Montreal kicks off 375th celebrations with Barbegazi festival
CBC News | Posted: January 8, 2017 11:00 AM | Last Updated: January 8, 2017
Winter-themed festival includes free family activities, obstacle course and parties
The first big event of Montreal's 375th birthday party kicked off this weekend, with the Barbegazi winter games festival.
Located on the corner of Ste-Catherine Street and Clark Street, the free festival runs from Jan. 6-8, and Jan.13-15.
Barbegazi means "frozen beard" (from the French barbe-glacée) and its activities are centered around outdoor sports and challenges, including snowskating, Christmas tree throwing and log sawing.
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The city has set aside funds for everything from lights for the Jacques Cartier Bridge to a new downtown skating rink in honour of the anniversary.
The festival even features a full Wipeout-style obstacle course, but with a distinctly Montréalais flair.
Event organizer Micah Desforges says the design of the obstacle course, which includes igloos and a pine tree forest, was inspired by winter culture in Montreal.
"I think it's a key aspect to represent the landmarks of the city because we are the 375th's first event, the Hivernale."
Desforges says that while the challenges are meant to be skill testing, any average "weekend warrior" will be able to come out on top.
The site will also host an after-party for Igloofest on Jan. 14.