. It's an exceptional opportunity to discover future national and international star material! Free admission.
The circus comes to town!
Montréal, City of Circus Arts? Yes, you read it right, and the Quays are at the heart of the action, right where Cirque du Soleil has been dazzling young and old alike with its new show, and where the Festival of Circus Arts will be taking off!
- April 22 - July 11: Cirque du Soleil comes to the Jacques Cartier Quay with Totem, the all-new touring show premiering on the Quays. Human evolution, filtered and transformed by Robert Lepage's imagination, and presented by virtuoso artists from Cirque du Soleil. - July 8 - 31: Montréal, complètement cirque will take over, and Cirque Éloize will present its new creation, ID, under the big top. For its first edition, the Festival will call on one of Montréal's most popular young troupes, combining circus arts and urban dance. A mixture of hip hop, break dance, videos, graffiti and electronic music presented by 14 artists.
But wait, there's more!
Many other cultural events are scheduled, including:
- August 14: Montréal's Japanese community invites the general public for a guaranteed change of scenery, with an immersion in Japanese culture during Matsuri Japon. - Imagination and creativity are the words of the day on the Quays during Escales improbables, September 10 to 12. Multidisciplinary and avant- garde artists collaborate and involve the public during this very original event. Free admission.
And another 30 activities to enjoy, with new additions and old favourites
The Quays always have a lot to offer families. Come and take your kids for a Quadricycle ride, a pedalboat outing or an aMAZEing adventure in Labyrinthe du Hangar 16. And, to catch your breath a little, there's La Balade, a small motorized train that takes you across the site while regaling you with highlights of the Old Port's rich history.
NEW! Bota Bota, spa-sur-l'eau.
Spa means salus per aquam, or health by water.
Bota Bota takes these three words literally, combining the health benefits of a spa with the natural rocking motion of the waves. Permanently anchored at the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal, the remodelled vessel features an avant-garde design. Its five decks house water circuits, treatment and rest areas, a bistro and expansive terraces with breathtaking views of the city and the St. Lawrence. An eagerly awaited opening this summer!
NEW! A downloadable audioguide: Five Generations, One Port. History for free! Free - Starting July 1
This original and informative audioguide looks at the history of the Port through five generations. The entertaining narrator tells us the story of the Quays through fascinating anecdotes from his personal life and the lives of his ancestors. Relive the spellbinding story of the Old Port: learn about the port district, the events that shaped it over the years and the daily lives of those who lived and worked there and the sailors passing through. You can download it to your electronic audio or video player, from home or even on the Quays site, through the WiFi network.
The Quays of the Old Port of Montréal: The perfect maritime destination!
More than ever, the Quays of the Old Port are the destination par excellence for pleasure boaters and sailors of all levels, offering a wide range of services and ready to welcome boaters for the season or short or long stays.
Well-known at the Quays of the Old Port, the Port d'escale marina has expanded its reputation, thanks to its excellent services and its attractive and unbeatable position on the pleasure boating market. The marina can accommodate a hundred craft of all sizes, and is now seeing the fruit of its efforts to attract boaters from Ontario, eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. All that hard work paid off!
This spring, the Port d'escale was totally refurbished to offer even better services. A detailed map is now available on the Quays of the Old Port of Montréal's Website (www.quaysoftheoldport.com).
Montréal Yacht Club
Located in the Clock Tower Basin at the east end of the Old Port site, this new 205-slip public marina is ideally situated and offers exceptional installations for seasonal members and visiting boaters. The new infrastructures of the Montreal Yacht Club offer a unique and relaxed setting and personalized customer service. Just minutes from downtown Montreal, enjoy spectacular views of the city and the St. Lawrence River while appreciating the peace and quiet aboard your boat.
Aquafina Plus + Vitamins 10 cal "Make your dreams come true" contest
From June 12 to September 10, 2010, enter Aquafina's "Make your dreams come true" contest for a chance to win $10,000, and make your dreams come true!
Full details available at www.quaysoftheoldport.com.
Passport for the Quays of the Old Port
Pick up a summer passport with total savings of $300 for all the activities on the Quays. Available at the Jacques Cartier information booth, and downloadable from quaysoftheoldport.com.
The Quays of the Old Port of Montréal: a powerful economic generator
With more than 5 million visitors annually, the Quays of the Old Port play an important part in Montréal's economy and are a powerful tourism and recreational attraction. The Old Port of Montréal Corporation, manager of the Quays of the Old Port, is committed to positioning the Quays as an essential destination in Montréal thanks to its extensive and original line-up of activities - a true reflection of Montréal's personality.
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The Quays of the Old Port wish to acknowledge the support of their partners: Sleeman, Pepsi and TELUS, and their official environmental partner, the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
For full details on our summer activities and events on the Quays of the Old Port, visit www.quaysoftheoldport.com or call 514-496-PORT, or 1-800 971-PORT.
For further information: Julie Mailhot, Public Relations Officer, Old Port of Montréal Corporation, Manager, Quays of the Old Port of Montréal and Montréal Science Centre, 514 283-8085, 514 838-4524, [email protected]; www.oldportofmontreal.com
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