The 27th edition of Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy started in a spectacular fashion this Wednesday July 31 as Royal Pyrotechnie presented the Grand Opening with the theme A Sky From Here, showcasing Quebec’s musical genius through the decades.
Royal Pyrotechnie presented the Grand Opening with the theme A Sky From Here, showcasing Quebec’s musical genius through the decades. Photo: Hannah Manning
The annual summer event returns with a full program of activities taking place every Wednesday and Saturday from July 31 to August 17. The fireworks launch at 9:15pm from a barge on the Ottawa River and are visible from both sides of the river (but keep in mind the temporary street closures when picking your spot!). Tickets to the official site at the Canadian Museum of History tend to sell out, so act fast to secure your spot. Looking for an alternative (free) spot to watch the show? Pick a spot with a good view of the sky above the river such as Major’s Hill Park, Parliament Hill, behind the Supreme Court of Canada, along the Rideau Canal, or on a bridge (like the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge or the Portage Bridge, but note that the Alexandra Bridge is closed during the fireworks).
Getting to the festival site early isn’t just for those looking to snap up a prime viewing spot: there are a number of family-friendly activities and great food options to explore. New this year is the “Magic Forest: Story Time,” in collaboration with Radio-Canada. Every evening at 7pm, guests are invited to gather and listen to the reading of a unique story created by the Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy team. For anyone looking to bring home some of the magic, a book is being sold as a fundraiser with a portion of the profits going to this year’s charitable cause Gîte Ami, an organization dedicated to the social reintegration of people experiencing homelessness in the Outaouais region. The book will be available at the festival site, at the Habitude Design boutique, and on Les Grands Feux website.
In addition to the best views, the on-site food makes it worthwhile to snag a ticket to the festival site. Back this year is the fan favourite fire cooking restaurant L’Incandescent. The lamb tacos topped with fire-roasted pineapple, mushroom bao, and panzanella salad were hits with our group. Someone walked by with a fully loaded hotdog that looked perfect for a hot summer night. There are four local Quebec beers on tap at L’Incandescent or canned drinks are available throughout the site. There are also low-alcohol and non-alcolohic options.
L’Incandescent, the fire pop-up restaurant featuring local chefs and flame roasted food. Photo: Hannah Manning
Local chefs are on site to prepare main courses, sides, and dessert over fire. Participating chefs include Jean-Philippe Cloutier, private chef and winner of Le Restaurant – season 2; Marie-Ève Gingras, Chef at Spa Moulin Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa; Yannick La Salle, Executive Chef at the Supreme Court of Canada; Simon Beaudry, Chef at Les Fougères; independent chefs Gyno Lefrançois and Christopher Mulder; Jasmin Fournier, Chef de cuisine at Maison Oddo; Christian Laliberté, Chef and co-owner at Coqlicorne; Erik Brooman, Chef at Soif bar à vin; Roberto Catervi, Chef/owner of Roberto Pizza Romana; and, Émile Héroux, Chef/owner of l’Orée du bois. Always looking to make an impression, new this year is the Harvest Table culinary experience. With seats for only 20 guests, limited tickets are available online.
For those looking to skip the line and get straight to the good stuff, picnic boxes are available for pre-order and easy pick-up on site. Looking to indulge? The Gourmet Evening package includes a 3-course meal served in the Café Panorama, a large windowed room inside the Museum, as well as a reserved seat on the Café Panorama’s VIP terrace. Finally, there are a number of food trucks and beverage options for purchase on-site.
Les Grands Feux are putting an emphasis on sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of the shows. There is a zero waste goal on site: you can do your part by bringing a reusable water bottle that can be filled on-site.
The event runs rain or shine and after afternoon showers on Wednesday, the sky cleared for the perfect evening to kick off the event with a bang!
The 2024 Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy fireworks take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from July 31 to August 17. Tickets to the festival site at the Canadian Museum of History (100 Laurier Street, Gatineau) are available online, including to a reduced mobility zone for those with accessibility needs. As per the FAQ car parking at the Canadian Museum of History will not be open to the public during the festival but there will be a designated bike parking area. The event is cashless: only debit and credit will be accepted. Follow Les Grands Feux du Casino Lac-Leamy on Instagram @grandsfeuxducasino for the latest updates.
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