Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival facts for kids

The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival (French: Festival de Montgolfières de Gatineau) is an exciting yearly event held in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. It's organized by a group that doesn't aim to make a profit. During the festival, you can see amazing hot air balloons of all shapes and colors flying high! There are also over 300 shows and performances, adding up to more than 60 hours of fun. More than 200,000 people and 1,000 RVs usually come to enjoy the festival. It takes place over four days in late August and early September, usually during the Labor Day Weekend.

Hot air balloons flying over Gatineau

Festival History

Filling balloons for the festival

Balloon riding during the 2005 Festival

The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival has a rich history, starting in the late 1980s and growing into a major event.

How the Festival Began (1988-2001)

The festival began in 1988, thanks to Jean Boileau. In its first year, about 50,000 visitors came to see around 50 balloons. Over the next few years, the festival grew much larger. It became one of the biggest festivals in Canada! At one point, over 225,000 people attended, and more than 150 balloons participated. In 1998, the festival even hosted the World Hot Air Airship Championship. Sixteen teams from Europe, China, and the United States competed in this special event.

A Difficult Time (2001-2002)

On July 14, 2001, Jean Boileau, who had been the general manager since the beginning, was involved in a serious hot-air balloon accident. While trying to land, his balloon hit some power lines after a sudden gust of wind. The balloon caught fire. Jean Boileau was badly burned while trying to save his 15-year-old daughter, Julie, who was stuck in the balloon's basket. Sadly, Julie passed away instantly. Two other people were also burned.

A report later said the accident was caused by pilot error and bad weather. However, Jean Boileau was later honored for his bravery by the Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson. In 2007, a special plaque was placed at La Baie Park to remember Julie, who was known as the festival's first volunteer. A tree was also planted in her honor during the festival's 20th Anniversary, which also celebrated the festival's founder.

After this difficult event, Jean Boileau never piloted a hot-air balloon again. He also left his role as general manager of the festival. In 2003, an agreement was reached between the city and Boileau. Many of his colleagues also left the festival's organization, which made the future of the festival uncertain for a time.

Jean Boileau later served as the communication director for the City of Gatineau from October 2013 to December 2022. In March 2024, he received a Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.) from the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon. This award recognized his important role in developing the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival and its impact around the world.

Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon presents a Meritorious Service Medal (M.S.M.) to Jean Boileau during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Famous Performers and Attendance

Many well-known artists have performed at the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival since it started in 1988. Here are some highlights:

• 1988: 34,000 visitors – Show by Nuance.
• 1989: 90,000 visitors – Shows by Céline Dion and Pierre Flynn.
• 1990: 110,000 visitors – Shows by Mitsou and Paul Piché.
• 1991: 150,000 visitors – Shows by Daniel Lavoie, André-Philippe Gagnon, Marjo, and Vilain Pingouin.
• 1992: 170,000 visitors – Shows by Richard Séguin, Luc De Larochellière, Céline Dion, and Les B.B.
• 1993: 185,000 visitors – Shows by Robert Charlebois, Ginette Reno, Alannah Myles, and Julie Masse.
• 1994: 200,000 visitors – Shows by France D'Amour, Claude Dubois, Édith Butler, Gilles Vigneault, and Roch Voisine.
• 1995: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Marjo, Sonia Benezra, Mitsou, Mario Pelchat, Jim Corcoran, Sylvain Cossette, Michaël Rancourt, Éric Lapointe, and Gildor Roy.
• 1996: 225,000 visitors – Shows by Robert Charlebois, André-Philippe Gagnon, Marie Carmen, and Kevin Parent.
• 1997: 225,000 visitors – Shows by Richard Séguin, Dan Bigras, Anthony Kavanagh, Gipsy Kings, and Soul Attorneys.
• 1998: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Claude Dubois, Dubmatique, Luce Dufault, Jonny Lang, Kevin Parent, and Sylvain Cossette.
• 1999: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Dubmatique, Bruno Pelletier, Corey Hart, and Jean Leloup.
• 2000: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Zachary Richard, Marjo, Éric Lapointe, La Chicane, Pierre Lalonde, and Richard Abel.
• 2001: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Luck Mervil, Sylvain Cossette, Bruno Pelletier, Okoumé, Fernand Gignac, and Annie Brocoli.
• 2002: Shows by Alain Choquette, Gabrielle Destroismaisons, Mario Pelchat, Boom Desjardins, Richard Séguin, and Stéphane Rousseau.
• 2003: Shows by Roch Voisine, Daniel Bélanger, Bob Walsh, Lulu Hugues, Yelo Molo, and les Respectables.
• 2004: 200,000 visitors – Shows by Daniel Boucher, Nanette Workman, Marie-Chantal Toupin, Laurence Jalbert, Mélanie Renaud, Andrée Watters, Bruno Pelletier, Gino Vannelli, La Bottine Souriante, and Martin Giroux.
• 2005: Shows by Boom Desjardins, Éric Lapointe, Hugo Lapointe, Martin Deschamps, Florent Vollant, Michel Pagliaro, Marie-Chantal Toupin, Luck Mervil, Vincent Vallières, Émily Bégin, Marie-Mai, Nicola Ciccone, and the Boogie Wonder Band.
• 2006: 170,000 visitors – Shows by Simple Plan, Stéphanie Lapointe, Annie Villeneuve, Véronic DiCaire, Marjo, Garou, and les Cowboys Fringants.
• 2007: 230,000 visitors – Shows by Dan Bigras, Bruno Pelletier, Compagnie Créole, Alfa Rococo, Eva Avila, Kaïn, Lulu Hugues, Andrée Watters, Marie-Chantal Toupin, Elizabeth Blouin-Brathwaite, and Kim Richardson.
• 2008: 190,000 visitors – Shows by Finger Eleven, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Boom Desjardins, Jamil, France Maisonneuve, Xavier Caféïne, Dennis DeYoung, Pascale Picard, and Gregory Charles.
• 2009: 255,000 visitors – Shows by Mes Aïeux, Kenny Rogers, Ariane Moffatt, Marie-Mai, and Éric Lapointe. The spokesperson was Patrice Bélanger.
• 2010: 175,000 visitors – Shows by Bobby Bazini, Our Lady Peace, Hedley, Laurence Jalbert, Johanne Blouin, France D'Amour, Luce Dufault, Jesse Cook, Sylvain Cossette, Bruno Pelletier, Dan Bigras, and Les Cowboys Fringants.
• 2011: Shows by David Usher, Roger Hodgson, Marc Dupré, Véronic DiCaire, Annie Villeneuve, Roch Voisine, Les Trois Accords, and Les Respectables.
• 2012: The festival's 25th birthday! Shows by Simple Plan, KC and the Sunshine Band, Isabelle Boulay, and Éric Lapointe. There was also a reconstruction of the first hot-air balloon flight.
• 2013: Shows by Sean Paul, Mia Martina, Pirate Delsol, Garou, Daniel Lavoie, Valérie Carpentier, Mes Aïeux, Bernard Adamus, Loco Locass, and Damien Robitaille.

See also

• Hot air balloon festivals