REFRAIN

Carnaval, Mardi Gras, Carnaval A Québec c'est tout un festival Carnaval, Mardi Gras, Carnaval Chantons tous le joyeux Carnaval. 1 - A Québec ça commence royalement Par le grand et joyeux déploiement Des tambours, des trompettes, des brillants Que l;on voit dans les vrais couronnements. 2 - Des hauteurs de Québec ou Lévis En passant par Sainte-Foy ou Sillery Oubliant de la vie les soucis chacun vote pour sa reine sans répit. 3 - Nos belles filles vaillamment se disputent Le royaume de Québec et ses buttes Fin janvier on met fin à cette lutte En jouant pour l'élue de la flûte. 4 - jour de l'An, jour des Rois célébrés Un bonhomme nous arrive déguisé On lui donne de la ville toutes les clés Et on fait de son portrait un tag-day. 5 - En l'honneur du Bonhomme Carnavalb Chacun fair des tas de choses peu banales C'est ainsi que des femmes pour un bal Vieux corsets à baleines nous débullent.

6 - A Québec grandes soirées nous donnons Dans les rues en parade nous marchons Travestis dans des clubs nous dansons Fêtes de nuit sur les murs nous voyons. 7 - En tous lieux dans la neige ou la glace Les parents, les enfants mettent en place MOnuments et bonshommes à deux faces Qui font rire les passants jusqu'en mars. 8 - Qu'il s'agisse de patins ou de gourets On pratique tous les sports sans arrêt Pour les uns la raquette n'a de secrets Pour les autres c'est le ski ou le balai. 9 - Courses de chiens ou de singes ouistitis Des canots dans la glace engloutis Des coursiers en cutters mal conduits A Québec, on voit tout sapristi. 10 - Championnats ou galas de mardi gras en plein air nous prenons nos ébats Et voyons de partout le Canada Accourir pour chanter gai lon là.

Le disque de la Chanson du Carnaval (enregistrement RCA Victor, 78 rpm) est en vente chez les marchands de musique.

Paroles par Roger Vézina

Winter time means Carnival!

History: The Québec Winter Carnival started as a pre-Lenten celebration similar to Mardi Gras, when people make merry before beginning the traditional 40 days of self denial that lead up to Easter. The first carnival was held in 1894 and continued for six years until 1900. In the mid 1950's interest in this old festival was rekindled and the Québec Winter Carnival was reborn to become a major Canadian annual event and the world'w bigget winter celebration. It combines sports events, cultural events, dances, night parades, snow sculptures, traditinal events and more.

Many communities across the country stage similar mid-winter carnivals. Try one in your school - you'll be surprises at how much fun it can be.

Mascot: A central feature of the Québec Winter Carnival is Bonhomme Carnaval, a talking snowman. His arrival at Québec City each year announces that a magical time is about to begin. Your class can adopt a symbol like Bonhomme or find a giant stuffed toy to name, dress and display.

Carnival song: Write new words for a favourite tune so students will have a song to sing about their mascot on this special day. For example, to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat, students could cheerfully sing
     Winter Carnival
     It's the place to be
     Races and
     snow games and
     Sculptures and
     Hot dogs and
     Fun for you and me.

Sports: Many students already play winter sports - hockey, skating, ringette, downhill or cross country, skiing, lacrosse, etc. You can incorporate these winter sports into your winter carnival. For example, stage a hockey match between two classes, keeping any hockey superstars back as coaches, trainers, referees. (If no schoolyard rink is available, try shinny or ball hockey.) Less traditional games like broomball can add a 'sportif' flavour to the events of the day, as will foot races, skiing or snowshoes races, sliding, tag and other events requiring physical exertion. Remember, it is important to give the children a way to keep active and warm while outside!

Ice Sculptures: A common feature of many winter carnivals, most ice sculptures are large group efforts. For sculptures with a twist, try small individual ones made from water frozen in the shape of any containers at hand. Some additional ideas for shapes: rubber gloves filled with water; ballons filled and tied, then shaped using elastics; cookie moulds; muffin tins. Colour can be added to the sculptures by adding food colouring to the water before freezing.

Refreshments: Nothing beats hot apple cider - and hot dogs are welcome hand-warmers on a cold day.

Games: Any handbook of games will suggest contests that can be stages outdoors in the snow. Try some traditional ones like Fox and Geese or Frozen Tag, or, if you're lucky enough to have new fallen snow, try this delightful new one, suggested in Outrageous Outdoor Games, available from Copp Clark Pitman.

Snowball for all

The problem: To make a snowball big enough for the entire team to sit on.
Equipment: newly fallen snow/
Time: 30 minutes.
Directions: Each team begins to roll a snowball. Everyone can help as the snowball gets bigger and bigger and harder to roll.
      When the allotted time has elapsed, each team must stop rolling its snowball and carefully climb on top of it, one player at a time. A winning team must be able to stay on its snowball for 30 seconds without breaking it or falling off.