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Sainte-Rose will be putting on an expanded offering for its Sainte-Rose en blanc winter festival next month, offering a unique combination of free outdoor and indoor activities that make the most of the winter season. Beginning Saturday Feb. 2nd, stretching over three weekends, festivities will offer a look into the past while offering a creative mix of theatre, music and dance – not to mention a slew of outdoor sporting activities for all ages.
Heritage tourism
Dating back to the mid-18th century, the central old village area of Ste-Rose will be the centre of activity for those three weekends, drawing families throughout the Laval and North Shore to the region’s biggest winter festivity, which also highlights and celebrates local cultural heritage. “In Laval, our ‘old Laval’ is Ste-Rose,” local city councillor Denis Robillard proclaimed last week at the release of this year’s festivities program. “If such an event takes place here in Ste-Rose, it’s no accident,” he explained, underlining that the district has a visibly exceptional cultural heritage.
Much of the driving force behind the Ste-Rose en blanc has been to increase visibility and interest in the district as a small local tourist destination, according to Robillard. The event has appeared to have succeeded with its efforts so far: last years’ third annual event drew as many as 35,000 to village events over three weekends, while its success drew an honourable mention in the Réseau québecois de Villes et Villages en santé’s 2007 excellence awards.
Added events
This year’s fourth annual event features an expanded variety of shows and activities at four sites and three indoor venues. Opening ceremonies on Saturday at Sainte-Rose de Lima Church at the centre of the village will feature an equestrian demonstration by female side-saddle riders. Added offerings this year include family ice fishing on Mille-Iles River, an interactive wood-cutting and ice-chopping skills show, astronomy and star-gazing sessions, and what promises to be a memorable comedy improvisation at Ecole Latour, including a music show. Latour school will also host puppetry, acting, folkdancing and theatre performances and workshops, as in previous years. Guided historical walking tours, a mainstay of Ste. Rose en blanc, will be given every weekend – offering a choice of daytime or torch-lit night time strolls that explore the town’s heritage. Winter fireworks on February 9, a first for Ste. Rose, promise to be a key draw.
Winter sports
Berge des baigneurs along the Mille-Iles River will be the setting for outdoor winter sports, free for all to take part, including sleigh rides and dog sledding, winter volleyball, tobogganing, cross-country skiing and skating. On the second weekend, Feb. 9-10, ice hockey fans will have a chance to catch a Peewee hockey tournament, the first outdoor tournament organized by Hockey-Québec, on Mille-Iles River and the local rink. The tournament will host teams from eight towns throughout greater Montreal in male and female divisions, each sponsored by Best Buy stores in municipalities where the teams are located.
For a full program of Ste-Rose en blanc events and activities see www.ville.laval.qc.ca. Programs are also available at Laval libraries and municipal offices.