The Comité des Fêtes du 150e de Saint-Lazare unveiled its program of activities for Saint-Lazare's 150th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday afternoon, August 14. Four major celebrations will take place over the course of the year, one for each season, with over 50 distinct activities, 90% of which are free.

The largest giant kite festival, a field hockey match with former Canadiens, an unprecedented historical show, a supper in the park where over 500 guests will share a large table, the largest parade in Saint-Lazare's history and a wacky bed race on Red Bull ice are just some of the activities on the menu.

Two honorary co-presidents for the festivities 

“Considering the scope of our programming, we have decided to call on not one, but two honorary co-presidents to support and encourage us throughout the year. The first honorary co-president is Nathalie Gravel, a woman well known in our community for her many years of dedicated involvement in a number of causes and organizations, including the Club Optimiste de Saint- Lazare and the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk. The second honorary co-president, Sylvain Ménard, is also a Saint-Lazare native and has left his mark on our municipality in many ways, not only with his great generosity and loyalty to the community, but also thanks to his role as a building contractor, many of our homes were built by his own hands,” revealed Paul Lavigne, president of the Saint-Lazare 150th anniversary committee.  

Four not-to-be-missed events 

The celebrations kick off with a winter party from February 14 to 16, 2025, featuring the return of a classic field hockey game between the Saint-Lazare Stars and the former Montreal Canadiens. All this will be preceded by a legendary tailgate BBQ in the parking lot, where fun and camaraderie will be the order of the day. In the evening, participants will head to Parc Nature les Forestiers de Saint-Lazare, where a wide range of activities await them.

The following day will feature a sugar shack brunch, sleigh rides in the woods, retro snowmobile displays, games and workshops for kids, and a wacky “Red Bull”-style race on the nature park's ice ring, where disguised teams will have to push a bed, built in an original way, around the ring. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest, best costumes and most beautiful bed.

In the spring of 2025, three activities will enhance the weekends. On May 24, Saint-Lazare will host the largest gathering of giant kite flyers in southern Quebec. More than 25 of these wind enthusiasts with their large kites will be at Saint-Lazare airport to showcase their masterpieces in action. A hearty aviator's brunch will be offered, as well as kite-making workshops for children, two hot-air balloons, continuous music and entertainment. 

On June 7 and 21, neighbourhood parties will be held in Grand Pré and Saddlebrook parks, one with a family theme, the other with a circus theme. Performers, music, entertainment and barbecues will be on offer, not to mention a number of surprises.

During the summer festival, from August 22 to 24, the committee's programming will be twinned with that of Festi-Ouest 2025, and three marquee events will be presented over the weekend, including an incredible historical show on the big stage celebrating Saint-Lazare's 150th anniversary.

On Saturday evening, a “bal en blanc”-style supper in the park will be held, where the entire population is invited to share a meal with friends, neighbors or family. Over 500 guests will be invited to the park, where tables lined with white tablecloths will await them. Entertainment, live music and enchanting decorations will enliven the evening.

Finally, on Sunday morning, the 150th anniversary parade will take to the streets. The biggest parade ever seen in Saint-Lazare will bring together associations, merchants, builders, pioneers and founding families of Saint-Lazare in a colorful and nostalgic parade. There will also be plenty of surprises for young and old alike. 

To round off the activities surrounding Saint-Lazare's 150th anniversary, the Fall Celebration will be held on September 27, 2025, to pay tribute to Saint-Lazare's most important builders. An evening of memories, anecdotes and historical facts. Other surprises are also planned for this historic day.

A commemorative beer 

At all costs, the committee wants to promote Saint-Lazare and Vaudreuil-Soulanges businesses. To date, three partnerships have been formed to this end. The first is with Distillerie 3 Lacs of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, whose alcohol and ready-to-drink products will be available at every event throughout the year.

An agreement has also been signed with Vignoble Le Bourg des Cèdres, and participants in the above-mentioned events will be able to taste a selection of white, red and rosé wines. 

Finally, a commemorative 150th beer, brewed by Vaudreuil-Dorion's Trois Lacs microbrewery, will also be on offer. Its label is a work of art by Saint-Lazare artist Jacinthe Durant. It will be available only at the Festi-Ouest celebration from August 23 to 25, before being distributed in local grocery stores and restaurants from early December 2024.

Please note that the Comité des Fêtes du 150e de Saint-Lazare is a non-profit organization, formed in 2023, with a mandate to develop, organize, finance and present all activities surrounding the festivities commemorating the 150th anniversary of the municipality of Saint-Lazare, celebrated until the end of 2025.