A Fantasy Weekend–Long Success
Overview of the Weekend's Events
This past Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at the Loto-Québec-sponsored event, The Grand Masquerade, thousands of Halloween fans flocked to the Quays of the Old Port and Old Montreal for some great chills & thrills. This carnival of fantasy, brainchild of Productions L’Entracte, working in close conjunction with Concept Fiatlux, gathered a crowd of over 80,000 spectators. Among them, special guest Kane Hodder, well-known American actor & stuntman, otherwise known as Jason from Friday the 13th film series. We would also like to mention that actor and singer Annie Dufresne has played an important role in hosting the Balls and the Parade.
In it’s fourth edition, The Grand Masquerade provided a great range of predominantly free, outdoor entertainment. Tens of thousands of people attended the Rendez-vous of fantasy and imaginary arts and crafts to meet the 25 specialist exhibitors from various fields and explore their wares & know-how. The musical entertainer MALÉFIK certainly attracted quite a crowd at his three pyrotechnics shows spread over the weekend.
Dame Violette’s Halloween Parade, courtesy of Loto-Québec, took to the streets once again last Saturday evening, with over 250 performers, including around fifty musicians bringing Notre-Dame Street to life in a vibrant display.
The Mini-Masquerade was a great new addition this year, gathering the littlest of Halloween fans and their families for some Sunday afternoon entertainment, such as craft sessions, various shows & guided workshops on site, and the Children’s Parade which drew over 300 little people all dressed-up to march down the street. The Mini-Masquerade certainly brought a few smiles to faces!
A Popular New Addition
To celebrate Halloween itself on the Wednesday night, The Grand Masquerade organized the greatest & grandest theatrical event circuit in Montreal. As of 7:30 p.m., the general public was invited to join in The Ghost Hunt– Samhain’s Night Edition, an event prepared in conjunction with Old Montreal Ghosts. In this uniquely creative event, booked out well in advance, over fifteen criminals, sorcerers and unknown entities took over the streets of Old Montreal to tell their sordid stories, misadventures and secrets… over 300 participants meandered through the streets, armed with nothing but maps, seeking out the historical figures that still haunt the area today. A successful premiere !
Photo credits : Federico Ciminari, Victor Diaz Lamich and Claude Poulin.