Rideau Hall's 2005 winter program promises warm hearts and cold noses! January 20, 2005 OTTAWA — Everyone is invited to bundle up and head over to Canada's favourite backyard for another season filled with winter activities at Rideau Hall, the historic home and workplace of Canada's Governor General. Bring your skates and take a spin through history at Rideau Hall's skating rink, or enjoy an art tour and the new McMichael Canadian Art Collection exhibition on display inside the residence. Here is what is in store for you this winter at Rideau Hall: Winter Celebration — February 5, 2005: It is almost time for Rideau Hall's Winter Celebration. This year's festivities will take place Saturday, February 5, 2005, from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, self-guided tours of the residence, the Keskinada/Norway Giant Ski, presentations of Inuit drumming and dancing, and a snow park where children can make snow sculptures and participate in snowy activities. Additional details about the winter celebration will be released shortly. Outdoor Skating (January 8 to March 20, 2005, weather permitting): Glide to the sounds of classical melodies on Canada's oldest outdoor skating rink. The rink was originally built in 1872 by Lord Dufferin, Canada's third governor general. On weekends, join costumed interpreters and recall Rideau Hall's historic past. Public skating: weekends, noon to 5 p.m. Organized groups, by reservation, Monday to Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; weekends, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Note: hockey is not permitted Residence Tours: The popular residence tours are available to the public Saturdays and Sundays during February between noon and 4 p.m. These 45-minute guided tours provide a window on Canadian history and show visitors the State rooms where Canadians are honoured and State functions are held. Group tours are available daily, by reservation, all year, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection at Rideau Hall: A new feature of the residence tour, this exhibition showcases 12 paintings and drawings by some of Canada's most renowned artists. It includes Canadian landscapes by Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, Victoria Mamnguqsualuk, Franklin Carmichael and others. The exhibition is presented until September 18, 2005. Art Tours: Discover the impressive collection of Canadian art with our visual arts interpreter every Friday afternoon, from January 7 to March 18. Reservation required. Note: Scheduling for all activities is subject to change without notice due to official events. -30- Media information Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 993-8158 Public and reservation information (613) 991-ggca (4422) 1 866 842-ggca (4422)
