Montreal kicks off 375th celebrations with Barbegazi festival

The first big event of Montreal's 375th birthday party kicked off this weekend, with theBarbegazi winter games festival.

Located on the corner of Ste-CatherineStreet and Clark Street, the free festival runs from Jan. 6-8, and Jan.13-15.

Barbegazi means "frozen beard" (from the French barbe-glace)and its activities are centered around outdoor sports and challenges, including snowskating, Christmas tree throwing and log sawing.

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The city has set aside funds for everything from lights for theJacques CartierBridge to a new downtown skating rink in honour of the anniversary.

The festivalevenfeatures a fullWipeout-style obstacle course, but with adistinctlyMontralaisflair.

Event organizer Micah Desforges says the design of the obstacle course, which includes igloos and a pine tree forest, was inspired by winter culture in Montreal.

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"I think it's a key aspect to represent the landmarks of the city because we are the 375th's first event, the Hivernale."

Desforges says that while the challenges are meant to be skill testing, any average "weekend warrior" will be able to come out on top.

The site will also hostan after-party for Igloofeston Jan. 14.