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2 • January 31, 2008 Spectacular Kick-Off Show to Pay Tribute to 400th Anniversary of Quebec
Spectacular Kick-Off Show to Pay Tribute to 400th Anniversary of Quebec The National Capital Commission (NCC) is ready to welcome visitors from all over the world for the 30th edition of Winterlude, which begins on Friday, February 1. Over three weekends until February 17, Canada's Capital Region will be the ideal destination to discover Canadian winter traditions through a wide variety of family activities.
The four official Winterlude sites will welcome visitors beginning Friday, February 1: Jacques-Cartier Park has been transformed into Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom, an enormous playground of snow; Confederation Park's Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Gardens will be home to exquisite ice sculptures; the American Express™ Snowbowl will put the spotlight on Canadian artists; and 7 km of the world's largest skating rink will be open from Somerset to Dows Lake.
Programming for the 30th edition of Winterlude will highlight the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, Canadian northern traditions, as well as the designation of the Rideau Canal as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is a snapshot of the activities taking place during the first weekend of Winterlude.
American Express Snowbowl Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, along with special guests, will officially launch the 30th edition of Winterlude on Friday, February 1 at 7 pm at the American Express Snowbowl stage. This event will pay tribute to the 400th anniversary of Quebec City with a special performance by Tricot Machine and Paule-Andrée Cassidy, and will feature the uncontested star of the Canadian hip-hop scene and three-time JUNO Award-winner K-OS. The Winterlude launch will be broadcast live on Rogers Television, Cable 22.
An energetic performance by traditional Quebecois folk group La Bottine Souriante will have the crowd moving at the American Express Snowbowl on Saturday, February 2, beginning at 7 pm.
Families with young children won't want to miss the daytime programming at the American Express Snowbowl stage. On Saturday, February 2 at noon, JUNO-Award winner Al Simmons will entertain crowds. On Sunday, February 3 at noon and 2 pm, Cornemuse's Friends will host the festivities (French show only).
Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden at Confederation Park Visitors to Confederation Park can admire an ice reproduction of Samuel de Champlain's ship, sculpted in honour of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City. Ice sculptors from all over the world will delight visitors with the creation of more sculptures throughout the weekend as they compete in the One Block Challenge (Friday, February 1, from 8 am to 10 am) and the 21st International Ice-Carving Competition (sculptors will be at work throughout the weekend).
As part of the Meet the Polar Experts series, which takes place at noon and 3:30 pm on Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3, visitors can meet polar specialists such as Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tamblyn, biologist and historian David Gray, and Arctic expedition participants from the Students on Ice program.
Confederation Park will also be a popular evening destination, thanks to the 'Sub-Zero DJ Happenin'. DJ Lance Baptiste will get the audience moving Friday, February 1, while DJ Emily Jones steps in Saturday, February 2, from 8:30 pm to 10 pm.
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park The young and the young-at-heart will enjoy riding the giant snow slides and playing in the labyrinth. Between snowy adventures, festival-goers can relax with the Ice Hog family, visit the Village of Days Gone By, or enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride ($).
Children between 8 and 12 years old can try their hand at an introductory ice fishing workshop presented by the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and the CREDDO and its partners, who will offer the activity this Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 10 am, noon and 2 pm.
Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will also have the chance to view Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom like never before, as they float in a tethered hot-air balloon, on Saturday and Sunday, from 5 pm to 7 pm, weather permitting.
Rideau Canal Skateway Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway will be the site of a wide variety of fun activities and competitions, including the 25th Winterlude Triathlon, which will take place at Dows Lake on Saturday, February 2, starting at 9 am.
Skaters at Dows Lake are invited to the Ice Café, which will highlight both the Rideau Canal's recent designation by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. Café-goers will find ice sculptures and activities organized in collaboration with Parks Canada. Plus, visitors won't want to miss colourful acrobatic kite demonstrations, presented at Dows Lake on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 pm, or the Art on Ice exhibit, featuring works of art in different styles and media at the Patterson Creek entrance to the Skateway on Saturday, from 10 am to 4 pm.
The National Arts Centre (NAC) portion of the Rideau Canal Skateway will remain closed for the first weekend of Winterlude. NCC crews are working to open this section as soon as conditions permit.
Other Activities Residents and visitors can warm up at the ByWard Market Stew Cook-Off ($) on Friday, February 1, at noon, where they can sample a variety of stews prepared by different restaurants and vote for their favourite.
Everyone is invited to gather at Festival Plaza on Saturday, February 2 for the Fourth Annual Enbridge FREE Pancake Breakfast, which takes place at 10 am, and continues while supplies last. …/3 -3-
On Saturday, February 2, members of the public will have free access to the Northern Lights conference, which takes place at the Ottawa Congress Centre from January 30 to February 2. This cultural, business and economic development showcase of Nunavut, Nunavik, Labrador and Nunatsiavut, will feature many artists and performers from the profiled regions.
For a complete list of activities presented at the four official Winterlude sites and elsewhere in the Capital Region, members of the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000 or at 1 800 465-1867, or visit the website at www.winterlude.gc.ca. TTY: 613-239-5090 or toll-free at 1-866-661-3530. For information on access to Winterlude's sites and the Rideau Canal Skateway for people with limited mobility, members of the public are invited to contact the NCC.
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