L’International des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS ushers
in a new era:
New firms, new judging criteria, new grandstands, new nightclub, and new “stars”
Montréal, Wednesday, June 4, 2008 – Fireworks and stargazing! This
year, Québec celebrities will be out in force for the 24th edition of L’International
des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS. Among others who will be
in attendance, Gregory Charles, Sylvain Cossette, Andrée Watters, Marie-Chantal
Toupin, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Ima, Boom Desjardins, Florence K, and Mario
Pelchat have all agreed to serve as honorary host for one of the ten fireworks extravaganzas
that will be held at La Ronde between June 21 and August 6. In performing this role,
they will act as emcee during the official pre-event presentation, attend the pyromusical
display, and offer their commentary on the show during a bonus segment that will
be aired on Rythme FM, the official radio broadcaster for the competition.
The addition of these “stars” is just one of the many innovations that
are being introduced for the 24th edition of the fireworks competition. L’International
des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS is also being extended this
year. It will be presented over eight weeks instead of the usual six. Three of the
fireworks displays will be presented on Wednesdays, and seven will be presented
on Saturdays, for a total of ten. In addition, no fewer than five of the firms that
are competing this year will be representing their countries for the first time!
There will also be a brand new performance evaluation grid, and an exciting and
ephemeral discotheque.
New firms
The world’s masters of pyrotechnic artistry will descend upon Montréal
again this year. The firms representing France, Canada, Italy, the United States,
and Austria will be participating in the largest international fireworks competition
in the world for the very first time. They will compete with four other firms that
have taken centre stage in previous years, representing South Korea, Portugal, Australia,
and China. On August 6, in keeping with tradition, the series of competition shows
will be followed by an exhibition produced by the company Panzera S.A.S, under the
theme “No drums, no fanfare!”
According to Event Director Martyne Gagnon: “This year, as we approach our
quarter-century celebration, our pyrotechnics competition will feature numerous
innovations that are sure to please the Montréal audience. The fact that
more than half of the firms that are competing this year will be participating for
the first time not only guarantees the emergence of new approaches and new pyrotechnic
equipment, but also promises heightened energy. Each of these firms wants to shine,
and obviously the returning firms don’t want to be left behind,” she
added with a wink.
More great seats and more fun for more weeks!
The grandstands at La Ronde’s Place du Canada have been rearranged for the
24th edition in order to improve
visibility for all spectators, and to allow for the installation of VIP skyboxes
at the highest level, where the view promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
“This year, I am particularly proud of the reconfiguration of the new grandstands,
where spectators will enjoy a unique sound and light experience from every seat,
and will be able to see the reflection of the fireworks and colours on Lac des Dauphins”,
noted Marc Tremblay, President of La Ronde. “At the same time, we are responding
to a need that has been expressed on several occasions by installing VIP skyboxes,
which offer a view that is second to none and an unparalleled overall experience!”
Also new this year: the L’International des Feux Loto-Québec presented
by TELUS experience will be complemented by the “Boîte de nuit
du Jardin des Étoiles”, a venue that will only open its
doors on nights when the fireworks are flying. Organizers promise an electrifying
atmosphere that will rival the pyrotechnic explosions.
A public jury and a new evaluation grid
Following a selection process that was open to the public, nineteen fireworks enthusiasts
were chosen to form this year’s jury. These individuals are charged with the
enviable but important task of attending all of the fireworks presentations at La
Ronde, evaluating the performances of each competing firm, and ranking the nine
countries that are represented. Once more this year, the most coveted distinctions
in the international fireworks field are on the line: the Gold, Silver, and Bronze
Jupiter.
The members of the jury will be called upon to assess the performances based on
a new evaluation grid that includes the following five criteria: pyrotechnical components
(diversity, quality, colour), synchronization, soundtrack, technical design, and
pyromusical concept.
The new evaluation grid takes into consideration the new reality of the fireworks
competition. For example, the use of the presentation environment, including Lac
des Dauphins and its surrounding area, are now vital considerations. It also sets
guidelines for the judges and equips them with a tool that allows them to be more
precise than ever before in their marking.
The return of great value!
The public will again be invited to enter the TELUS PEOPLE’S CHOICE CONTEST
by visiting the www.telusmobilite.com/feux
or www.telumobilities.com/fireworks
website and rating each performance. Tickets for upcoming fireworks displays and
other instant prizes will be awarded, along with the grand prize of a VIP package
for the closing ceremonies on August 6.
Technical details and ticket sales
All of the performances associated with L’International des Feux Loto-Québec
presented by TELUS begin at 10:00 p.m., regardless of the weather. On evenings
when a fireworks display is scheduled, the Jacques-Cartier Bridge is closed to automobile
traffic from 8:00 p.m until after the performance. Reserved tickets can be
purchased at La Ronde on the day of the event (the entry fee includes unlimited
access to rides and attractions on the site throughout the day) or through the Admission
network via their website (www.admission.com)
or by telephone, at 514-790-1245 or 1-800-361-4595 (toll-free). For information
concerning corporate and group rates, contact the La Ronde sales office by phone,
at 514-397-7777, or by e-mail, at ventes@laronde.com.
Partners
L'International des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS would like
to extend its sincere appreciation to its valued sponsors and partners for their
immeasurable support in terms of producing and publicizing this event: title sponsor
Loto-Québec; presenter sponsor TELUS; associate sponsors ministère
du Tourisme and the SAQ; official broadcaster 105.7 Rythme FM; and partners TVA,
Le Journal de Montréal, the Marriott Château Champlain, Belle Gueule,
and Agropur Division Fromages Fins.
“Ever increasing in popularity, L’International is perfectly aligned
with the Corporation’s Les Rendez-vous Loto-Québec sponsorship program,”
underlines Mr. Pierre Bibeau, Loto-Québec’s Senior Corporate Vice-President
of Communications and Public Affairs. “The spectacular shows, offered free
of charge for the most part, bring delight to people of all ages, and we, in turn,
are delighted to be renewing our invitation to the public to come out and enjoy
these 10 wonderful evenings of glowing light and sound choreographies.”
About Six Flags: La Ronde is owned by Six Flags Inc., the largest
grouping of amusement parks in the world, operating 21 parks in the United States,
Canada, and Mexico. Six Flags Inc. is a publicly traded company (NYSE: SIX)
based in New York