Barbegazi is revving into Ottawa’s Winterlude for the first time, turning the downtown core into a high-speed playground — though slightly later than expected. The high-adrenaline snowmobile show will see extreme athletes defying gravity with stunts and jaw-dropping tricks in the ByWard Market throughout the weekend. The first event was slated for Friday evening, while crowds gathered outside to take in the free event, it was ultimately postponed due to weather. On Saturday and Sunday, the ByWard Market is still set to transform into a high-octane winter sports arena. ‘It’s going to be nuts’ Christian Martinez, MC for Barbegazi, says the event will dazzle in the capital. “Ottawa is going to be sick. For the first time jumping snowmobiles, downtown Ottawa, the country’s capital. It’s going to be nuts,” exclaims Martinez. Martinez is a motorcross rider and says the jumps the snowboarding athletes perform are similar stunts he has done throughout his career. Now, he’s part of the crew that helps set up each event as the show travels from city to city. “I brought a big airbag landing, so we’re going set up that landing over there. The (riders) are jumping like 72 feet from the top of the ramp to the top of the landing,” explains Martinez. “When these guys start backflipping these sleds, it’s just nuts!” York Street is closed from Sussex Drive to William Street to accommodate the impressive Barbegazi stage. This is the first time the event has been part of Ottawa’s Winterlude. “That’s the beautiful part,” says Micah Desforges, executive producer of Barbegazi. “I really like seeing magic in the eyes of people. Freestyle snowmobile riders soar in the travelling up to 75 feet. We are bringing the sprit of the mountains to an urban setting. Over the weekend, the snowmobile athletes spend time mingling with fans and participate in five adrenaline-pumping shows. “A lot of people are curious. They don’t know what to expect, but it’s loud,” explains Desforges. “You’ve got the engines that are revving, then you have the jumps. Every time I see the jumps I still have goosebumps…it’s truly unique. It’s worth seeing in person.” ‘Never seen anything like this in Ottawa’ The free event is made possible thanks to the ByWard Market District Authority and Ottawa Tourism. “I’ve personally never seen anything like this in Ottawa!” says Jérôme Miousse, director of public affairs at Ottawa Tourism. “We want residents to enjoy (Winterlude) and to enjoy it so much that they talk about it to their friends and family outside of town, so that these potential visitors make the decision to come to Ottawa for Winterlude and for events like Barbegazi.” The high-flying spectacle is just one of many Winterlude events happening in the ByWard Market over the weekend. “We have the two curling alleys on William Street that people can go grab the rocks and just practice,” says Nathalie Lavergne, tourism destination lead with the ByWard Market District Authority. “There’s also the snow suit contest Saturday night. Come by the stage at Barbegazi, dress up with your most colorful snowmobile suit and win a prize,” says Lavergne. There will also be a friendly cook-off featuring some of the ByWard Market’s favourite restaurants. “It’s a fundraiser,” explains Lavergne. “It’s $15, you get your passport, and you can try up to nine different stews from different restaurants. It’s amazing and the best stew in town, is going to win a trophy.” On Saturday, Barbegazi runs from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the event is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
