WINTERLUDE PROMISES A SECOND WEEKEND OF EXCITING ACTIVITIES

This is an archived article about a previous Winterlude event. For up-to-date information about this year's events & activities, please visit our Ottawa Winterlude Guide.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) wishes to remind residents and visitors that the second weekend of the 32nd edition of Winterlude, Canada’s winter celebration, promises to be an exciting one. Winterlude continues in the Capital Region until February 21, 2010.

Here is a sampling of some of the activities taking place during the second weekend of Winterlude:

Rogers Crystal Garden in Confederation Park

This weekend, ice carving competitions at the Rogers Crystal Garden include the One Block Ice-Carving Challenge, a friendly competition among members of the Canadian Ice Carvers’ Society and the Live Ice Sculpture Demonstration where visitors will see before their eyes, a 135-kilogram (300-pound) block of ice transformed into a work of art.

Ice sculpture enthusiasts will also want to take in the crystalline masterpieces created at the 23rd Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition during the first weekend of Winterlude and the majestic ice sculpture specially made in honour of the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Navy and those who proudly serve and who have served in the Canadian Navy.

An ice polar bear will also arrive at Confederation Park this weekend. The Ice Bear Project, “Polar Bears — On Thin Ice” was launched in Québec City in late January, with the unveiling of an ice sculpture of a polar bear carved around a bronze skeleton. As the ice melts to reveal the bronze skeleton, the sculpture will serve as a reminder of both the fragility of our Northern regions and the vulnerability of the entire human species to climate change.

Confederation Park will also be a popular evening destination this weekend, thanks to the
‘Sub-Zero DJ Series’ which will get the audience dancing and moving. On Friday, Spins & Needles and DJ Jason Pelletier offer a creative night out that mixes hip do-it-yourself projects with funky music from 8 pm to 10:30 pm. DJ Daniel Desnoyers will take over the floor on Saturday, February 9, from 4 pm to 10:30 pm.

Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom (Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau)

Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom is Winterlude’s snow playground. Again this weekend, it is the ideal destination for the young and the young at heart. This family friendly paradise features an Olympic-themed labyrinth, giant snow slides and an outdoor amphitheatre.

The National Snow Sculpture Competition which got underway on Tuesday, February 9 with the theme of “Winter Fun,” sees teams representing Canada’s provinces and territories competing to transform giant blocks of snow into creative masterpieces. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the snow sculptures as of Saturday February 13 at 1 pm until Sunday, February 21. On Saturday at 1 pm, visitors can meet the teams of sculptors and artists and ask questions on the art of snow sculpting. Visitors will also be able to vote for their favourite snow sculpture between 1 pm and 3:30 pm. At 4 pm, winners of the Jury’s Award and People’s Choice Award will be announced.

Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will also want to stop at Place Gatineau — a play area presented by the Ville de Gatineau that will offer participatory games for the whole family, including Arctic sports.

Back by popular demand - Building on the success of last weekend’s presentation an additional free screening of the film La Guerre des tuques will be offered this Saturday at 6:30 pm. The film will be projected on the giant snow screen the at Sun Life Stage. For the occasion, visitors are invited to come dressed as their favourite characters from the popular Quebec film that celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Also on site at Jacques-Cartier Park, visitors will have an opportunity to meet Canadian military personnel, experience first-hand what they are doing around the world and in the Canada’s North, and test their cold-weather skills, coordination, and strength in a 30-metre (100-foot) obstacle course.

The Ice Hog Family, Winterlude’s famous mascots, will be on-hand all weekend to meet young and young at heart. Crowds at the Sun Life Stage will enjoy an exciting show called “Topsy-Turvy” during which Papa Ice Hog performs. This acrobatic, circus-inspired show features the duo Circ-u-l'air.

Audiences will be awestruck by the Ski and Snowboard Trampoline Show. Canadian freestyle ski and snowboard athletes will showcase a unique, one-of-a-kind aerial acrobatics show — on a trampoline. (Saturdays and Sundays, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm)

Family Day – Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will be open from 9 am to 8 pm, for Ontario’s Family Day (Monday, February 15).

The Rideau Canal Skateway

Open for its 40th season on January 14, this fantastic 7.8-kilometre ice surface offers families and fun-seekers alike a wide variety of services including rest areas, food concessions, skate and sleigh rentals, skate sharpening, and boot check services this weekend.

Skaters at Dows Lake are invited to visit Urban Art at Dows Gallery. The exhibit portrays young local artists’ vision of the Rideau Canal Skateway through the medium of graffiti art. These works of art will be exhibited for the duration of the skating season.

Also this weekend, 30 teams from across Canada will compete in the 2nd Annual Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Championship at Dows Lake. On Sunday at 12 pm, a not-to-be-missed special game featuring Mascots on Ice (including Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hogs) and local celebrities will take place.

Skaters and visitors are invited to stop at the two traditional outdoor winter stations on the Rideau Canal Skateway at Lansdowne. Interpreters will be displaying First Nations and Metis culture. Activities include: Inuit throat singing, games, traditional First Nations dances, storytelling and more!

At Fifth Avenue, residents and visitors can sign up for a free 45-minute Subway® Learn to Skate session, focused on fun and basic skills development, provided by professional coaches from Nepean, Gloucester and Minto skating clubs. Registrations take place on the hour. Visitors won’t want to miss the WestJet Fun ’n Festival Zone, an interactive fun zone, hosted by the owners of WestJet. Activities include a chance to win free WestJet flights, a photo experience, fire performances, and ice carvings. Additionally, the American Express® Lounge will offer culinary demonstrations and complimentary hot chocolate for visitors.

For more information about Winterlude, please contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at Winterlude.gc.ca.

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