The 'Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival' is a yearly festival, held in
Gatineau,
Quebec,
Canada, and organized by the city, during which hundreds of
hot air balloons are flown. It is normally held over several days in late-August and early September during the
Labor Day Weekend.
History
Filling balloons for the festival
Balloon riding during the 2005 Festival
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 ballons. Through the following years the festival became much larger and was one of the biggest festivals in
Canada. 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,
China and the
United States.
[ History of the Festival Festival des Montgolfieres de Gatineau ]
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 Road. 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 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.
[1] 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
[2], was later honored by then-governor general
Adrienne Clarkson for bravery
[3]. 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.
[4] [5]
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 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 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.
[6] The departure of Boileau had also put the Festival's future in doubt as several of his associates also left the Festival's organization.
[7] [8]
Boileau is currently the communication director of the
Université du Québec en Outaouais
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 numbe of balloons that participated - 75 down from 125. The attendance remained steady in the post-Boileau era showing a very little if any drop attracting about 200 000 visitors and 75 balloons.
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 and Fernand Lavoie. Francois Grenier is the current general manager.
Also, well known local businessman Martin Lacasse was president for the last editions but left in April 2006. Alain Fredette became the new president in 2006.[ Finally, Yves Ducharme 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.]
Notable singing performers 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 [:]
Other features of the festival
In addition to the hot-air balloons, 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 several 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 athletes who were also competing in the Canadian Finals.
There is a mini amusement park on the site which usually attracts numerous youth people but also features rides for toddlers. There is also a mini-zoo.
References
1. Une jeune fille meurt dans une nacelle en feu
2. Jean Boileau n'aurait pas respecté les procédures de vol, affirme le BST
3. Jean Boileau reçoit la médaille de la bravoure
4. Que la Fete commence Radio Canada
5. Une 20e édition du Festival de montgolfières remplie d'émotions
6. Gatineau se défend d'avoir voulu "tasser" Jean Boileau
7. Boileau : la bataille se fait sur l'occupation de son poste
8. Le Festival de montgolfières en péril
External links
★ Official home site
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