Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival
Encyclopedia
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and organized by a not-for-profit organization, during which hot air balloons of every shape and colour are flown and where 300 shows and performances adding up to over 60 hours’ worth of programming are taking place. More than 200,000 visitors and 1,000 RVs usually participate.
It is held over four days in late-August and early September during the Labor Day Weekend.
History
Jean Boileau era and the festival's beginning (1988-2001)
The festival started in 1988 by Jean Boileau and attracted about 50 000 visitors and about 50 balloons. Through the following years the festival became much larger and was one of the biggest festivals in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Attendance at one point reached over 225,000 people and had over 150 balloons. In 1998, the festival was also hosting the World Hot Air Airship Championship, which was disputed by 16 teams from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
However, while it had continuous growth over the years, 2001 was the year that had transformed significantly the face and structure of the festival.
Fatal accident and festival departure (2001-2002)
On July 14th 2001, Boileau who was the general manager since its beginning was involved in a horrific hot-air balloon accident just east of the Ottawa International Airport on Leitrim RoadLeitrim Road (Ottawa)
Leitrim Road is an east-west road in Ottawa's south end. It connects River Road in the West, passes south of the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport and continues east to Russell Road. Leitrim briefly cuts off in two areas. In the western section, one must travel briefly on Limebank Road in...
. The balloon, while trying to land in an open field, struck some hydro wires after a sudden wind gust. It suddenly engulfed in flames. Boileau sustained multiple burns while trying to rescue his 15 year-old daughter, Julie, who was trapped inside the balloon's basket. Unfortunately, the rescue effort failed as the girl died instantly while two other people also sustained burns. Boileau, despite the fact that a subsequent Transport Canada report which mention that the accident was caused by a pilot error and bad weather conditions, was later honored by then-governor general Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
for bravery. In 2007 a commemorative plaque was unveiled at the La Baie Park for Boileau's daughter known as the festival's first volunteer and a tree was also planted on site in her honor in conjunction of the festival's 20th Anniversary which also honored the founder of the festival.
After that event, he never piloted a hot-air balloon and left his general manager spot of the Festival afterwards - some speculations were that the new city of Gatineau administration of Yves Ducharme
Yves Ducharme
Yves Ducharme was the mayor of Hull, Québec, in the Outaouais region, from 1992 to 2002 and from 2002 to 2005 mayor of Gatineau after the city had been merged with its neighbours, part of the supra-organization the Communauté Urbaine de l'Outaouais. He was defeated in an election in 2005 by Marc...
tried to force him out of the job by offering a spot for the new city as chief of communications. He was handled that position for a few months during rehabilitation, but the position was later removed and changed as the position of director of communications and the City did not appointed him due to health reasons caused by his accident. Some speculated that the Ducharme administration wanted to remove people who were associated with the former city of Gatineau's last mayor, Robert Labine
Robert Labine
Robert "Bob" Labine was a Quebec politician in Gatineau, Quebec. He was best known for being mayor of the former city of Gatineau between 1988 and 1994 and again between 1999 and 2001....
and Ducharme's mayoral rival in the 2001 elections for the new city of Gatineau. However, a settlement between the city and Boileau was made in 2003. The departure of Boileau had also put the Festival's future in doubt as several of his associates also left the Festival's organization.
Boileau is currently the communication director of the Université du Québec en Outaouais
Université du Québec en Outaouais
The Université du Québec en Outaouais is a branch of the Université du Québec located in Gatineau, Québec, Canada. As of September 2010, combined enrolment at UQO's Gatineau and Saint-Jérôme campuses was 6,017, of which 4,738 were undergraduates and 1,279 postgraduate students...
The festival after the amalgamation of Gatineau (2002 to present)
In 2002, the new city of Gatineau was formed and immediately it announced changes which included a new logo and a significantly lower number of balloons that participated; 75 down from 125 in the prior year. The attendance remained steady in the post-Boileau era showing a very little if any drop attracting about 200,000 visitors.While the festival had stability by having one general manager for its first 13 years. There were several others after Boileau's departure including former president of the festival and Gatineau councillor Paul Morin, followed by post-Boileau general managers Diane Chevrier and Daniel Simoncic, Fernand Lavoie and Francois Grenier. Brigitte Michaud is the general manager since 2009.[1]
Also, well known local businessman Martin Lacasse was president for several years but left in April 2006. Alain Fredette became the new president in 2006. Finally, Yves Ducharme
Yves Ducharme
Yves Ducharme was the mayor of Hull, Québec, in the Outaouais region, from 1992 to 2002 and from 2002 to 2005 mayor of Gatineau after the city had been merged with its neighbours, part of the supra-organization the Communauté Urbaine de l'Outaouais. He was defeated in an election in 2005 by Marc...
was defeated in the 2005 municipal elections by fellow councillor Marc Bureau. The 2006 edition was held with a new president, general manager and city mayor. The Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2007 along with 230 000 festival-goers. The Festival has since welcomed many internationally known artists and keeps on renewing itself each year.
Notable singing performers and attendance during the history of the festival
Several well-known artists performed during the Festival over the course of its history since 1988. Among those included:- 1988 : 34 000 festival-goers - Show by Nuance
- 1989 : 90 000 festival-goers. Show by Céline DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
and Pierre Flynn. - 1990 : 110 000 festival-goers. Show by MitsouMitsouMitsou Annie Marie Gélinas is a Canadian pop singer, businesswoman, television and radio host, and actress...
and Paul PichéPaul PichéPaul Piché is a Québécois singer-songwriter, environmentalist, political activist and renowned Quebec sovereigntist....
. - 1991 : 150 000 festival-goers. Show by Daniel LavoieDaniel LavoieDaniel Lavoie is a Canadian singer–songwriter.Lavoie was born in Dunrea, Manitoba, Canada. His mother was a musician and he learned to play piano at a young age...
, André-Philippe GagnonAndré-Philippe GagnonAndré-Philippe Gagnon is a Canadian comedian and impressionist. He has been married to Marie-Claude Chantal since the late 1980s....
, MarjoMarjoMarjolène Morin , professionally known as Marjo, is a francophone Canadian singer-songwriter.-Biography:...
and Vilain PingouinVilain PingouinVilain Pingouin is a rock band from Quebec, Canada. The band's name, roughly translated, means "Evil Auk" in English. There have been many changes in the band...
. - 1992 : 170 000 festival-goers. Show by Richard SéguinRichard SéguinRichard Séguin is a Canadian author, composer and singer.His music career began in the 1970s with the duo "Les Séguin", with his twin sister Marie-Claire. He has had a solo career since 1977....
, Luc De Larochellière, Céline DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
and Les B.B. - 1993 : 185 000 festival-goers. Show by Robert CharleboisRobert CharleboisRobert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
, Ginette RenoGinette RenoGinette Reno, OC, CQ is a French-Canadian author, composer, singer, and actress. She is known by the nickname .Born as Ginette Reynault in Montreal, Quebec, she played the role of Maria Barberini in the independent film Mambo Italiano and played the mother in Léolo.She has recorded in both...
, Alannah MylesAlannah MylesAlannah Myles is a Canadian singer-songwriter, the daughter of Canadian broadcast pioneer William Douglas Byles. In 1989, she released her eponymous debut album...
and Julie MasseJulie MasseJulie Masse is a Canadian pop singer.-Biography:Masse released her self-titled debut album in 1990, a French language album that made her a star in Quebec and France, with the singles "C'est Zéro", "Billy", "Sans t'oublier" and "Prends bien garde"...
. - 1994 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by France D'Amour, Claude DuboisClaude DuboisClaude André Dubois is a Canadian singer-songwriter.Dubois was an early star of the francophone musical Starmania...
, Édith ButlerÉdith ButlerÉdith Butler O.C. is an Acadian singer-songwriter and folklorist. Her career began in the early 1960s with performances in Moncton, followed by national appearances on CBC Television's Singalong Jubilee.2003's Madame Butlerfly is her most recent studio recording.-Honours:*Butler was appointed an...
, Gilles VigneaultGilles VigneaultGilles Vigneault, is a Canadian poet, publisher and singer-songwriter, and well-known Quebec nationalist and sovereigntist.A poet deeply rooted in his native Quebec, Vigneault has become an icon at home and Quebec ambassador abroad...
and Roch VoisineRoch VoisineJoseph Armand Roch Voisine, OC better known as Roch Voisine, is a Canadian Acadian singer-songwriter, actor, and radio and television host...
. - 1995 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by arjo, onia Benezra, itsou, ario Pelchat, im Corcoran, ylvain Cossette, ichaël Rancourt, ric Lapointe and ildor Roy.
- 1996 : 225 000 festival-goers. Show by Robert CharleboisRobert CharleboisRobert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song....
, André-Philippe GagnonAndré-Philippe GagnonAndré-Philippe Gagnon is a Canadian comedian and impressionist. He has been married to Marie-Claude Chantal since the late 1980s....
, Marie CarmenMarie CarmenMarie Carmen is the stage name of Marie-Carmen Aubut , a Canadian pop singer and musical theatre actor....
and Kevin ParentKevin ParentKevin Parent Kevin Parent Kevin Parent (born 12 December 1972 in Greenfield Park, Quebec (now Longueuil) is a bilingual Québécois singer-songwriter. Although his mother language is English, he was raised and educated in the French speaking area of Bay of Chaleur (Gaspé Peninsula) in the...
. - 1997 : 225 000 festival-goers. Show by Richard SéguinRichard SéguinRichard Séguin is a Canadian author, composer and singer.His music career began in the 1970s with the duo "Les Séguin", with his twin sister Marie-Claire. He has had a solo career since 1977....
, Dan BigrasDan BigrasDan Bigras is a francophone rock singer and actor from Canada. He was discovered by Gerry Boulet in 1983, and his first album Ange Animal was released in 1990....
, Anthony KavanaghAnthony KavanaghAnthony KAVANAGH is a Canadian stand up comedian, actor, singer, tv host. After a successful career on the francophone stand-up scene in Quebec, he became a major star in France, where he is now a popular television host.- Early life :Anthony Kavanagh was born to Haitian parents on September 26,...
, Gipsy KingsGipsy KingsThe Gipsy Kings are a group of musicians from Arles and Montpellier, who perform in Spanish with an Andalucían accent. Although group members were born in France, their parents were mostly gitanos, Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the 1930s Spanish Civil War. Chico Bouchikhi is of...
and Soul AttorneysSoul AttorneysJ. Gaines and the Soul Attorneys is a Canadian pop R&B band formed in 1994 in Quebec City as Soul Attorneys, which at the time consisted of Jacques Gaines, Eric Filto and Mathieu Dandurand....
. - 1998 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by Claude DuboisClaude DuboisClaude André Dubois is a Canadian singer-songwriter.Dubois was an early star of the francophone musical Starmania...
, DubmatiqueDubmatiqueDubmatique are a Canadian hip hop group from Montreal. They were the first French language hip hop crew from Canada to break through to Canada's francophone pop charts...
, Luce DufaultLuce DufaultLuce Dufault is a French-Canadian singer born on August 19, 1966, in Orleans, Ontario. She played in two musicals from Luc Plamondon, La Légende de Jimmy and Starmania....
, Jonny LangJonny LangJonny Lang is a Grammy award-winning American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter and recording artist. Lang's music is notable for both his unusual voice, which has been compared to that of a forty-year-old blues veteran, and for his guitar solos...
, Kevin ParentKevin ParentKevin Parent Kevin Parent Kevin Parent (born 12 December 1972 in Greenfield Park, Quebec (now Longueuil) is a bilingual Québécois singer-songwriter. Although his mother language is English, he was raised and educated in the French speaking area of Bay of Chaleur (Gaspé Peninsula) in the...
and Sylvain CossetteSylvain CossetteSylvain Cossette is a French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Grand-Mère, Quebec . Sylvain was a founding member of the Quebec-based English language band Paradox in 1984, before becoming a French language solo artist by 1994...
. - 1999 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by DubmatiqueDubmatiqueDubmatique are a Canadian hip hop group from Montreal. They were the first French language hip hop crew from Canada to break through to Canada's francophone pop charts...
, Bruno PelletierBruno PelletierBruno Pelletier , is a francophone Quebecer singer.-Life:Pelletier was born in Charlesbourg, a suburb of Quebec City. In 1983 Pelletier performed in the bands Amanite and Sneak Preview, which sang in English. He later started a group called Pëll, singing in French. At 23 years old, he moved to...
, Corey HartCorey HartCorey Mitchell Hart is a Canadian musician, best known for such hit singles "Sunglasses at Night" and "Never Surrender". He has sold over 15 million records worldwide and scored nine consecutive US Billboard Top 40 hits. In Canada Hart has amassed 29 Top 40 hits, including 11 in the Top 10, over...
and Jean Leloup. - 2000 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by Zachary RichardZachary RichardZachary Richard is a Cajun singer/songwriter and poet. His music is an innovative combination of Cajun and Zydeco musical styles.-Biography:...
, MarjoMarjoMarjolène Morin , professionally known as Marjo, is a francophone Canadian singer-songwriter.-Biography:...
, Éric LapointeÉric LapointeÉric Lapointe may refer to:* Éric Lapointe , running back in the Canadian Football League* Éric Lapointe , francophone singer from Quebec...
, La ChicaneLa ChicaneLa Chicane is a francophone rock band from Québec, Canada. They performed at the 2003 Toronto Rocks SARS benefit concert.-Past & Present Members:* Dany Bédar, bassist * Martin Bédard, drummer and Dany Bedar brother...
, Pierre LalondePierre LalondePierre Lalonde is a singer and television host from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Pierre attended high school in the United States but returned to Canada in 1960, where he worked at radio station CKJL with his father in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec...
and Richard AbelRichard AbelRichard L. Abel is Professor of Law , specialist in African Law Studies and renowned socio-legal scholar. He received his B.A. from Harvard University , his LL.B. from Columbia University and his Ph.D. from the University of London . He has been a member of the UCLA Law faculty since 1974...
. - 2001 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by Luck MervilLuck MervilLuck Mervil is a Haitian-Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is known for his belief in Quebec independence, and was named Patriot of the Year by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society in 2005....
, Sylvain CossetteSylvain CossetteSylvain Cossette is a French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Grand-Mère, Quebec . Sylvain was a founding member of the Quebec-based English language band Paradox in 1984, before becoming a French language solo artist by 1994...
, Bruno PelletierBruno PelletierBruno Pelletier , is a francophone Quebecer singer.-Life:Pelletier was born in Charlesbourg, a suburb of Quebec City. In 1983 Pelletier performed in the bands Amanite and Sneak Preview, which sang in English. He later started a group called Pëll, singing in French. At 23 years old, he moved to...
, OkouméOkoumeOkoumé may refer to:* Okoumé, a Quebec band active from 1995-2002* Okoumé, an alternate name for Aucoumea klaineana, an African hardwood...
, Fernand GignacFernand GignacFernand Gignac was a French Canadian singer and actor.Beside his music career under the label Fleur-de-Lis, Gignac also starred in several television series ....
and Annie BrocoliAnnie BrocoliAnnie Brocoli is the name of a popular children's character in Québec. She is the creation of Annie Grenier , an actress/singer whose alter ego was inspired by her childhood experiences as well as by her own two children....
. - 2002 : festival-goers. Show by Alain Choquette, Gabrielle DestroismaisonsGabrielle DestroismaisonsGabrielle Destroismaisons is a French Canadian singer. In 2000, she released her debut album Etc..., which sold more than 100,000 copies in a few months.- Videography :* Et cetera ** Into you *...
, Mario PelchatMario PelchatMario Pelchat is a francophone singer.-Biography:Quebec singer Mario Pelchat has performed since 1973. His first 45 RPM single recording was released in September 1981. His early albums include 1982's Je suis un chanteur and Tu m’as fait mal the following year...
, Boom Desjardins, Richard SéguinRichard SéguinRichard Séguin is a Canadian author, composer and singer.His music career began in the 1970s with the duo "Les Séguin", with his twin sister Marie-Claire. He has had a solo career since 1977....
and Stéphane RousseauStéphane RousseauStéphane Rousseau is a Québécois actor and comedian. He starred in the Academy Award winning film The Barbarian Invasions . He has also been in Asterix at the Olympic Games...
. - 2003 : Show by Roch VoisineRoch VoisineJoseph Armand Roch Voisine, OC better known as Roch Voisine, is a Canadian Acadian singer-songwriter, actor, and radio and television host...
, Daniel BélangerDaniel BélangerDaniel Bélanger is a musician/singer/songwriter. He is considered one of the best Québécois songwriters and singers to emerge in the past 15 years...
, Bob Walsh, Lulu Hugues, Yelo Molo and les Respectables. - 2004 : 200 000 festival-goers. Show by Daniel BoucherDaniel BoucherDaniel Boucher may refer to:*Daniel Boucher , professor of Buddhist studies at Cornell University*Daniel Boucher , Québécois musician...
, Nanette WorkmanNanette WorkmanNanette Joan Workman is today a singer-songwriter, actress and author who has been based in Quebec, Canada during much of her career. She was raised by musician parents in Jackson, Mississippi where she began her first performances. She mainly performs in French although raised as a native...
, Marie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal Toupin is a Canadian musician.She was a 2004 Juno Award nominee for Francophone Album of the Year...
, Laurence JalbertLaurence JalbertLaurence Jalbert is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter.She began her career with the band Volt in 1985. The band won CKOI-FM's L'Empire des futures stars competition in 1987. They recorded only one single, , before breaking up...
, Mélanie Renaud, Andrée WattersAndrée WattersAndrée Watters-Michaud is a musician and a one-time Felix-award winner in 2004, from Quebec-Early/Non career life:...
, Bruno PelletierBruno PelletierBruno Pelletier , is a francophone Quebecer singer.-Life:Pelletier was born in Charlesbourg, a suburb of Quebec City. In 1983 Pelletier performed in the bands Amanite and Sneak Preview, which sang in English. He later started a group called Pëll, singing in French. At 23 years old, he moved to...
, Gino VannelliGino VannelliGino Vannelli is an Italian-Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and composer.-Early years:Born in Montreal, Quebec, Vannelli is one of three sons born to Russ and Delia Vannelli. Russ, his father, was a big band musician. As a child, Gino's greatest passion was music, and he began playing...
, La Bottine SourianteLa Bottine SourianteLa Bottine Souriante is a folk band from Quebec specialising in traditional Québécois music, often with a modern twist.Formed in 1976, they have toured extensively through North America and Europe. As well as the traditional accordion, fiddle, guitar, piano and double bass, the band added a...
and Martin GirouxMartin GirouxMartin Giroux is a Canadian pop singer who sings in French. He first became known as a contestant on the TV series Star Académie in 2004. He later had success with the radio hit "J't'aimerai encore".- Early life :...
. - 2005 : Show by Boom Desjardins, Éric LapointeÉric LapointeÉric Lapointe may refer to:* Éric Lapointe , running back in the Canadian Football League* Éric Lapointe , francophone singer from Quebec...
, Hugo Lapointe, Martin DeschampsMartin DeschampsMartin Deschamps is a Canadian rock singer from Quebec. He records and performs both as a solo artist and as the lead vocalist for the reunited Offenbach.-Young age:...
, Florent VollantFlorent VollantFlorent Vollant is a Canadian singer-songwriter. An Innu from Maliotenam, Quebec, he was half of the popular folk music duo Kashtin, one of the most important musical groups in First Nations history....
, Michel PagliaroMichel PagliaroMichel Pagliaro is a prolific Canadian rock singer, songwriter and guitarist. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is also based there. He is often referred to simply as Pagliaro or Pag. Although he writes and records predominantly in French, Pagliaro has released material in English...
, Marie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal Toupin is a Canadian musician.She was a 2004 Juno Award nominee for Francophone Album of the Year...
, Luck MervilLuck MervilLuck Mervil is a Haitian-Canadian actor and singer-songwriter. He is known for his belief in Quebec independence, and was named Patriot of the Year by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society in 2005....
, Vincent VallièresVincent VallièresVincent Vallières is a Québécois singer from the city of Sherbrooke, Quebec.-Career:Vallières debut album, Trente Arpents, was released in 1999, followed by Bordel Ambiant in 2001 . He became popular in Quebec in 2003 with the release of his third album, Chacun Dans Son Espace...
, Émily BéginÉmily BéginÉmily Bégin is a Canadian singer, actress and dancer.Émily is most known for her participation in the first season of Star Académie in 2003-2004. Shortly after she released her debut album...
, Marie-MaiMarie-MaiMarie-Mai Bouchard also known as her stage name Marie-Mai, is a French Canadian singer from Quebec...
, Nicola CicconeNicola CicconeNicola Ciccone is a francophone singer-songwriter based in Quebec.A Canadian of Italian origin, his first songs were written in English at the age of twelve and later in Italian, French and Spanish...
and the Boogie Wonder Band. - 2006 : 170 000 festival-goers. Show by Simple PlanSimple PlanSimple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier , Jeff Stinco , Sébastien Lefebvre , David Desrosiers and Chuck Comeau...
, Stéphanie LapointeStéphanie LapointeStéphanie Lapointe is a Quebec singer, song writer, television and movie actress and humanitarian activist. She is best known as the winner of the second season of Star Académie, the Quebec version of Fame Academy....
, Annie VilleneuveAnnie VilleneuveAnnie Villeneuve is a French Canadian pop singer-songwriter. She participated at the first season of Star Académie in 2003. She also sang the French and the bilingual official song of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, I believe/J'Imagine....
, Véronic DiCaireVéronic DiCaireVéronic DiCaire is a Canadian Franco-Ontarian singer and imitator.- Biography :She started her career in group Sens Unique, and then had a role in Montreal, Quebec version of the musical Grease...
, MarjoMarjoMarjolène Morin , professionally known as Marjo, is a francophone Canadian singer-songwriter.-Biography:...
, GarouGarouGarou may refer to:* A word from the French "loup-garou", meaning "werewolf"* Garou a French Canadian singer** Garou , the 2006 eponymous album by Garou...
and les Cowboys FringantsLes Cowboys FringantsLes Cowboys Fringants are a popular band and cult phenomenon from Quebec, who perform Québécois néo-trad music , the band also draws on Country music. They have gained an international underground following, especially in France, French-speaking Belgium and Switzerland...
. - 2007 : 230 000 festival-goers. Show by Dan BigrasDan BigrasDan Bigras is a francophone rock singer and actor from Canada. He was discovered by Gerry Boulet in 1983, and his first album Ange Animal was released in 1990....
, Bruno PelletierBruno PelletierBruno Pelletier , is a francophone Quebecer singer.-Life:Pelletier was born in Charlesbourg, a suburb of Quebec City. In 1983 Pelletier performed in the bands Amanite and Sneak Preview, which sang in English. He later started a group called Pëll, singing in French. At 23 years old, he moved to...
, Compagnie Créole, Alfa Rococo, Eva AvilaEva AvilaEva Avila is a singer and songwriter. She won the fourth season of the CTV reality show Canadian Idol in 2006.-Early life:...
, KaïnKaïnKaïn is a folk rock group from the town of Drummondville, Quebec, Canada. The group of four is made up of Steve Veilleux , Yanick Blanchette , Patrick Lemieux and Éric Maheu...
, Champion et ses G-Strings, Lulu Hugues, Andrée WattersAndrée WattersAndrée Watters-Michaud is a musician and a one-time Felix-award winner in 2004, from Quebec-Early/Non career life:...
, Marie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal ToupinMarie-Chantal Toupin is a Canadian musician.She was a 2004 Juno Award nominee for Francophone Album of the Year...
, Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite and Kim Richardson. - 2008 : 190 000 festival-goers. Show by Finger ElevenFinger ElevenFinger Eleven is a Canadian rock band from Burlington, Ontario, formed in 1989. They have currently released five studio albums, with their album The Greyest of Blue Skies bringing them into the mainstream...
, Marie-Élaine ThibertMarie-Élaine ThibertMarie-Élaine Thibert is a Quebec adult contemporary and pop singer. Thibert was first notable for being the runner-up in the first season of Star Académie in 2003, the Quebec singing idol reality show...
, Boom Desjardins, JamilJamilJamil is a given name in Arabic and in many other languages. Latin spelling variants include Gamil , Cemil , Djemil and Djamil...
, France Maisonneuve, Xavier CaféïneXavier CaféïneXavier Caféïne is a French-Canadian rock singer and musician from the province of Québec. He is a former member of the band Caféïne.In August 2006, he released his first album as a solo artist. He played most of the instruments on his album but received helped from Michel Langevin on the drum for...
, Dennis DeYoungDennis DeYoungDennis DeYoung is an American singer, songwriter, musician and producer best known for being a founding member of the rock band Styx, a tenure that lasted from 1970 to 1999.-Early life:...
, Pascale Picard and Gregory CharlesGregory CharlesGregory Charles is a Quebec performing artist of French Canadian and Trinidadian origin.-Biography:...
. - 2009 : 255 000 festival-goers. Show by Mes AïeuxMes AïeuxMes Aïeux is a folk music group from Quebec, Canada founded in 1996.Although they are labeled as leaders of the "neo-traditional" movement in Quebec, they frequently use subjects and characters from traditional French Canadian folklore in order to approach modern themes with a...
, Kenny RogersKenny RogersKenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
, Ariane MoffattAriane MoffattAriane Moffatt is a Canadian francophone singer-songwriter based in Quebec. She has won Félix and Juno Awards and has performed and collaborated with many artists such as Daniel Bélanger and Marc Déry.-Career:...
, Marie-MaiMarie-MaiMarie-Mai Bouchard also known as her stage name Marie-Mai, is a French Canadian singer from Quebec...
and Éric LapointeÉric LapointeÉric Lapointe may refer to:* Éric Lapointe , running back in the Canadian Football League* Éric Lapointe , francophone singer from Quebec...
. Spokesperson: Patrice Bélanger - 2010 : 175 000 festival-goers – Show by Bobby BaziniBobby BaziniBobby Bazini is a French Canadian singer-songwriter from Mont-Laurier, Quebec, Canada.-Better in Time :...
, Our Lady PeaceOur Lady PeaceOur Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band that formed in Toronto, Ontario in 1992. Headed by lead vocalist Raine Maida since its formation, the band additionally consists of Jeremy Taggart on percussion, Duncan Coutts on bass, and Steve Mazur as lead guitarist...
, HedleyHedley (band)Hedley is a Canadian pop rock band comprising lead singer Jacob Hoggard, Tommy Mac on bass, Dave Rosin on lead guitar and Chris Crippin on drums. The current band retains the original name of Hoggard's pre-Canadian Idol group, although the membership has changed. The band originated in Abbotsford,...
, Laurence JalbertLaurence JalbertLaurence Jalbert is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter.She began her career with the band Volt in 1985. The band won CKOI-FM's L'Empire des futures stars competition in 1987. They recorded only one single, , before breaking up...
, Johanne Blouin, France D’Amour, Luce DufaultLuce DufaultLuce Dufault is a French-Canadian singer born on August 19, 1966, in Orleans, Ontario. She played in two musicals from Luc Plamondon, La Légende de Jimmy and Starmania....
, Jesse CookJesse CookJesse Cook is a Toronto-based guitarist, born in Paris to Canadian parents. Like other guitarists of his style of music, he incorporates funky jazz, latin & world music into his playing. Cook is also well known for the energy of his live shows. He has contributed to the Afro Celt Sound System album...
, Sylvain CossetteSylvain CossetteSylvain Cossette is a French-Canadian singer-songwriter from Grand-Mère, Quebec . Sylvain was a founding member of the Quebec-based English language band Paradox in 1984, before becoming a French language solo artist by 1994...
, Bruno PelletierBruno PelletierBruno Pelletier , is a francophone Quebecer singer.-Life:Pelletier was born in Charlesbourg, a suburb of Quebec City. In 1983 Pelletier performed in the bands Amanite and Sneak Preview, which sang in English. He later started a group called Pëll, singing in French. At 23 years old, he moved to...
, Dan BigrasDan BigrasDan Bigras is a francophone rock singer and actor from Canada. He was discovered by Gerry Boulet in 1983, and his first album Ange Animal was released in 1990....
and Les Cowboys FringantsLes Cowboys FringantsLes Cowboys Fringants are a popular band and cult phenomenon from Quebec, who perform Québécois néo-trad music , the band also draws on Country music. They have gained an international underground following, especially in France, French-speaking Belgium and Switzerland...
.
Other features of the festival
- Seven lift-offs by hot air balloons from every corner of the world, including several special shapes
- Four evenings of shows featuring top artists on the main stage
- Three stages with performances for families and the public at large
- Night Glow
- Pit stop with games and picnic areas
- International calibre Strength Athletes Championship
- Spectacular fireworks show
- Magic Circus
- Mini-Zoo
- The largest amusement park in the Outaouais
- Extreme sports demonstrations
- More than 300 shows and performances
- The second biggest RV gathering in Quebec
The festival is also the venue for the annual North American Strongmen Competition that features six competitors from Canada and six competitors from the United States. The competition is organized by Gatineau’s former policeman Hugo Girard who won the event several times to reach the world championship finals.