Quebec City Winter Carnival at the stunning city of Quebec
In
the winter wonderland that is the annual Quebec City Winter Carnival,
everyone in the city flocks into the streets to celebrate the bitter cold
while the rest of the population, if they are not skiing, are wishing it
to end.
This is the most celebrated global winter event, and the largest carnival
in the world after Rio de Janeiro, and New Orleans' Mardi Gras. Although
the French settlers had long got together with family and friends at this
time of year to cheer themselves up before Lent, the first organized
winter carnival here was in 1894. Further carnivals took place
intermittently until 1955 when they were made an annual institution,
taking place every year from late January to mid-February.
Old Quebec is the only North American urban site on UNESCO's World
Heritage List, recognized for its cultural and historical significance.
The symbol of the carnival is Bonhomme, a talking, dancing snowman, who
entertains the crowds at many of the events. His shining Ice Palace is
the backdrop to the firework spectaculars that mark the opening and
closing ceremonies of the carnival, as well as laser shows.
Sporting competitions include the International Canoe Race, in which
teams have paddle, drag and push their canoes over the St Lawrence River
from Quebec City to Levis. In this battle between man and nature, the
teams struggle against ice floes, treacherous currents and freezing
water. Another must-see spectators-sport is the Provincial Dogsled Racing
Championship, in which the dog teams race around the cobbled, icy
streets, sliding into snow banks to the roar of the jubilant crowds.
There are also several other races on the ice, dog agility competitions
on the snow and a soapbox derby.
A variety of activities is available for every age range, from the snow
board park, snow 'rafting', a multitude of fabulous parades and
horse-drawn sleigh rides and Bonhomme's Ball. You can visit a traditional
Aboriginal igloo village, and stay in one overnight if you wish. In the
International Snow Sculpture Event artisans from around the world create
dazzling examples of enormous ice art.
The Quebec Winter Carnival is a bright, delicious treat for the senses in
an otherwise cold and dark season.
