It was this weekend, February 15 and 16, that the Comité des Fêtes du 150e de Saint-Lazare held its first festive activities. Despite the vagaries of the weather, citizens responded in large numbers to the invitations of the volunteer citizens' group in charge of celebrating this historic moment for the Town of Saint-Lazare. 

On Saturday February 15, field hockey fans gathered at the Complexe sportif Saint-Lazare, where the Anciens Canadiens took on the Saint-Lazare Stars in the afternoon. It was the wearers of the blue-white-and-red jersey who emerged victorious from this friendly contest with a 10-6 win. 

Before the game, a BBQ was held outside the arena. The event was attended by political dignitaries, including Saint-Lazare mayor Geneviève Lachance and Vaudreuil-Soulanges MP Peter Schiefke, as well as citizens. Former Sainte-Flanelle number 27 Gilbert Delorme also attended the event. 

The following day, Sunday February 16, the festivities moved to Parc Nature Les Forestiers, where a bed race and antique snowmobile exhibition took place. The winter storm outside didn't dampen the enthusiasm of participants, according to Paul Lavigne, president of the Comité des Fêtes du 150e de Saint-Lazare.  

“The weather didn't help, but all the teams registered for the bed race turned up and had a great time. The snowmobile trails, on the other hand, were very snowy and not very rideable, but a good thirty antique snowmobiles braved the conditions to be there. The 6 highly motivated and enthusiastic teams took part in the bed race, the first of its kind in North America,” he says. 

The teams who managed to take top honors were: Distillerie 3 Lacs, who took the Saint-Lazare Cup. The team was closely followed by Robert Daoust et Fils. Third place went to the Ville de Saint-Lazare recreation team. The Remorquage Saint-Lazare team won for the most beautiful bed, while Source d'Entraide took the prize for the most beautiful costume.

The day after the festive weekend, Mr. Lavigne gives a positive assessment of the event, despite the cold weather and snowfalls. 

“It was a success all round. The pre-game BBQ on Saturday was very well attended, and the fun-filled field hockey game was sold out. Despite the weather on Sunday, people loved the program, which they found original and innovative. Everyone is really looking forward to the next activities,” he confides.  

On May 24, interested parties will be able to attend the Fête des vents at Saint-Lazare airport. The event will feature the largest giant kite flyers in Quebec and Ontario in a breathtakingly magical show. These masters of the wind and their twenty or so astronomically-sized kites will blow visitors away.

Two hot-air balloons will also be on hand, offering young and old alike the chance to climb up to 50 feet and admire the scenery from above.