No more balance sheets and new resolutions. It was a festive evening in front of the National Assembly and on Place George-V, a few steps from the Château Laurier.
It must be said that the ice and rain which had settled in the capital for several days gave way to mild weather. Enough to allow the crowd to clap their hands… and without a mitten! A few courageous festival-goers even had the audacity to leave their coats in the cloakroom.
Some intrepid festival-goers faced the winter in sports tanks. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
At first glance, we can say that several thousand people gathered at the Toboggan festival to celebrate the New Year. The influx of passers-by was also felt in several businesses on Grande-Allée. The employees said it without hesitation: the pace of customers was much more sustained than during the 2023 festivities.
The traders had no reason to hesitate: the lines at their stands were much longer than during the 2023 edition of the Toboggan festival. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Whether they were with family, couples, friends, with the dog on a leash or the children, comfortably seated in their carts and strollers, festival-goers spread their contagious energy throughout the event sites.
All in music
This was to be expected: the atmosphere was however very different between the two scenes.
Enhanced this year, the traditional music offering delighted the spectators gathered around the Tourny fountain.
After BoBo Ono and Quimorucru, Kaïn was notably welcomed by a compact crowd in front of the National Assembly. The group belted out their biggest hits from the start, asking the audience to sing along with them Mexico, Get on board my dear, Adam and Eveetc.
Kaïn was eagerly awaited at the Place de l’Assemble-Nationale, from his first songs. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
A little later, it only took a few minutes for the sound of the violin, the accordion and the other instruments of La Bottine Souriante to have their effect. Young and old then warmed up by dancing arm in arm. And this, even on the rhythm of the group’s new songs that we find on the album Domino!an opus that won a Félix at the last ADISQ gala.
With its festive instruments, La Bottine Souriante delighted many festival-goers who danced to the rhythm of its songs. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
Although just as festive, the atmosphere on Place George V was very different with the rhythm of electro music. After Freak On and Surf Mesa, the highly anticipated MATTN made its debut at Toboggan. Welcomed by a very compact crowd, where it was difficult to move, the Belgian DJ was applauded by many fans ready to party.
Present throughout the evening, security and members of the “Brigade” squad were present at each entrance to the different sites. Between the concrete blocks and the police vehicles, a truck was parked at the entrance to the Plains of Abraham.
Safety was essential during the 2024 festivities in Old Quebec. Many heavy vehicles were parked at the entrances to the various sites. (Caroline Grégoire/The Sun)
