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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WINNERS OF THE 23RD ROGERS INTERNATIONAL ICE-CARVING COMPETITION
Over the first weekend of Winterlude, the National Capital Commission (NCC) hosted 38 professional carvers from 13 different countries at the Rogers Crystal Garden 23rd International Ice-Carving Competition, held in Confederation Park. This year, 12 carvers participated in the Singles Category, and 26 carvers participated in the Pairs Category. They each had 28 and 30 hours, respectively, to create their masterpieces.
The NCC is pleased to announce the winners of the 23rd Rogers International Ice-Carving Competition in the Singles and Pairs categories.
Singles Category
1st place: Junichi Nakamara (Japan), sculpture entitled Princess Coral
2nd place: Sebastien Sanchez (France), sculpture entitled Resurrection
3rd place: Gordon Matkun (Croatia), sculpture entitled Fire Fight
Media Choice Award: Junichi Nakamara (Japan), sculpture entitled Princess Coral
Pairs Category
1st place: Hiroaki Kimura and Masaki Takahashi (Japan), sculpture entitled Kimono
2nd place: Samuel Girault and Michal Mizula (France|Poland), sculpture entitled Human Illusion?
3rd place: Armando Baisas + Ross Baisas (Philippines), sculpture entitled Chimera
Media Choice Award: Samuel Girault and Michal Mizula (France|Poland), sculpture entitled Human Illusion?
NEW! VOTE ONLINE for the Best Winterlude Ice Carving Contest ¾ Rogers People’s Choice: Vote for your favourite sculpture for a chance to WIN a trip for two with WestJet. Visit Winterlude.gc.ca for more details. (contest open until Sunday, February 21, 4pm)
On Friday, February 5, carvers taking part in the Rogers One-Block Challenge transformed one block of ice into a sculpture inspired by the theme “Myths and Legends” in two hours. The winners of the Rogers One-Block Challenge at Confederation Park are:
1st place: Benjamin Rand (USA)
2nd place: Greg Butauski (USA)
3rd place: Ross Baisas (Philippines)
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.
WINTERLUDE’S SUN LIFE SNOWFLAKE KINGDOM WELCOMES THE YOUNG AND THE YOUNG AT HEART
This morning, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Ville de Gatineau, accompanied by special guests and Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hog family, officially opened Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom. Located in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, this enchanting site will welcome the young and the young at heart during Winterlude, from February 5 to 21, 2010.
“Gatineau is very happy to welcome the biggest snow playground on the continent. This year once again, thousands of visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will get to shoot down some 30 giant slides and enjoy snow sculptures. Winterlude is the best family celebration of the winter, and an excellent opportunity for visitors to discover and appreciate our city,” declared Gatineau Mayor Marc Bureau.
“In one week’s time, Canada will be hosting the Olympic Winter Games, and the NCC is proud to highlight this Canadian event in many of its Winterlude activities; visitors to Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom and Winterlude’s other official sites will be able to discover more about winter fun in Canada and about Olympic sports,” said Guy Laflamme, Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing of the NCC.
With gigantic snow slides and a huge snow maze dedicated to Olympic sports, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will truly be celebrating winter fun. Visitors will be amazed by the ski and snowboard trampoline show, featuring Canadian ski and snowboard athletes performing impressive aerial feats on the trampoline.
Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park are also invited to stop in at Place Gatineau, a play area presented by the Ville de Gatineau, which offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, including kite flying, Arctic sports and snow volleyball.
Once again this year, visitors can try their luck at ice fishing, thanks to the collaboration of CREDDO (Conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais). During the first weekend of Winterlude, young people aged 8 to 12 can participate in an introductory fishing workshop and, during the second and third Winterlude weekends, ice fishing will be open for all to try.
The National Snow Sculpture Competition, presented in collaboration with the Ville de Gatineau, is a favourite activity among visitors to Winterlude. Teams of sculptors representing Canada’s provinces and territories will take on the challenge of transforming giant blocks of snow (3.7 metres x 4.9 metres x 3.7 metres) into larger-than-life works of art, inspired by the theme “Winter Fun.” As of the second weekend of Winterlude, the public will be able to admire these amazing sculptures.
The Canadian Forces are proud to be participating in the Winterlude 2010 celebrations. Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will have an opportunity to meet members of the Canadian military and learn about what they do in different parts of the world and in Canada’s North. People can test their skills in the cold weather by participating in a 30-metre (100-foot) obstacle course requiring strength and coordination. Exhibit areas will be open to the public Fridays to Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm, during the three Winterlude weekends.
Knitting is back in style! Visitors can warm up at the Maison Charron and groove to the sounds of the DJ — while helping to create an original work of art that will be displayed in the Park. Urban Knitting will take place on Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 4 pm.
Everyone is invited to join us for a memorable evening under the stars for the Sun Life Movie Nights. A series of winter-inspired, short animated films will be presented on a giant snow screen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, February 6, Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film La Guerre des tuques.
Visitors to Jacques-Cartier Park will also have an opportunity to meet the Ice Hog family, get one of their famous Ice Hog hugs and see the new show Topsy-Turvy (11:30 am and 1 pm), an acrobatic, circus-inspired show featuring Papa Ice Hog and the duo Circ-u-l’air at the Sun Life Stage. Other exciting shows will also be presented at the Sun Life Stage. During the first weekend, visitors will discover the unexpected and exceptional adventures of Arthur L’aventurier. (2:30 pm, 4 pm, French only show)
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom will be open Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, from 9 am to 8 pm (except Sunday, February 21, until 6 pm) and Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 9 pm (except Friday, February 5, until 10 pm). During Quebec’s professional development day (Monday, February 8) and Ontario’s Family Day (Monday, February 15), the Park will be open from 9 am to 8 pm.
For more information about activities at Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom, 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 the Ville de Gatineau at 3-1-1. To find out more about programming for Winterlude 2010, visit the following websites: Winterlude.gc.ca or www.gatineau.ca/winterlude.
The NCC and the Ville de Gatineau are proud to be working together with Sun Life and First Air.
HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA: OTTAWA SENATORS ALUMNI SHINNY HOCKEY GAME ON THE RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY
The National Capital Commission (NCC) and the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club are teaming up to celebrate Canada’s national sport as part of the Hockey Day in Canada activities being held across the country this Saturday.Starting at 12:30 pm, members of the Ottawa Senators Alumni will play a three-on-three shinny hockey game against members of the NHL Alumni on the world’s largest skating rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway.
The Senators Alumni scheduled to participate include Laurie Boschman, Jim Kyte, Jason Smith, Jason York and Shaun Van Allen. The NHL Alumni squad will feature Ted Bulley (Chicago Blackhawks), John Chabot (Montreal Canadiens), Larry Skinner (Colorado Rockies), Doug Smith (Los Angeles Kings) and Rick Smith (Boston Bruins). Both alumni teams will have honorary captains from the Canadian Forces.
Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010
Time: The event will get under way at 12:10 pm, with player introductions, the singing of the national anthem by young local performer Taryn Waldorf and the official puck drop. The game starts at 12:30 pm.
Location: Patterson Creek inlet, on the Rideau Canal Skateway
(off Queen Elizabeth Driveway, between Linden Terrace and First Avenue)
Starting at 11:30 am, skating lessons will also be offered to new Canadians. Registration for the program, which is presented by the NCC in collaboration with the Gloucester Skating Club is already full.
For more information about Hockey Day in Canada, 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 www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Winterlude organizers cancel Snowbowl concerts
CBC News
The outdoor Snowbowl concert series won’t be a part of Ottawa’s Winterlude festival this year, organizers say.
The National Capital Commission, which organizes the festival, said environmental concerns factored into the decision to cancel the concerts.
The NCC said the $400,000 that it spent every year on the outdoor concerts will be redistributed to other Winterlude events.
Full story: Winterlude organizers cancel Snowbowl concerts
Pond Hockey Classic scores on the Rideau Canal
EMC News
This year marks the return of the “Great Canadian” Beaver Cup to Winterlude and the first Canadian Corporate Pond Hockey Challenge on the world famous Rideau Canal. Located at Dow’s Lake in Ottawa, pond stars from across the country will take part in the Pond Hockey Classic for dibs to represent the Beaver Cup at another “great” outdoor pond hockey classic.
For information about the Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Championship and the Canadian Pond Hockey Challenge or would like to register a team to play, go to www.beavercup.ca or email us at bigredstick@yahoo.ca.
Full article from EMC News: Pond Hockey Classic scores on the Rideau Canal
THE ICE HOG FAMILY HAS ARRIVED IN CANADA’S CAPITAL REGION — WINTERLUDE IS FAST APPROACHING!
The National Capital Commission (NCC) today welcomed the Ice Hog family, Winterlude’s official mascots, to Jacques-Cartier Park. Papa and Mama Ice Hog made an eye-catching entrance on snowshoes, followed by Nouma and Noumi on cross-country skis. The Ice Hogs were accompanied by youth from the Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Scouts.Each winter, the Ice Hogs travel from Canada’s Far North to the Capital Region, to meet the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come to participate in one of Canada’s greatest winter celebrations. The 32nd edition of Winterlude will take place from February 5 to 21, 2010.
Between now and the beginning of Winterlude, the Ice Hog family will settle into the region and get down to work helping with the programming for Winterlude 2010.
Official Sites
The NCC is also taking this opportunity to announce that Winterlude will be taking place at three official sites: the Rideau Canal Skateway and Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Garden) in Ottawa, and Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom) in Gatineau. Other sites will also be used to hold special events.
Program of Activities
In January, the NCC will unveil the official program for the 32nd Winterlude and the 40th season of skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway. In the meantime, the NCC team will be busy putting the final touches on the program, which will highlight what makes the Canadian winter a fun and enriching experience: the outdoors, skating, sliding, snow and ice sculptures, and more.
Many of the changes to the 2010 edition of Winterlude will be motivated by our determination to embrace environmentally sound practices, and to transition toward a carbon-neutral Winterlude in 2012. In 2010, the NCC will measure the carbon footprint of events held on official Winterlude sites.
In this context of renewal and in keeping with the NCC’s environmental strategy, Snowbowl will be replaced by other programming elements. These will reflect the preference of visitors and participants to Winterlude for activities that are outdoor, family-oriented and participatory.
Winterlude is celebrating its 32nd anniversary from February 5 to 21, 2010. The success and longevity of Canada’s winter celebration are the direct result of the NCC’s efforts to ensure that programs and activities meet the expectations of both residents and visitors in Canada’s Capital Region.
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 www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
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
