I went to the “Carnaval de Québec” this weekend. It is Quebec city’s annual winter carnival. The “carnaval” used to be pretty rowdy but in recent years the organizers have made an effort to make it more family friendly. Everywhere I went there were activities for children both indoors and outside. There are slides of all kinds, skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing… There are races and contests, parades and fireworks. There are teepees, snowmobiles and clowns. There are marching bands everywhere. It is very colorful and noisy! Everywhere day and night you hear a sound similar to a moose calling which is produced by a long red plastic trumpet that is very popular.
This year was the fiftieth anniversary of the mascot ”BONHOMME CARNAVAL”. He is a large, friendly snowman known the world over. He is everywhere, and everyone wants to hug him or have their picture taken with him. He only wears a red “tuque” and a “ceinture fléchée” which is a colorful woven belt wrapped and tied around his waist.
His palace, made of thousands of blocks of ice, is a landmark. You can walk through it and, at night, it is lit in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Every year they make a new effigy of Bonhomme and sell it to raise money. Here is a photo of some of them from years past
The carnival lasts almost three weeks, and there are many yearly events such as the canoe race across the river. Teams race across the half frozen St Lawrence River, they half paddle half carry the boats across.
There is an impressive snow sculpture competition. The entries are classified by category such as international, national and beginners, but they are all spectacular!
There is also a ball that is very popular. There used to be a beauty contest that ended with the crowning of a Queen, this tradition was abandoned a few years ago but I saw a video about it. It was fun looking back at the clothes they wore in the fifties and sixties.
There are two nighttime parades that are very colorful. The one I attended culminated in a firework display on the Plaines d’Abraham where 12000 glasses of bubbly were served.
One tradition that is inseparable from the carnaval is the drinking of “Caribou”. Caribou is a hot drink made from St Georges wine, alcohol and cinnamon. It is said to be a tradition that dates way back. It certainly helps to beat the cold. You can buy a hollow cane and fill it with Caribou…There are road side stands that fill them up…there used to be a lot more…
Which brings me to the crux of the matter: the COLD! Yes it was cold, very cold even! It is imperative to dress very warmly. But judging by the number of people out there all weekend, it can be done and should not be an excuse for missing out on this great event.