1999
Air Canada Grand Prix Festival on Crescent Street
The first edition of the festival was an astonishing success! Thanks to Player’s and Air Canada’s support, the one-day event welcomed an amazing number of 100,000 people on Crescent Street. Montrealers met with race drivers Patrick Carpentier (five time Champ car winner), Lee Bentham (1998 Toyota Atlantic series champion) and Alex Tagliani (2004 Champ Car World Series winner)!
HIGHLIGHTS
The first edition attracted an astonishing 100,000 people to the street for its one-day festival!
Player’s Pit Stop competition
Autograph session with drivers Patrick Carpentier, Alex Tagliani and Lee Bentham
2000
Crescent Street Air Canada Grand Prix Festival Presented by Molson Dry, Sponsored by Honda
In 2000, Honda, Molson Dry and Air Canada helped make the festival a 3-day event. With 200,000 attendees on Crescent Street, the second edition was an undeniable success!
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearance: Ricardo Zonta (B.A.R., Jordan and Toyota) and Craig Pollock (Jacques Villeneuve’s manager).
Drivers signing autographs from the 1600 series
Honda charity auction for the Fondation de l’Institut de Réadaptation de Montréal
Honda / Bridgestone Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Montreal Canadians players including Stanley cup winning defenseman Patrice Brisebois and Goaltender José Théodore. Players from the first Gold medal winning Canadians women Olympic hockey team, including Kelly Bechard. Youppi mascot.
Parasuco fashion show
2002
Crescent Street Air Canada Grand Prix Festival Presented by Molson Dry, Sponsored by Honda
Attendance increased to 300,000, many came to see Jacques Villeneuve and Richard Spénard on the Molson Dry stage. People enjoyed the Gilles Villeneuve memorabilia exposition and got to see Olympic speed skating gold medalist Marc Gagnon along with other celebrities.
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: Jacques Villeneuve and Richard Spénard
Honda charity auction for the Fondation de l’Institut de réadaptation de Montréal
Gilles Villeneuve memorabilia exposition
Showcasing of a B.A.R.-Honda and a Jordan-Honda F1 cars, as well as Gilles Villeneuves’s 1974 Formula Atlantic car
Main event sponsors: Air Canada, Honda and Molson
Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge
Special guests: Multi-medal Olympian speed skater Marc Gagnon. Expos players: Mike Mordecai, Brad Wilkerson, Scott Stewart, Marc Griffin, Denis Boucher and Omar Minaya. Alouettes cheerleaders: Francine Savard, Marie Deslongchamps, Caroline Lacombe and Annie Larouche. Impact players: Nicola Corneli, Nevio Pizzolitto, Gabriel Gervais and Giuliano Oliviero. Canadian women hockey team players: Charline Labonté, Kim St-Pierre, Caroline Ouellette and Isabelle Chartrand.
2003
Crescent Street Air Canada Grand Prix Festival Presented by Bleue Dry, Sponsored by Honda
For the 5th anniversary the festival’s returning sponsors, Air Canada and Honda were joined by Labatt as a major sponsor with their Bleue Dry stage. Race fans eagerly gathered for a Question & Answer session with F1 champions Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button! The 300,000 festival visitors enjoyed live music, autograph sessions with F2000 series drivers and numerous race cars on display.
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: F1 Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button accompanied by Jacques Villeneuve’s manager Dave Richards. Formula Atlantic driver Antoine Bessette, Nascar driver Andrew Ranger and Kuno Wittmer.
Drivers of F2000 signing autographs including Ashley Taws, Christopher Guerrieri, Dan Burchill and Nick Wittmer.
Honda gives away a brand new Honda Civic SiR
Honda charity auction for the Fondation de l’Institut de Réadaptation de Montréal
Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Olympic gold medallist speed skater Marc Gagnon. Canadian women hockey players including Cathy Chartrand and Kim St-Pierre. Expos players including Denis Boucher, Ron Piche, Claude Delorme, Chad Bentz, Mitch Melrick and Mike Mordecai. Impact players including Patrick Leduc. Alouettes cheerleaders.
2004
Crescent Street Grand Prix of Canada Festival Presented by Budweiser, Sponsored by Honda
The 400,000 people who attended the festival in 2004 saw F1 driver Jenson Button’s Q&A, tested their skills at the Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge, enjoyed all the showcased vehicles and even witnessed Eddie Jordan, owner of the Jordan F1 team, play the drums with Joshua on the Budweiser stage!
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearance: F1 champion Jenson Button.
Eddie Jordan, Jordan F1 team owner, spoke and played the drums with Joshua on the Budweiser stage.
Race car Drivers signing autographs
Honda charity auction for the Fondation de l’Institut de Réadaptation de Montréal
Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Alouettes and Expos players
2005
Crescent Street Grand Prix of Canada Festival Presented by Budweiser, Sponsored by Honda
F1 champion Jenson Button, IndyCar winner Takuma Sato and the renowned Sporting Director Gil De Ferran addressed the Festival on the Budweiser stage. Many activities attracted the 420,000 visitors, including the Honda zone, modified sport cars, and even free boxing sessions featuring middleweight silver medalist Otis Grant and light heavyweight title holder, 2009-2011 Jean Pascal.
HIGHLIGHTS
Diver appearances: F1 champion Jenson Button, IndyCar winner Takuma Sato, with Sporting Director Gil De Ferran
Autograph session with F1600 series drivers including Matt Champagne, Stephen Laporte and Nick Wittmer
Groupe Yvon Michel boxing installation including middleweight silver medalist Otis Grant and light heavyweight title holder, 2009-2011 Jean Pascal
Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Montreal Impact Players, Canadian boxers including Otis Grant, Canadian Olympic swimmers, Alouettes cheerleaders, and Canadian tennis player Mélanie Marois
2006
Crescent Street Grand Prix of Canada Festival Presented by Budweiser, Sponsored by Honda
The festival attracted 420,000 visitors with live bands, the Honda Zone, F1 drivers Reubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. Sports celebrities like Stanley cup winner Marc-André Fleury, Olympic gold medalist speed skater Marc Gagnon participated in the Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge. The Budweiser stage drew a crowd to see Martin Deschamps perform live!
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: Jenson Button, Reubens Barrichello
Martin Deschamps’ performance
Groupe Yvon Michel boxing gala official weigh-in and boxing ring featuring Jean Pascal
Honda / Michelin Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Canadian boxers Jean Pascal, Patrice L’heureux, Stéphane Désormier, Phil lo Greco and Otis Grant. Short-track skaters Charles Hamelin, Eric Bédard, Mathieu Turcotte, Kalyna Roberge, François-Louis Tremblay, Anouk Leblanc-Boucher, Tanya Vincent and Jonathan Guilmette. NHL players: Marc-André Fleury, Jason Pomminville, Joel Bouchard and Emmanuel Fernandez. Other Olympians: Diver Émilie Heyman, speed skater Marc Gagnon, skier Mélanie Turgeon and cyclist Lyne Bessette.
Kärv fashion show
2007
Crescent Street Grand Prix of Canada Festival Presented by Budweiser B1, Sponsored by Honda
450,000 visitors passed through Honda’s My Earth Dream zone, where a Honda Le Mans racecar was showcased, promoting their commitment to eco-friendly production. The Budweiser B1 stage featured drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barichello as well as a performance by Quebec signer Pascale Picard. Toyota brought its party bus with special guest F1 driver Jarno Trulli, inviting people to ride around the city.
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello
Toyota party bus driving around the city with F1 driver Jarno Trulli
Pascale Picard’s performance on the Budweiser B1 stage
Groupe Yvon Michel boxing gala official weigh-in featuring Jean Pascal
2008
Crescent Street Grand Prix of Canada Festival Presented by Budweiser B1, Sponsored by Honda
The 10-year anniversary saw 500,000 attendees and returning sponsors, Honda, Labatt and Toyota. Cintron displayed cars to the Cintron Pit Lane. Toyota’s F1 driver Timo Glock rode around town in their party bus. F1 Drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello attracted race fans to the Budweiser B1 stage.
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: F1 drivers Jenson Button and Reubens Barrichello
Honda charity auction for the Clean Air Champions organization
Groupe Yvon Michel official boxing gala weigh-in and boxing ring, featuring Hermann Ngoudjo, Jean Pascal, Manolis Plaitis and Dierry Jean.
Toyota party bus driving downtown with an appearance by driver Timo Glock
2010
LG Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Budweiser 4
LG brought the Festival to a new level in 2010 as the title sponsor. Virgin sponsored the stage and entertained the 500,000 visitors with acts like Faber Drive and Bedouin Soundclash. Sir Richard Branson was interviewed by Virgin Radio and TW Steel brought F1 driver Vitaly Petrov and IndyCar driver James Hinchclife. More drivers attended, including Jacques Villeneuve, Timo Glock, Lucas Di Grassi and one of the two only drivers in the world to win races in F1, IndyCar, Nascar and World Sportscar Championship, Mario Andretti
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearances: Timo Glock, Lucas Di Grassi and Jacques Villeneuve
Special interview of Sir Richard Branson at Virgin Radio booth
Autograph sessions with drivers Vitaly Petrov, James Hinchcliffe and Mario Andretti
Performances from Bedouin Soundclash and Faber Drive on the Virgin Mobile stage
New sponsors: title sponsor LG, stage sponsor Virgin and major sponsor TW Steel
Ford Racing Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Freestyle skiers Alexandre Bilodeau, Jennifer Heil and Chloé Dufour - Lapointe. Alpine skiers Julien Cousineau and Louis-Pierre Hélie. Divers Carol-Ann Ware and Roseline Filion. Short track speed skaters François Hamelin, Charles Hamelin, François-Louis Tremblay, Valérie Maltais, Kalyna Roberge, Marianne St-Gelais and Tania Vincent. Long track speed skaters Mathieu Giroux. Synchronized swimmers Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, Chloé Isaac, Ève Lamoureux, Élise Marcotte and Tracy Little.
2011
LG Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Bud Light
At the 12th edition of the Festival, NHL player P.K. Subban entertained all at the Ford Racing Pit Stop Challenge. Glee actor Cory Montheith and Sir Richard Branson were interviewed at the Virgin Radio booth. Virgin had Fefe Dobson and Down With Webster perform on the Virgin Mobile stage. TW Steel came back with legendary F1 driver Emerson Fittipaldi and Vitaly Petrov, while Pirelli came with rally driver Ken Block. Drivers like Sakon Yamamoto, Robert Wickens, Timo Glock and Jerome d’Ambrassio helped draw the 500,000 people who attended.
HIGHLIGHTS
Diver apprearance: Rally Driver Ken Block
Special interview of Sir Richard Branson and actor Cory Montheith in Virgin Radio booth
Autograph sessions with F1 drivers Sakon Yamamoto, Timo Glock, Vitaly Petrov, Emerson Fittipaldi, Jérôme d’Ambrassio, and Indy car racer Robert Wickens.
Performance by Down With Webster and Fefe Dobson on the Virgin Mobile stage
New major sponsors: Pirelli and Pit Stop sponsor Ford.
Ford Racing Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Montreal Canadians player P.K. Subban with Youppi the mascot. Canadian women hockey players Lisa-Marie Breton-Lebreux and Jenny Lavigne. Freestyle skiers Maxime Dufour-Lapointe, Chloé Dufour-Lapointe and Justine Dufour-Lapointe. Divers Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion. Racing cyclists Guillaume Boivin and Martin Gilbert. Snowboarders Caroline Calvé and Dominique Maltais. Indy Lights race car drivers Ryen Tveter and David Ostella.
2012
LG Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Bud Light
Continuing title sponsor, LG, saw 500,000 people come to the festival while Labatt entertained them as the Bud Light stage sponsor. TW Steel had F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi give out a watch prize and with Kimi Räikönnen, sign autographs. There were plenty of cars, including two F1 racecars from Hype and Pirelli.
HIGHLIGHTS
Autograph sessions with drivers Kimi Räikönnen and Emerson Fittipaldi
Heart and Stroke Foundation Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Speed skaters Valérie Maltais and Adréa-Anh Do Duc. Swimmer Yannick Lupien, fencers Philippe Beaudry and Josef Polossifakis. Cyclists Joakim Albert, Pierrick Naud and Jordan Brochu. Women hockey player, Stephanie Denino and Montreal Alouettes player, Ramon Guzman.
2013
LG Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Bud Light
LG’s success continued as title sponsor with 500,000 people attending. Public Mobile brought Classified to the Bud Light stage. TW Steel drew crowds with Question and Answers with both Emerson Fittipaldi and David Coulthard. Dodge & SRT Viper sponsored the pit stop with driver participants like Nascar’s Isabelle Tremblay who also gave autographs.
HIGHLIGHTS
Autograph sessions with F1 drivers Emerson Fittipaldi, David Coulthard and Nascar driver Isabelle Tremblay
Classified on stage, presented by Public Mobile
New sponsors Dodge and Fiat
Dodge and SRT Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Montreal Alouettes player, Ramon Guzman, clothing designer and signer, Nadeei, Calgary Stampedes player, Marc Calixte. Juno Award nominee signer, Melanie Durrant, Halifax Mooseheads player, Zachary Fucale and freestyle skiers, JC Andre and Olivier Rochon. Nascar driver, Isabelle Tremblay. George Saint Pierre’s head coach, Feraz Zahibi, Impact soccer player, Patrice Bernier and TVA Sports host, Elizabeth Rancourt.
TruCulture Fashion show
2014
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona Extra
Corona Extra was the presenting sponsor of live bands on the Corona Extra stage. Pirelli brought female F1 driver Simona De Silvestro for autographs next to her F1 racecar. The driver appearances continued with David Coulthard and Sergio Perez answering questions and signing autographs.
HIGHLIGHTS
Driver appearance: F1 Legend David Coulthard
Autograph sessions with F1 drivers Sergio Pérez and Simona De Silvestro
Alfa Romeo 4C Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Boxer, Jean Pascal, Impact players, Patrice Bernier and Heath Pearce. Actor Jean PetitClerc. Signers Jonas and Denosh Bennett. Alouettes Alumnis Bruno Happell and Danny Desriveaux. Alouettes Cheerleaders Marie-Ève Sauvé and Annie Geneviève. Freestyle skiers Olivier Rochon and Jean-Christophe André. Swimmers Benoît Huot and Isaac Boukley. Short track speed skater François-Louis Tremblay. City councilor Steve Shanahan.
2015
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona Extra
Presented by Corona Extra and with the Shell V-Power Nitro+ Zone, the festival continued strong with 500,000 attendees, fans of Sebastian Vettel excited for his appearance along with the Ferrari F1 car. UPS hosted Sebastian Vettel opening morning at their booth for a press conference. Harley-Davidson jumped on the opportunity to announce their nationwide design winner on the Corona Extra Stage.
HIGHLIGHTS
Press conferences with driver Sebastian Vettel
Harley-Davidson’s design winner announced on the Corona Extra stage
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Divers Roseline Filion, Jennifer Abel, Pamela Ware and Meaghan Benfeito. Impact soccer players Patrice Bernier and Maxime Crépeau. Signer Jonas, actor, Jean PetitClerc, musician, Olivier from The Garlic and DJ Terry Starr. Freestyle skiers, Jean-Christophe André and Olivier Rochon.
2016
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona Extra
Corona Extra was presenting sponsor of the stage, which held nightly acts as well as the Finezza Fashion show. Shell returned with the V-Power Nitro+ zone featuring Ferrari’s F1 car.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Freddie James Project’s performance on the Corona Extra stage
Celebrities at the Abart 124 Spider Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Montreal Canadians player Mathieu Dandenault. Formula Atlantic driver Yannick Boudreau. Boxer Jean Pascal. Signers Bayla and Karl Wolf. Actors Audrey Gélinas and Pierre-Olivier Paquet. TV hosts Andy Maily-Pressoir and Geneviève Tardif. Freestyle skier Olivier Rochon.
Finezza fashion show
2017
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona Extra
The 2017 festival welcomed new Pit Stop Sponsor Degree and OB Prestige who brought the 2016 Pagani Huayra. The Williams Racing pit stop crew as well as professional boxer Adonis Stevenson tried their hands at the Degree Pit Stop Challenge. Sponsor Infinity brought racer Nicholas Latifi to greet fans and Shell V-Power Nitro+ presented Sebastian Vettel. Montreal Canadians Alumni and Assistant Coach Kirk Muller visited the new Les Sélections Fréchette booth.
HIGHLIGHTS
Williams Racing pit stop crew participating to the Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Media interview with F1 driver Sebastian Vettel at the Shell V-Power Nitro+ booth
Driver appearance: Nicholas Latifi
Extremely rare Pagani Huayra 2016 showcased
New sponsors: OB Prestige, Infiniti, BMW - Mini and Les Sélections Fréchette
Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Boxer: World Champion Adonis Stevenson. Runner: Olympic gold medalist Bruny Surin. Impact player: Ali Gerba. Signer: Elyann Quessy. TVA Sport host: Geneviève Tardif. Musicians of Neon Dreams.
TruCulture fashion show
2018
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona
2018 welcomed back many returning sponsors as well as new ones including Run 1000 Rally. Williams Racing Pit Stop crew tried the Degree pit stop challenge. The Corona Extra stage welcomed Groupe Yvon Michel weigh-in with the NABF Super welterweight champion Marie-Ève Dicaire.
HIGHLIGHTS
Williams Racing team pit stop crew participating to the Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Groupe Yvon Michel boxing gala official weigh-in featuring NABF Super welterweight champion Marie-Ève Dicaire, as well as Yamila Belen Abellaneda, Shakeel Phinn and Mirzet Bajrektarevic.
New major sponsor, Run 1000 Rally
Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Speed skater Samuel Girard and Maxime Laoun. Diver Roseline Filion. Swimmer Benoït Huot. Actors Sébastien Roberts, Jeff Boudreault and Pascal Darilus. Comedian Kevin Raphaël. Signer Karl Wolf.
Driver appearance: Jocelyn Fecteau.
Grand Sud - Les Sélections Fréchette brought Champion Mixologist Pierre Gadouas
2019
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Corona in Collaboration With Brivia Group
The 2019 edition was a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the festival, and welcomed the new Collaborating sponsor Brivia Group. The UFC multi-divison world champion Georges St-Pierre joined in the festivities, as well as the Olympic gold medalist and spokesperson of the event, Bruny Surin. Crescent Street welcomed the FELINO cB7R car. The Corona stage hosted of a Question & Answer session with driver Nicholas Latifi, invited by Degree, and many bands, such as the incredible Boogie Wonder Band.
HIGHLIGHTS
ROCKiT Williams Racing pit stop team participating in the Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Question & Answer session with driver Nicholas Latifi
Presence of the UFC multi-divison world champion Georges St-Pierre
New collaborating sponsor Brivia Group
New sponsors: FELINO, Bon Vivant & Pépito Sangria, Mott’s Clamato Caesar, Playground, XPEL, YKW Performance Wheels
Degree Pit Stop Challenge
Official weigh-in of the Série de Boxe Dooly’s édition Grand Prix, of Groupe Yvon Michel, featuring Shakeel Phinn, Wilfried Seyi and Terry Osias
Festival spokesperson Bruny Surin, Olympic gold medalist
Celebrity Pit Stop participants: Owner of Tristar Gym and head coach of Georges St-Pierre, Firas Zahabi. Top model Keith Carlos. Olympic swimmers Benoît Huot and Audrey Lacroix. Olympic diver Roseline Filion. Singers Travis Cormier and Karl Wolf.
Performance of Boogie Wonder Band.
2023
Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival Presented by Brivia Group and in collaboration with Sports Interaction Sportsbook & Casino and Jack Daniel’s
The 2023 edition marked the 22nd Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival and celebrated a new chapter under new owner-operator Rob Segal, President of TFA Inc. For the first time ever, the Festival expanded to four full days, offering free live music, immersive sponsor activations, and family-friendly entertainment in the heart of downtown Montreal. The event welcomed Brivia Group as Presenting Sponsor, alongside new sponsors including Sports Interaction Sportsbook & Casino, Charbone Hydrogen Corporation, and Dilawri Group. Jack Daniel’s brought their signature energy to the main stage with headline performances by Sam Roberts Band and Andrew Beg. The fan-favourite GameStop PlayStation Pit Stop Challenge returned with a celebrity edition featuring top athletes and entertainers from across Canada.
HIGHLIGHTS
First-ever four-day edition of the Festival
Presenting sponsor: Brivia Group
New collaborating sponsor: Sports Interaction Sportsbook & Casino
New sponsors: Charbone Hydrogen Corporation, Dilawri Group
Headline performances by Sam Roberts Band and Andrew Beg on the Jack Daniel’s Stage
Return of the GameStop PlayStation Pit Stop Challenge
Celebrity Pit Stop Challenge participants included NHL’s Max Comtois, Julian Gauthier, and Boko Imama, MLS star Patrice Bernier, CFL’s William Stanback, actors Joey Scarpellino and Patrick Abellard, and comedians like Erich Preach
Exclusive car showcase presented by Dilawri Group
Interactive sponsor activations and a wide range of food and beverage offerings for all ages
