NCC Calls Winterlude Opening Weekend “Very Positive”
Phil Gaudreau
CFRA
The National Capital Commission is quite pleased with the first weekend of Winterlude.
Senior Vice President Guy Laflamme tells CFRA News attendance has been excellent. “If I count the number of smiles I have encountered, I think people were extremely pleased and happy with what they experienced.”
Laflamme is chalking some of the success up to changes in Winterlude’s business plan to focus on arts and culture, educational events, and food. “We still have winter outdoor sports, but we have way more arts and culture…culinary gourmet food activities…as well as scientific activities”.
But he admits the weather was also a big factor this weekend. “This was an A+ type of weather report and hopefully we’ll be able to benefit from the same kind of conditions for the next two weekends.”
Laflamme says over 30,000 people took in Friday’s fireworks at Winterlude’s opening ceremonies, and it was a great kickoff to what he believes is the best edition of the winter festival yet. “Winterlude has grown to a level of quality and sophistication unmatched in past editions.”
Help wanted: NCC tenders for a fireworks firm to thrill the Canada Day crowds
David Reevely, The Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — The National Capital Commission is looking for a fireworks company to blow up about $70,000 worth of pretty explosives for the next three Canada Days, with an option to extend the contract to cover 2015 as well.
The first three years of the deal would be worth $210,000, according to bid documents the NCC posted on a popular contracting bulletin-board. Each year’s show is to last 15 minutes, the document says, and must: “[s]ustain the enthusiasm of the spectators. It shall have an impressive beginning, a moderately paced middle portion followed by a grand finale. The Display shall be spectacular, colourful and appealing to the spectators.”
It’s the same amount the commission has paid Royal Pyrotechnie of Saint-Pie, Quebec, for fireworks displays over the last several years. The $70,000-a-year bill makes the fireworks shot from Nepean Point one of the bigger displays in Canada — Toronto has several fireworks shows in different parts of town but they’re mostly in the $15,000 to $30,000 range. Vancouver’s Canada Day fireworks are shot over Burrard Inlet, funded to the tune of about $100,000 from the municipalities bordering the water, private sponsors, and the federal government.
Read more on the website: Help wanted: NCC tenders for a fireworks firm to thrill the Canada Day crowds
Countdown is on to the Biggest Birthday Celebration in the Country
Celebrate Canada Day at the Capital’s official sites
[Source: press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ─ With one month to go until Canada’s 144th birthday, the National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce celebration details for two of the three official sites for Canada Day festivities in the Capital: Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. Celebration plans for the iconic heart of the party, Parliament Hill, with Their Royal Highnesses, Prince William and Catherine, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will be shared soon.
The 2011 Canada Day activities will celebrate the Centennial of Parks Canada, the oldest national parks service in the world, the 120th anniversary of the Canadian invention of basketball and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its inventor, Dr. James Naismith, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the National Ballet of Canada, and will highlight three of Canada’s Cultural Capitals for 2011, the City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, the City of Lévis, Québec, and the City of Vancouver, British Columbia. The day will culminate in a breathtaking fireworks display.
“Canada’s Capital is an inspiring reflection of the people, values and achievements of this country, and no day is that more evident than on Canada Day,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “On July 1, the Capital will undoubtedly be the ideal place to have a memorable, Canadian experience.”
Fireworks, human chain for Haiti kick off frosty fun at Winterlude
TRACEY TONG
METRO OTTAWA
Between new features and old favourites, Winterlude had a “picture-perfect” start this weekend.
“We can truly say that the best of Canadian winters has converged in Canada’s capital,” said Guy Laflamme, vice-president of the Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing with the National Capital Commission.
The opening ceremonies on Friday night were a big success, with more than 25,000 people gathered at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and at Major’s Hill Park and Jacques-Cartier Park for the first-ever Winterlude fireworks display, Laflamme said.
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