Cascades reveals its 50th Anniversary Activities Schedule

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Brothers Bernard, Laurent and Alain Lemaire, founders of Cascades, and Mario Plourde, current President and Chief Executive Officer, revealed the broad outline of the Company's 50th anniversary festivities today during a press conference. They also invited the general public to learn more about the various activities planned for this momentous celebration, which will extend to all of the Company's units and their respective regions.

"In 1964, we brought the old Dominion Paper Co. mill back to life with help from the community. At the time, we had little idea that our bold gamble would transform into a grand adventure that would stand the test of time and take us around the world. Now, 50 years later, we are celebrating our economic, environmental and social success through numerous activities that will remind us just how far we have come," explained Bernard Lemaire.

On March 26, 2014, Cascades' official birthday, all of the Company's one hundred or so units will be invited to celebrate the historic event with their employees. A morning ceremony will take place in Kingsey Falls at the very first Cascades mill to highlight its half century of existence. In the evening, the Lemaire brothers will pay tribute to all of the Company's Builders. Customers, suppliers, financial partners and the mill's original employees will be invited to a gala in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Cascades' success.

"We owe this success to the men and women who believed in Cascades and in us. Indeed, this is why we are so proud to have been able to arrange certain activities in celebration of our 50th anniversary; activities that will really let our region shine," said Laurent Lemaire.

This summer, Kingsey Falls will be host to a wealth of events. The Boréalis museum (interpretation centre on the history of the paper industry) in Trois-Rivières will present the Generations exhibition, featuring the great families of Québec's paper industry. The Collection Loto-Québec will make a stop in Kingsey Falls, where it will present an exclusive exhibit highlighting paper through the artistic creation Support papier. Other activities will take place throughout the summer season, including an open house at the Cascades units, and performances in Parc Bernard-Lemaire.

In 2013, as a means of thanking the community for their support from the very beginning, the Lemaire brothers announced the construction of a new footbridge made of recycled materials and used paper machine parts spanning the Nicolet River. Both artistic and practical, the footbridge is symbolic of the rich past and promising future of Cascades and Kingsey Falls, and will connect the municipal park with Parc Marie-Victorin and its larger-than-life attractions. The footbridge will be inaugurated on May 8, the same day as the annual general meeting of Cascades shareholders, also being held in Kingsey Falls.

"If there is one thing we are proud of, it is that our company is in good health and has a promising future. We hope that the past five decades have served to lay a solid foundation on which we will continue to build into the future," added Alain Lemaire.

A number of partners will also pay tribute to the Lemaire brothers and celebrate their accomplishments. On April 16, the Fondation de l'entrepreneurship will hold a gala for the three founders, where they will be honoured by the Québec business community. The City of Kingsey Falls, students from La Cascatelle elementary school, Vélo-Québec and many others will take turns organizing events and activities commemorating the founding of Cascades. The local microbrewery the Hermite will even brew a 50th anniversary beer!

"The 50th anniversary of the founding of Cascades gives us the opportunity to revisit and celebrate our history and that of the Lemaire brothers. Bernard, Laurent and Alain Lemaire are giants on the Québec business scene and in sustainable development, and we are their heirs. It falls upon us to continue building on this legacy and to carry Cascades into the future. I hope that many Quebecers will take advantage of the festivities to discover or re-discover Cascades, its rich history, its remarkable men and its promising future," concluded Mario Plourde.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibres. The Company employs more than 12 000 employees, who work in over 100 production units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to deliver the innovative products that customers have come to rely on. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.

Cascades' 50th Anniversary Activities Schedule

March 26, 2014 
Official launch of festivities in all Cascades units and an evening honouring our Builders
On March 26, Cascades' official birthday, we will launch festivities in all Cascades units worldwide, and host an evening honouring our Builders, giving us the opportunity to highlight the many years of work and dedication of those who contributed to the birth and success of Cascades.
www.cascades.com/50

April 16, 2014
The Lemaire brothers tribute gala: larger-than-life entrepreneurs!
The Fondation de l'entrepreneurship will pay tribute to these three great men, highlighting their contribution to our entrepreneurial history. This great celebration will paint a portrait of past generations of Québec entrepreneurs.
www.entrepreneurship.qc.ca

May 8, 2014
Inauguration of the footbridge
The Lemaire brothers will inaugurate the new footbridge made of recycled materials and used paper machine parts, which spans the Nicolet River. Both artistic and practical, the footbridge is symbolic of the rich past and promising future of Cascades and Kingsey Falls, and will connect the municipal park with Parc Marie-Victorin and its larger-than-life attractions.
www.cascades.com/50

May 17, 2014
Envol des passionnés
The fifth edition of the Envol des passionnés will take place in Kingsey Falls. Participants will depart from the Centre récréatif Norman-Boisvert, where sporting events for all ages will be organized. All profits will go to the Kingsey Falls Youth Centre.
www.envoldespassionnes.com

June 21 to September 7, 2014
Boréalis' Generations Exhibition
This summer, the Boréalis museum (interpretation centre on the history of the paper industry) in Trois-Rivières will bring the Generations exhibition to us. It will be on display in the community hall in Kingsey Falls, and tells the story of several families, including the Lemaires, the Perrons and the Prices, who have marked history with their contribution to the growth of Québec's paper industry.
www.borealis3r.ca

June 21, 2014
Vélo-Québec Summer Challenge
Vélo-Québec will make a much deserved stop in Kingsey Falls during its Centre-du-Québec Challenge.
www.velo.qc.ca

July 3, 2014
Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau
The Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau will also stop in Kingsey Falls.
www.charlesbruneau.qc.ca/

July 4 to 6, 2014
Festivities in Kingsey Falls for all Cascades employees
In celebration of its 50th year in operation, Cascades wishes to thank its employees for their active involvement and their dedication to the Company. As the Lemaire brothers often point out, the Company's employees are the basis for its success. Various activities will be organized for them to enjoy during the weekend in Kingsey Falls: a parade featuring floats, fireworks, cardboard boat races, shows, and more!
www.cascades.com/50

July 6 to August 30, 2014
Performances at Parc Bernard-Lemaire
Every Sunday in July and August, starting at 2:00 p.m., come and listen to free performances and enjoy the entertainment at Parc Bernard-Lemaire in Kingsey Falls. It's the perfect way to spend time with the family in a festive atmosphere worthy of a 50th anniversary!
www.cascades.com/50

Starting July 8, 2014
The Escalier jaune
Isabelle Bonneau, Emily Knight and Monique Verville, artists from the Escalier jaune art studio in Warwick, will present a collection of artwork created entirely from Cascades products. Their collection will be on display inside what was once a Cascades trailer, now repurposed and redesigned.

July 8 to September 1, 2014
Collection Loto-Québec: Support papier
The Collection Loto-Québec will make a stop at the Ateliers Marie-Victor in Kingsey Falls, where it will present an exclusive exhibit highlighting paper through the work of art entitled Support papier. Visit the free exhibit and admire the artistic creations carefully chosen from among the most important Canadian collections of contemporary visual art.
www.lotoquebec.com

August 23 and 24, 2014
Open House at the Kingsey Falls Units
Are you curious about how Cascades manufactures its products? Why not visit our units to learn more about the basics of recycling, the production of paper and plastic, and more! Come feel the rhythm of the machines in an experience designed especially for the Company's 50th anniversary!
www.cascades.com/50

We look forward to seeing you! Thank you for being part of our history!

SOURCE Cascades Inc.