 Filling balloons for the festival The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival is a yearly festival, held in Gatineau, Quebec and organized by the city, during which hundreds of hot air balloons are flown. It is normally held over several days in early September. Download high resolution version (1237x747, 70 KB)filling balloons with hot air during the annual festival in Gatineau Quebec This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Download high resolution version (1237x747, 70 KB)filling balloons with hot air during the annual festival in Gatineau Quebec This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ...
Motto: Ursus super montem ivit Area: 342. ...
Hot air balloons are the oldest successful human flight technology, dating back to the Montgolfier brothers invention in Annonay, France in 1783. ...
History The festival was originally held in 1901 to celebrate the first Hot Air Balloon Race launched from Gatineau. The race had been sponsored by Dr. Charles J. Flaxenberg PhD.
However, the current festival started in 1988 by Jean Boileau. Through the following years the festival became much larger and was one of the biggest festivals in Canada. Attendance at one point reached over 200,000 and had over 125 ballons.
However, while it had continous growth over the years, in 2001 was the year that had transformed somewhat the festival.
On July 14th 2001, Boileau who was the general manager since its beginning was involved in a horrific hot-air ballon accident just east of the Ottawa International Airport. The ballon while trying to land in an open field struck some electrical wires after a sudden wind gust. It suddenly engulfed in flames. Boileau sustained multiple burns while trying to rescue his 15 year-old daugther who was trapped inside the balloon's basket. Unfortunately, the rescue effort failed as the girl died instently while two other persons also sustained burns. Boileau, despite the fact that a subsequent Transport Canada report which mention that the accident was caused by a pilot error, was later honored by then-governor general Adrienne Clarkson for bravery. After that event, he never piloted an hot-air ballon and left his general manager spot of the Festival afterwards - some speculations were that the new city of Gatineau administration tryied to force him out of the job by offering a spot for the City. Adrienne Louise Clarkson (Chinese: ä¼å†°æž; Hanyu Pinyin: , Hakka: Ńg Pên-kî), PC, CC, CMM, COM, CD, LL.D (born February 10, 1939) is an accomplished Canadian journalist. ...
In 2002, the new city of Gatineau was formed and immediately it annonced changes which included a new logo and also a lot less ballons for the festival - 75 down from 125. Still the attendance was fairly solid in the post-Boileau era showing a very little if any drop.
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 Diane Chevrier and Daniel Simoncic. Well known local buisnessman Martin Lacasse was president for the last editions but left in April 2006.
Other features of the festival In addition to the hot-air ballons, there are also numerous concerts of all sorts, the biggest being the evening concert set in the main stage. Big names including Celine Dion attracted seeveral tens of thousands of people.
During the festival there is also the Canadian Finals for the Strongest Man Competition. Gatineau's own and former policeman Hugo Girard won the event several times in order to reach the world championship finals. There are also several other local atheletes who were also competing in the Canadian Finals. For the band, see The Police. ...
There is a mini amusement park on the site which usally attracts numerous youth people but also features rides for toddlers. There is also a mini-zoo. Amusement park is the more generic term for a collection of rides and other entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a fairly large group of people. ...
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