January 26, 2004 OTTAWA – Rideau Hall's popular Winter Celebration is back again this year! Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul invite everyone to take part in fun, free activities for the whole family. The Winter Celebration will take place on Saturday, February 7, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.The event marks the third consecutive year that Rideau Hall has teamed up with Winterlude to offer an afternoon of outdoor winter fun. Family activities will include skating, sliding, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and dog sledding. In addition to these activities, there will be musical entertainment provided by La Ridaine—a local group specializing in French Canadian music—as well as demonstrations of Inuit culture and games. Hot chocolate and other refreshments will be served.Visitors will also be able to warm up while exploring Rideau Hall. Our guides will be on hand to answer questions in the residence's staterooms.At 2 p.m., visitors will not want to miss the Norway/Keskinada Giant Ski Relay taking place on the grounds of Rideau Hall. This activity is organized by the Embassy of Norway and the Keskinada Loppet. For more information on the ski relay, please contact Argyle Rowland Communications at (416) 968-7311.ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE WEATHER-PERMITTING. A list of activities and details about parking arrangements is in the attached annex.Please consult our web site at www.gg.ca under the Visit Us section for more details on winter activities at Rideau Hall.-30-Media information Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 993-8157 or (613) 998-7280Public Information 1 866 842-4422ANNEX – Winter Celebration ActivitiesSkating: Lord Dufferin brought the first skating rink to Rideau Hall in 1872. Glide to music on Rideau Hall's ice rink or try out a natural ice patch near the cricket pitch.Sliding: Young visitors can slide down a snow hill on crazy carpets that will be provided.Snowshoeing: Explore a snowshoeing course on the grounds of Rideau Hall. A limited number of snowshoes and an instructor will be available on-site.Sleigh rides: Sit back and enjoy a sleigh ride amidst the wooded areas of the grounds of the Governor General's residence.Dog sledding: Don't miss this truly northern experience. Several dog teams will be onsite to bring guests for a ride on a circuit of the grounds of Rideau Hall.Music: Enjoy the melodies of La Ridaine—a musical duo from Val-des-Monts specializing in traditional French-Canadian music.Inuit culture: High school students from Nunavut will be on hand to share their culture and language with drumming, dancing and Inuit games.Tours: Take a break from the outdoor activities and tour the residence's historic rooms.Minto Skating Club: Come see the Minto Skating Club perform on the ice rink at 1:30 p.m. to commemorate the club's 100th anniversary.Parking: Limited parking for mobility-impaired guests is available on the grounds via Princess Avenue.Free parking will be available at the National Research Council (100 Sussex Drive). A free shuttle service will be in operation from 12:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.About Winterlude:From spectacular ice carvings and giant snow sculptures, to the world's longest skating rink and the biggest snow playground on the continent, Winterlude is a great way to take in the best of our Canadian winter! For more information on Winterlude's 26th edition, from February 6-22, 2004, contact the National Capital Commission at (613) 239-5000 or at 1 800 465-1864 or visit the National Capital Commission's website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude.Winterlude media information: Nicole Beauchamp, National Capital Commission Media Relations (613) 239-5530
