Canadian Grand Prix 2015: 5 things you need to know
Events held across Montreal from June 4 to June 7
Whether you want to get involved in the festivities or avoid them entirely, here are some key things you need to know about Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
Events run from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7.
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Party sites (and street closures)
The race may be on Parc Jean-Drapeau's Notre-Dame Island, but much of the focus will be on the festivities in downtown Montreal.
- Crescent Street will closed to traffic between Sherbrooke and Ste-Catherine Streets from Thursday to Saturday. Events include free concerts, luxury cars, a "pit-stop challenge" and autograph sessions with the drivers.
- Peel Street will be closed between Ste-Catherine and De Maisonneuve, and will play host to similar events.
- St-Laurent Boulevard is closed between Sherbrooke Street and Pine Avenue from Thursday to Sunday. The festivities there will include street food, stretched out terraces, and more cars on display.
Street sales and parties (more street closures)
There are plenty of street sales taking place across the city this weekend.
Promenades Hochelaga-Maisonneuve's street sale and festival runs until Sunday on Ontario Street between Darling and Pie IX.
Portions of Wellington Street in Verdun, Monkland Avenue in NDG and St-Laurent Boulevard in Little Italy will be closed for street sales and festivals from Thursday to Sunday.
On a smaller scale, festivities surrounding the annual Neighbours' Day will also be taking place in neighbourhoods across the city on June 6.
Old Port festivities
St-Paul Street is the official "F1 Foodie Zone," from Thursday until Sunday.
There will also be private collections on display at Marché Bonsecours. The race-themed street closure will feature BBQs, street entertainers, and DJs.
The actual race
Race weekend begins Thursday at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
An open house was held Thursday morning, followed by practice sessions on Friday and qualifying races on Saturday.
The race itself begins at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. The full schedule is available here.
Protests
A number of protests and petitions have been organized against the race.
The community group CLES, Concertation des luttes contre l'exploitation sexuelle, has raised concern about the mistreatment sex workers at the Grand Prix.
The activist group FEMEN also held a protest Thursday against the exploitation of women at the event.