‘Des Grandes Fêtes’ Festival enriched by greater cultural content

Originally launched as The Children's Festival several years ago, the event has evolved into an important tradition, a magnificent illustration of the value placed by individuals and groups on the city's public cultural image. “We’ve come a long way since having to battle for Saint-Rose Blvd. to be closed (for the festival). We’ve now reached a point where everyone wants to be here,” says Guy Cyr, founder and president of the Musée des Enfants de Laval (Children’s Museum of Laval). Mr. Cyr, the major force behind this annual celebration of art, culture and entertainment, is producing the festival in association with the Fondation de la Maison des arts de Laval.

This original fireworks display which will be in full view over the Mille-Iles River can best be enjoyed from the ‘Berge des baigneurs’ and Marius-Dufresne Bridge’ - the best vantage points for the free show.

Italian music takes centre stage the next evening, Saturday, August 4, with the Bel Canto, La Bella Italia concert providing the sights and sounds at the giant stage in front of Saint-Rose Church. The air will begin to fill with the music of sunny Italy at 8:30 pm.

:A country-music concert by Patrick Norman, Quebec’s foremost purveyor of the lovin’ and hurtin’ kind of songs made famous by the crème de la crème of Nashville comes to the stage at 4:00 pm on Sunday. Completing the four-concert extravaganza of music will be a rock and roll performance by the Cap Show band, starting at 7:00 pm, and featuring the best of rock from the 1950s through to the 1990s.

These concerts are produced by the Musée des Enfants de Laval with artistic direction provided by the Fondation de la Maison des arts de Laval in collaboration with La Corporation de la Salle André-Mathieu, the Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, Les Productions le Diplomate, and Ville de Laval.

Admission is $10 to $15 for the OSL concert, same for the Bel Canto La Bella Italia. For Patrick Norman, tickets range from $20 to $30. The Cap Show rock and roll extravaganza can be enjoyed for $10.

"The festival's organizing committee would like to acknowledge the participation of Ville de Laval, Laval Tourism, Quebec Tourism, the Government of Quebec, IGA Quintal, Vimont Toyota, Lexus Laval, Corus, 98.5 FM, Royal Pyrotechnic, Courrier Laval, Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec, Omer de Serres and Desjardins Caisse du Nord de Laval, (in the 2007 Grande Fêtes de Ste-Rose Festival)," says Julie Labelle, coordinator of the Musée des Enfants de Laval.

For more information and ticket reservations: (450) 628-9374 or www.lavalenfete.canalblog.com

Photo: Fire 1

(Photo: Martin Alarie)

Photo: Cyr

(Photo: Martin Alarie)