Media advisory - Opening of the 179th edition of l'Expo de St-Hyacinthe

Come milk a mechanical cow and this Saturday, exclusively in Quebec, worldwide phenomenon Pat'Patrouille will make children happy.

SAINT-HYACINTHE, QC, July 29 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Media representatives are invited to l'Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe, the largest agricultural festival in Québec, from July 27^th to August 6^th. This event welcomes around  200 000 visitors per year.

In 2016, the traditional agricultural exposition brings back its classics and renews itself with a dozen of novelties including the exclusive presence this summer in Quebec of the phenomenon, Pat'Patrouille. In fact, this Saturday, during Télé-Québec Day and thanks to Spin Production Company, children will delighted to see their idols. L'Expo has been standing out for over 7 years as a reference in entertainment for children and especially this year with over 50 quality shows for families and its educational activities. To enhance even more the quality of its niche, l'Expo offers something new this year, free entrance to the site with access to the rides for children aged 5 years and under.

On the agricultural front, the young and young at heart will be able to milk a mechanical cow in addition to learning more about agricultural technological advances including, among others, milking robot MR-S1 from Boumatics Robotics and Leblanc Robotique, a Quebec company which stands out at the international level. Who says agriculture also says agribusiness. Did you know that in Quebec only over 21 000 meals are served on a daily basis? As part of their mission, l'Expo will offer culinary workshops where local dairy products will be showcased.  

The Strong Mean Circuit, present the best competing athletes among them Jean-François Caron, who was introduced during the opening on Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. At night, Hugo Lapointe kicked off the impressive show series which will be held every evening. There will be pop, rock, country featuring the duo of the year: 2 Frères, Gildor Roy, Annie Blanchard as well as folkloric group Les Chamaniers.

Located closed to  Montreal, l'Expo de St-Hyacinthe is presented by Desjardins . There are over 2 100 animals, Grand National Tractor Pulling, Agricultural Museum, new local products and over 100 musical shows, Provincial Hitching Contest, Strong Men Circuit, rodeos, 77 culinary workshops and so much more. 

Mrs Nicole Ménard, Liberal Member of Parliament in Laporte, President of Government Caucus and sponsor of St-Hyacinthe County, was present at the opening banquet on Thursday July 28^th.  

In an effort to be ecologically friendly and to encourage inhabitants of the Greater Montreal Region (who do not have a vehicle) to travel to Saint-Hyacinthe, CITVR (Buss 200) and the city of  Saint-Hyacinthe (Buses 50 and 70) will offer free public transportation departing from Longueuil Station this Friday July 29^th, Saturday July 30^th and Sunday July 31^st.  With its very affordable admission fee, l'Expo de St-Hyacinthe still remains the attraction of choice during the holidays in Quebec! For more information, go to: expo-agricole.com/en/

SOURCE Exposition agricole et alimentaire St-Hyacinthe

Image with caption: "Simon Giard President of l'Expo de Saint-Hyacinthe, Les Rebelles, Mollie mascot of l'Expo, Franck Balducci, chef, François Brouillard General Director, Lily, Abeille Beausoleil, Karl André Végétarian, Érik Caouette (2 Frères), Mélou and Laura Végétarian, Sonny Caouette (2 Frères), Annie Brocoli and Brimbelle during the launch of the program (CNW Group/Exposition agricole et alimentaire St-Hyacinthe)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160729_C4372_PHOTO_EN_744651.jpg

For further information: To obtain media accreditation, media representatives are invited to contact Karl André Végétarian, Communications Responsible, [email protected], Mobile: [phone]