Crescent Street kicks off summer season with the 19th edition ofthe Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival

MONTREAL, May 24, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Music performances, pit stop contest and lavish cars are the backbone of the Festival Grand Prix on Crescent Street presented by Corona, as the uncontested kick-off of the summer season returns for its 19^th edition in downtown Montreal, June 7, 8 and 9. 

"As the oldest motorsport related summer festival in town, attracting more than 6 million visitors on Crescent Street throughout its 19 editions, we are proud to officially launch Montreal's summer activities!", declared Brian Fogt, President of BBF Promotions & Events. "Every year, we aim to introduce people to this multifaceted event and deliver excitement and entertainment all weekend long, Montreal style."

Key feature to the Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival is definitely the participation of the presenting sponsor Labatt and its Corona stage at the corner of de Maisonneuve Blvd. and Crescent Street, with DJs and bands performing live throughout each day at the Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival.

Visitors will not want to miss the Degree® Pit Stop Challenge. The Celebrity Challenge kicks off the festival Thursday at 1:00 PM, where high profile athletes, Olympians, comedians and TV personalities test their tire changing skills. The Media Challenge follows it at 4:30 PM and then the stage stays open all weekend for visitors to experience the thrill of using the drill, in an exciting face-to-face challenge, like a real pit stop crew. While waiting for their turn on stage, visitors can check out the MotionSensetm Slot Car Track. Childhood and racing nostalgia foster competition as riders sweat it out to win some amazing Williams Racing Prizes.

The Festival is proud to welcome to this year's edition, the Run 1000 Rally featuring four of the participants' luxury cars, such as a Lamborghini Aventador, during the 3-day Festival as well as a "Show 'n Shine" on Crescent Street, June the 10^th, beginning at 10 AM.

This year, Kanetix is returning to Crescent Street with the intent to bring back lost sensations: the feeling of racing head-to-head on four retro arcade racing games, promising some interesting inter generational challenges, with their Kanetix Retro Racing Zone.

Also new this year, is the presence of The Bugatti Group; the exclusive Global Licensee of the Céline Dion Collection line of handbags, luggage and small leather goods, which will add a touch of fashion to the street. The owners of the Bugatti Group Mr Hattem and Bishara, as well as Céline Dion Global Brand Manager Ms Johanne Boivin will be attending on Thursday for the official opening ceremony.

Les Sélections Fréchette, a Montreal-based wine distributor, will have a mixologist and a sommelier on the spot to introduce festival goers to new wine-based drinks and wine tasting seminars.

RPM Experience will also be bringing their Lamborghini and McLaren cars.

NY Race Complex, a United-States based karting race complex, will be displaying some of its go karts and presents its race track. They represent grassroots racing, from which most of the F1 drivers started their careers and love of the sport.

"The contribution of the Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival presented by Corona has had an undeniable impact on the image of Montreal throughout the world and furthermore, on the downtown economy over its 19 seasons," said Steve Siozios, President of the Crescent Street Merchants Association. "The festival has been a driving force behind the successes of many of our members' bars and restaurants on Crescent and it continues to draw over 500,000 festival goers, year after year".

On the June 7-8-9, festival crowds will dance to the tunes of Body Groove, Freddie James Project and SOLID HITS - their first ever performance on Crescent Street. Montreal's best DJs will show off their creative talents as they warm up the crowds at the Corona stage. Among these fan favourites is, born and raised Montrealer, DJ ShortCut. See the full schedule here.

Celebrity Pit Stop Challenge, 1 P.M. Thursday on Crescent St.:
-Denis Fortin (Radio host)
-Lauriane Rougeau (Olympic hockey team 2014, 2018)
-Patrice Bernier (Former Montreal Impact captain)
-Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal Impact player)
-Adonis Stevenson (WBC champion)
-Olivier Rochon (5^th in freestyle skiing at the 2018 Olympics)
-Pascal Darilus (TVA actor)
-Jeff Boudreault (TVA actor and commentator)
-Roseline Filion (Former Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016) and host on Vrak TV)
-Kevin Raphael (Comedian and host on Vrak TV)
-Samuel Girard (Gold medal speed skating, 2018 Olympics)
-Laurie Blouin (Silver medal slopestyle, 2018 Olympics)
-Jocelyn Fecteau (NASCAR driver)

SOURCE Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival