Crowds brave the cold weather for snowmobile freestyle show in the ByWard Market

After weather caused Barbegazi’s opening performance to be postponed, the snowmobile freestyle show kicked off in the ByWard Market. CTV’s Josh Marano reports.

Hundreds of people were outside braving the nearly -30 windchill to take in a snowmobile acrobatics show in the ByWard Market on Saturday.

Environment Canada issued a cold warning for the Ottawa area on the weekend, but that didn’t stop crowds from gathering for the Barbegazi snowmobile freestyle show.

The free event is part of this year’s Winterlude festivities, and promises to send snowmobiles soaring into the air.

“Expect a weekend with sky-high levels of adrenaline, with ice-cold freestyle snowmobile performances reaching up to 40 feet in the air,” the ByWard Market’s website says.

• Barbegazi in ByWard Market: Here’s what you need to know about the snowmobile freestyle show

Barbegazi was set to make its Ottawa debut on Friday, but the event was postponed due to weather conditions.

Micah Desforges, executive producer of Barbegazi, told CTV News Ottawa the Friday night postponement was a matter of safety.

“Last night, it was pretty crazy. We had a packed house, lots of people, but it was a storm. There was so much snow coming up and being poured down,” Desforges said. “It was a bit sketchy also, from a traction perspective.”

While the temperatures were frigid, Saturday’s afternoon show took successfully.

“It means the world to be a part of an iconic winter festival like Winterlude,” Desforges said. “As a Canadian we hear about Winterlude a lot and then to be involved in it and bring that extra energy to the mix is really special.”

Desforges says conditions are looking “really good” for Saturday’s second show, which is slated to start at 7 p.m. and promises to be even bigger than the first.

“I think tonight is going to be epic because we’ll have three riders and a bigger show,” he said. “So, I think come early. That’s my message to everyone.”

For those who can’t make tonight’s event, another show is also scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Barbegazi and the ByWard Market say schedules may vary depending on weather conditions.

With files from CTV’s Josh Marano.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App