MONTRÉAL, Sept. 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - As night falls on Saturday, September 16, various heritage buildings and other sites will come to life on boulevard Saint-Joseph, along a lantern-guided tour conducted by actors and extras—most of them Lachine residents—relating the establishment and history of Lachine and Montréal. Historical immersion for the whole family and a unique night experience in the area surrounding the spectacular lac Saint-Louis. This local event is part of the official program of Montréal's 375th anniversary and has benefited from the financial support of Ville de Montréal and the Québec government.
"The first suburb established on the island of Montréal, Lachine is blessed with an inestimable wealth of history, heritage and culture. You will discover an outstanding site, as it appeared to the first colonists, who made it an ideal place for fur trading, because of its location just up from the rapids. This year, we are celebrating Montréal's 375th anniversary as well as Lachine's 350th and we are inviting residents and visitors to get together and commemorate our fascinating history, which deserves to be recounted and shared," emphasized Claude Dauphin, Mayor of the Borough of Lachine.
Starting at 5 p.m., there will be music and entertainment, booths and a free workshop to make fur pompoms as well as lanterns for sale and other activities to delight kids and grown-ups at écluse no 5 (lock #5 at 500 chemin des Iroquois), the point of departure and registration for the guided tour.
The route includes some fifteen stations at various heritage buildings and other sites in Lachine that are located between 6e and 15e Avenue, where the stage will be set for many characters to come back to life in a flash: the presence of North American Indians, the fur trade, the construction of the Lachine canal, Dawes Brewery, Le Heney's Inn and more...
So many places, actions and facts that have today become the very foundations of Lachine society. You will undoubtedly enjoy not only meeting Cavelier de LaSalle and François Dollier de Casson, as they entertain you with a few anecdotes from the beginnings of the colony, but also listening in on the heated encounter between parish priest Piché and Esther Blondin, as they "cross swords"! Have fun, as well, taking part in the hunt for historical clues that are bound to please the most curious minds.
"For all of us Montrealers, 2017 is a chance to reappropriate our history. It is therefore a unique opportunity for Lachine residents to discover or rediscover their history and the people who contributed, over 300 years ago, toward shaping their living environment of today. It is the beginnings of Montréal and the colony that they will discover," stated Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal.
"Les Nocturnes historiques, this Historical Night event, will give the general public a chance to discover the major contribution made by Lachine's inhabitants toward the development of Greater Montréal. This family activity highlights our collective heritage through portrayals of places and figures of historical significance," pointed out François Ouimet, MNA for Marquette, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, the Québec government's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region.
This event is being presented by the Corporation du Pôle des Rapides, in conjunction with Les Productions Multisens, within the On se voisine à Lachine project. The Corporation du Pôle des Rapides is a non-profit organization that has been put in charge of organizing and coordinating the 2017 festivities for Lachine's 350th anniversary. Further details of Lachine's 350th anniversary celebrations may be found at: www.350Lachine.com/en/ and www.facebook.com/350lachine
About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization in charge of organizing the festivities and socio-economic contributions that will mark Montréal's 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on highlighting Montréal expertise, this Society serves as a catalyst to fulfill its mandate: to mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, strictly manage funding, develop quality programs and promote the festivities.
The Society is supported by Ville de Montréal, the Government of Québec and the private funding of twelve Great Montrealers. For more information: 375mtl.com.
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For more information on the Québec government's contribution to Montréal's 375th anniversary, click here.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Lachine
Nathalie Roberge, chargée de communication, Arrondissement de Lachine, 514 634-3471, poste 266, 514 261-8355, [email protected]; Société du 375e, Isabelle Pelletier, 514 238-4178, [email protected]
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