Christmas in the capital
CANADIAN PRESS
While many Canadians look to warmer climes for a Christmas vacation, the capital offers a real winter extravaganza for the hearty.
By now, the city is aglow in Christmas lights. About 300,000 bulbs trim the Peace Tower and other public buildings. They shine from the monuments and trees along what’s known as Confederation Boulevard, which stretches from downtown to the residences of the prime minister and Governor General.
Read more on the Canoe website: Christmas in the capital
Welcome the Olympic Flame – Parliament Hill – Dec. 12/09
Olympic Torch Relay
On Saturday, December 12, at 7 p.m., the 25th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada will be launched with an illumination ceremony on Parliament Hill. This year, the celebration is set to coincide with the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Flame, as the Torch Relay reaches the heart of Canada’s Capital Region.
This brilliant symbol of Olympic spirit, as well as over 300,000 dazzling lights, will light up the night as Christmas Lights Across Canada kicks off.
Festivities on Parliament Hill
Starting at 5:30 pm, be part of history alongside thousand of Canadians gathered to take in a unique evening of free activities, featuring internationally renowned artists like Gregory Charles and Tom Cochrane.
Olympic medalists for Canada, Nathalie Lambert and Steve Podborski, Chef de Mission and Assistant Chef de Mission for the Canadian Olympic Team, are the distinguished masters of ceremony for this spectacular event.
Gregory Charles, composer of the official community celebrations theme song, will conduct a choir composed of 100 singers from the region. Following these performances, the crowd will be captivated by an aboriginal dance choreography interpreted by artists from many parts of Canada. The festivities will end with a performance by Tom Cochrane.
The evening culminates with the arrival of the Olympic Torch and the illumination of the Christmas lights at 7 pm. The final torchbearer will be Joé Juneau, 1992 Albertville Olympic medallist and former Montréal Canadiens team member. He will have the honour of lighting the Olympic Flame in the Capital.
Hot chocolate and BeaverTails® pastries will be offered from 5 pm to 8 pm (while quantities last).
The evening promises to be a magical one, with fun and entertainment for the whole family.
The event will be broadcast live on Rogers Television.
From December 12, 2009 to January 7, 2010, Canada’s Capital Region will sparkle with more than 300,000 dazzling lights.
Street Closures on Saturday, December 12
Services
Information – Capital Infocentre
90 Wellington Street, Ottawa (across from Parliament Hill)
613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 or 1-866-661-3530 (TTY)
People With Special Needs
Parliament Hill is accessible for people with special needs.
Drop-Off Area (No Parking): Parliament Hill (Bank Street at Wellington) – A small area* near the stage will be available for people who use wheelchairs or require sign interpretation. Access that area from the West Drive.
* Space is limited: One companion only, please.
Accessible transit information
Access hotline, OC Transpo: 613-842-3625 (TTY), 613-741-5280
Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO): 819-770-3242
RF Receivers for hearing impaired persons
An induction loop system for persons with hearing impairment is available at the universal access tent (photo identification required and credit card or $20 cash deposit).
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Programming for the Passage of the Olympic Torch Through Canada’s Capital Region Unveiled
The Government of Canada and the National Capital Commission today announced the artistic programming for the celebrations marking the Olympic Torch relay’s passage through Canada’s Capital Region on December 12.
The programming will feature internationally known artists like Gregory Charles and Tom Cochrane. Charles, who composed the celebration communities’ song, will direct a choir of 100 singers from the region, and an Aboriginal dance performance by artists from across Canada will add to the evening’s excitement. Joe Juneau, an Olympic medallist at the 1992 Albertville Games and former player for the Montreal Canadiens, will have the honour of lighting the Olympic Flame. The festivities will conclude with a performance by Tom Cochrane.
The passage of the Olympic Torch through Canada’s capital marks the 44th day of a 106-day odyssey from one end of the country to the other.
Hosting the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver and the Olympic Torch relay are a unique opportunity for Canada to show the world not only Canadian athletic excellence, but our cultural, social, and environmental excellence as well.
The Government of Canada has invested $24.5 million so that communities across the country can experience the enthusiasm and excitement of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Torch relays.
For more information on government support for the torch relays or the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, visit www.canada2010.gc.ca.
The 25th edition of the NCC’s Christmas Lights Across Canada Program official illumination ceremony will coincide with the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay on Parliament Hill on December 12. This year, more than 300,000 multicoloured lights-including 200,000 LED lights on NCC sites-will illuminate the National Capital Region every evening from 4:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. until January 7, 2010. For more information on NCC celebration programming, visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TO SPARKLE FROM COAST TO COAST TO COAST
Once again this year, the National Capital Commission (NCC) presents its annual Christmas Lights Across Canada program. In early December, festive lighting ceremonies are scheduled to take place in provincial and territorial capitals across Canada – as well as on Parliament Hill – and hundreds of thousands of lights will sparkle across the country.Here’s what Canadians can look forward to in their regions:
In Canada’s Capital Region, the illumination of the 25th edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada is set to coincide with the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in the heart of the Capital. Residents and visitors are invited to join the celebration for this historic moment. Thousands will gather on Parliament Hill on December 12, 2009 at 5:30 pm for an evening of free festivities, including free hot chocolate and BeaverTails® pastries from 5 pm to 8 pm. The evening culminates with the arrival of the Olympic Torch and the illumination of the Christmas lights at 7 pm. The event will be broadcast live on Rogers Television.
Close to 300,000 lights, including 200,000 LED Christmas Lights, will illuminate Parliament Hill and many prominent landmarks located along Confederation Boulevard, Canada’s discovery route circling the heart of the Capital Region. The light displays will brighten the Capital every evening, from 4:30 pm to 2 am, until January 7, 2010.
NCC INSTALLS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ON PARLIAMENT HILL
Preparations are underway for the 25th edition of the National Capital Commission’s (NCC) Christmas Lights Across Canada program. During the next few weeks, the installation of 200,000 LED lights along Confederation Boulevard will be completed, with one tenth of them on Parliament Hill.From December 12, 2009 to January 7, 2010, hundreds of thousands of multicoloured lights will illuminate approximately 70 NCC and partner sites along Confederation Boulevard, including Parliament Hill, national museums, institutions, monuments, embassies and other prominent landmarks. Residents and visitors are invited to join us for the official illumination ceremony on December 12, 2009 on Parliament Hill. This year, the celebration is set to coincide with the arrival of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay in the heart of Canada’s Capital Region.
For more information on the Christmas Lights Across Canada program, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1 800 465-1867 or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca. TTY (text telephone for the hearing impaired) is available at: 613-239-5090 or toll-free 1 866 661-3530.
Christmas in Canada’s capital serves up something for everyone
While many Canadians look to warmer climes for a Christmas vacation, the capital offers a real winter extravaganza for the hearty.Yuletide visitors will have to brave the climate – December’s average temperature is -3C and snowfall for the month averages 57 cm – but they’ll find a lot of rewards.
By mid-December, the city is aglow in Christmas lights. About 300,000 bulbs trim the Peace Tower and other public buildings. They shine from the monuments and trees along what’s known as Confederation Boulevard, which stretches from downtown to the residences of the prime minister and Governor General.
Full CP story via Google News: Christmas in Canada’s capital serves up something for everyone
