Unveiling the Program for Winterlude 2017

The 150th anniversary of Confederation is at the heart of the winter celebration!

January 12, 2017 – Ottawa – Department of Canadian Heritage

Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament (Gatineau), on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today unveiled the official program for Winterlude 2017. He was joined by Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, and Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau.

A wide range of activities—reflecting both the Capital Region and Canada as a whole—will be presented at three official sites. Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau’s Jacques-Cartier Park will let visitors experience Canadian landscapes through fun winter activities, such as zooming across the Park on a mega-zip line, sliding down super slides—including a new fifth slide named “Blizzard”—and finding their way out of a giant Canada 150 maze. The National Snow Sculpture Rendezvous is back by popular demand, and the public will be invited to vote for their favourite sculpture.

Crystal Garden in Ottawa’s Confederation Park is where the stage is set for an exciting start to the festivities. Canadian performers Karim Ouellet and Coleman Hell will lead the Kick-Off Celebration, starting at 7 p.m. on February 3. An accompanying laser show will wow the crowd on this opening night. The Sub-Zero Concert Series, including a special Canada 150 Signature Concert on February 11, will liven up the park on Friday and Saturday evenings (plus Sunday, February 19) with a variety of talented Canadian entertainers. Visitors will be able to see ice carvers at work during the 30^th Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition, part of the inaugural Canada Cup of Ice Carving, and vote online for their favourite ice sculpture in the teams category.

The Rideau Canal Skateway will once again host some of Winterlude’s classic activities, including the Winterlude Triathlon and the annual Bed Race. This year, the Canal will host the first ever ice dragon boat race in North America and the largest in the world. There will also be a wide range of activities presented by Winterlude partners at other venues around the region.

Quotes

“It’s with great excitement that Canada’s Capital Region is getting ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to this Canada 150 edition of Winterlude. This festival is a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to come together in the Capital Region and celebrate the 150^th anniversary of Confederation through activities that showcase our country’s nature, climate and culture.”

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

“I invite everyone to take part in this truly Canadian experience! Come skate, slide and celebrate this important milestone for Canada, and be sure to say hello to the Ice Hog family!”

—Steven MacKinnon, Member of Parliament (Gatineau)

Quick Facts

• Winterlude runs from February 3 to 20, with all sites open for Family Day in Ontario.
• The theme for this 39^th edition of Winterlude is “Celebrate Canada in Winter.”
• The 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge will be marked with a majestic 100-block ice sculpture.
• The Sub-Zero Concert Series (Fridays and Saturdays, and Sunday, February 19) will feature Karim Ouellet, Trevor Guthrie, Alx Veliz, DJ DOMENO, Elisapie, David Serkoak, Sarah MacDougall, Annie Blanchard, Jean-François Breau, Maxime McGraw, Joannie Benoît, David Usher, Scott Helman, Alex Nevski and more.
• Official sponsors for the event include CIBC, OLG, and Metro Ontario.
• Visitors are encouraged to make their way to the Winterlude official sites with the free OLG Sno-bus service.

Related Products

Volunteer at Winterlude 2017

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Winterlude

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For more information (media only), please contact:

Pierre-Olivier Herbert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
819-997-7788

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca