May 9, 2006 – The Outdoor Festival of Montreal, Quebec’s biggest outdoor-activity and tourism event, is switching locations and will now be staged at Parc Jean-Drapeau, May 12-14,2006. The festival is the first rendezvous of the new season where active people and families can really move as they take part in one of the four-sports events, try out the new outdoor-activity products and services offered, learn the basics about the various water sports practiced on-site, plan their action-filled summer vacations and get valuable information from the approximately 160 exhibitors on hand. The festival’s overriding goal is to fight sedentary living and enable participants to discover new horizons.

Access to the festival site is free. However, there is a charge for certain activities requiring registration (the sports events and courses), as well as some attractions.

Enjoy Yourself and Get Valuable Information!

* 160 Exhibitors from which to choose your holiday destination (regional tourist associations, outfitters, etc.) or to get good advice about buying equipment (manufacturers, retailers, etc.)!
* More than 200 workshops and conferences given by specialists
* Breathtaking attractions: climbing and block wall, mountain bike test track and the Atmosphère Tyrolean traverse
* Activity demonstrations throughout the site
* Merrell walking rally: bold and dynamic!
* Free product try-outs: bikes, kayaks, canoes, etc.
* A big youth zone to initiate young ones
* The Patagonia Green Tent to energize outdoors enthusiasts!
* Presentations on tourism and major voyages
* Kayak and canoe rides in the lac des Cygnes
* The tent village: over 150 different to visit!

Big Sports Events for all Levels and Ages!

The Festival Plein Air de Montreal offers four big sports events to serve as either an initiation or a chance for you to go all-out.Activities from which to choose include the only Mini-Raid for parent-youngster pairings! Registration is now taking place and places are limited.

* CYCLO du CIRCUIT GILLES-VILLENEUVE / Sunday, May 14 (8 a.m.)
РSanctioned by the FQSC and part of Les Challenges cyclosportifs Du Qu̩bec
– A unique opportunity to ride around Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on
– A touring bike simply to get in shape or to take up the season’s first riding challenge.

* MINI-RAID MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR/ Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 (2 p.m.)
– With the support of Montrail
– An initiation to a multi-activity sports endurance test for
– Active parent-youngster pairings who really want to move! Bring your
bike; everything else is provided!

* RAID MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR / Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14 (10 a.m.)
– With the support of Montrail
– A unique and accessible multi-activity sports endurance test with a
course that will lead you to the four corners of Montreal’s islands
(île Ste-Hélène, île Notre-Dame, Nuns’ Island) and right on up to
the Old Port! On tap: a rope and nautical event, cycling, a race,
orienteering and surprise challenges!

* TRIATHLON des ILES NEW BALANCE / Saturday, May 13 (9 a.m.)
– In collaboration with Boutique Courir
– To start the season on the proper foot, the New Balance Triathlon
(swimming, cycling, running) and Duathlon (running, cycling,
running) set you on the right track. The Triathlon swimming
section will take place in the heated pool at the new aquatic complex in île Sainte-Hélène used for the FINA 2005 world championships.
РSanctioned by Triathlon Qu̩bec

Try it and You’re Sure to Take it Up !

Throughout the three-day festival, the SAIL Watersports School
will be offering initiation and skills-improvement courses in sea
kayaking, river kayaking and river canoeing in the safe environment of Parc Jean-Drapeau lac des Cygnes under the guidance of a qualified instructor.

A Site Offering a Multitude of Possibilities

Parc Jean-Drapeau is a unique nature area that offers numerous
wonderful discoveries. The festival’s exhibits and most of its
activities will be held primarily on the Île Sainte-Hélène parterre. Courses and demonstrations will also take place at the Île
Sainte-Hélène aquatic complex. Certain sports events will use the
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve and will even go from Old Montreal over
To Nuns’ Island.

The Outdoor Festival of Montreal is organised by Productions Espaces.