MONTREAL – It was off to the races on Sunday afternoon.
Daniel Ricciardo was the first to cross the finish line, but the biggest winner in this year’s Grand Prix was the city of Montreal.
From fancy parties at the Ritz-Carlton to show cars on Peel street and family-friendly activities in Little Italy, there was a lot going on this year
WATCH: A quick look into one of the city’s most glitz and glam parties of the summer.
“I’m kind of sad it’s coming to an end,” said one passerby on Peel.
“It’s great I saw the one in Monte-Carlo and this one is bigger,” said another. “It’s a lot of fun, there’s a lot of noise, and it’s a lot of rush.”
The Grand Prix is also great for the economy.
On Saturday, mayor Denis Coderre announced the race would be back for the next ten years, with all three levels of government (local, provincial, and federal) contributing a total of $187 million to keep the event going.
READ MORE: Grand Prix gets 10-year extension in Montreal
“It means more jobs, it means to be on the spot, it means to be part of the major leagues,” said Coderre.
The mayor argued one needs to spend money, to make money.
It’s estimated the Grand Prix brings Montreal about $90 million each year.
Shop owners on Crescent said this year drew record-breaking crowds.
“I”ve never seen that many people in one spot at a time, in all of my fifteen years of doing this event,” said Brian Fogt, founder of the Grand Prix festival of Crescent Street.
“It was incredible,” he said.
It’s not just bars and restaurants that did well.
The hotel association of the Greater Montreal said on Saturday, 91% of rooms in Montreal hotels were booked, going for an average of $337 per night.
According to business owners, that money then trickles down to Montrealers.
“Just Crescent street itself employs 500 people,” said Fogt. “Marketing, security, stage handlers, backstage people…”
Fogt said the city’s ten year commitment will only help the Grand Prix grow, and keep Montreal in the winner’s circle.
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