Downtown Montreal has officially shifted into Grand Prix mode, with Peel Street already packed ahead of one of the city’s busiest weekends of the year.
From exotic cars and crowded terraces to fans wearing their favourite team and driver merchandise, businesses say they are preparing for a major influx of visitors as hundreds of thousands descend on the city for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix.
“For us, this weekend is the big cake,” said Alain Creton, owner of Chez Alexandre and president of the Peel Street Merchants Association. “Formula One is very important. But this year, the big cake is the Montreal Canadiens, and the little cherry on top is the Grand Prix.”
“It’s been incredible seeing everybody come into town,” said Joey Robb, co-owner of Peel Pub. “The city is filling up. It’s great for business and now that we’ve reopened, it’s been really good for us.”
Fans from across Canada and around the world are flocking to Montreal, which many describe as one of the top stops on the Formula 1 calendar.
“This is the most exciting Grand Prix in the world all season,” said Antonio Imbert, a visiting F1 fan from Punta Cana. “I love Montreal.”
Another fan said the event carries personal meaning.
“I was actually named after Gilles Villeneuve, so it’s a very wholesome moment for me to be here this week,” said Gilles who arrived from Vancouver Friday morning.
Juliana, another fan visiting the city, said the excitement is impossible to miss.
“You see people everywhere wearing Formula 1 gear,” she said. “On every train, there are hundreds of people wearing something related to F1. It’s really exciting.”
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Creton said the economic impact stretches well beyond Peel Street.
“We receive people from all over the world,” he said. “Not only on Peel Street, but in Old Montreal, Crescent Street, Saint-Laurent and Griffintown.”
The Canadian Grand Prix is not the only event driving crowds this weekend.
After a dominant 6-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 on Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens will try to carry that momentum into Saturday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final.
“It’s buzzing with activity,” said Gilles Dubertrand. “It’s pleasant to walk around and see all these events happening.”
“Nobody expected the 6-2 win, but it happened,” said Canadiens fan Gabriel Saad. “I think it’s going to be like that for the whole series. I’m thrilled.”
“Go, Habs, Go!” said six-year-old Mason wearing a Habs jersey outside the Bell Centre, he called the team magical.
Even with the Canadiens playing on the road, bars and restaurants across Montreal are expecting packed crowds throughout the weekend as fans gather to watch the game and take in the Grand Prix atmosphere.
“One week like this is like one month of business,” said Creton.
“We’re just happy to see all the bars thriving,” Robb added. “That’s what we want.”
