Saturday February 3, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
February 1, 2007
OTTAWARideau Hall's Winter Celebration is back again this year with a new twist. In addition to traditional outdoor winter sports, we will also be showcasing hockey's Stanley Cup, bequeathed by Canada's sixth governor general, Lord Stanley. Everyone is invited to join Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean‑Daniel Lafond, as well as their daughter Marie‑Eden, for an afternoon of winter fun for the whole family on Saturday, February 3, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The event marks the sixth consecutive year that Rideau Hall offers an afternoon of free outdoor winter fun in conjunction with Winterlude. Family activities will include sleigh rides, snowshoeing, skating, Inuit cultural presentations, Finnish kick sledding, dog sledding and the Norway / Keskinada giant ski.
Visitors will be able to warm up inside the historic residence and view a variety of presentations, including a photo exhibition on the role and responsibilities of the governor general, short winter-related films by the National Film Board, and the Stanley Cup, which will be on display for this exclusive event.
MEDIA PHOTO-OP OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL WITH THE STANLEY CUP at 11:30 a.m.:
The Governor General will welcome Kevin Shea and John Jason Wilson, authors of Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup, and representatives from the Hockey Hall of Fame who will be presenting the Stanley Cup for display at Rideau Hall during the Winter Celebration.
Media interested in attending this photo opportunity are asked to arrive at Rideau Hall through the Princess Avenue gate no later than 11:15 a.m.
NOTE: Media will also be permitted to park on the grounds via Princess Avenue.
ALL OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES ARE WEATHER-PERMITTING
Please consult the following annex for more details on the Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall.
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Rideau Hall Media Information Cynthia Jolly or Marilyne Guèvremont Rideau Hall Press Office 613 990-2997 or 613-998-7280
Rideau Hall Public Information1-866-991-ggca (4422)613-991-ggca (4422)www.gg.ca
The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the National Capital Commission and our media partners: Bob FM, Team 1200, Rock détente 94.9 and Radio énergie 104.1.
Parking: Free parking will be available at the National Research Council (100 Sussex Drive). A free shuttle service will be in operation from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Limited parking for mobility-impaired guests is available on the grounds via Princess Avenue.
ANNEX Winter Celebration 2007 activities
Dog sledding: This activity is popular with adults and children alike as visitors embark on the sleds for a short ride around the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Inuit cultural presentations: Inuit students from the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program will be on hand to share their culture and language with drumming, dancing and Inuit games.
Kick sledding: Everyone will enjoy trying out this traditional means of Nordic transportation. A team from the Embassy of Finland will be on hand to demonstrate kick sledding and to encourage visitors to hop on board these unique chair-mounted sleds.
Music and more by Louis Mercier: a rousing presentation of traditional French-Canadian music, dance and stories.
Music by St. Mary Choir School: This talented group of grades 5 to 8 music students from London, Ontario, will perform vocals outdoors and indoors as a string ensemble.
Norway/Keskinada giant ski: This activity, organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, will encourage visitors to strap on velcro bindings on giant skis that hold 8 adults at one time. They will then attempt to ski a certain distance in complete coordination without stopping or falling over.
On-site horse-drawn wagon shuttles: Three horse-drawn wagons will provide an on-site shuttle service from the front of the residence to the dog-sledding area. Visitors will be encouraged to take the ride one way and, at the other end, a new group of visitors will be invited to take the shuttle back.
Short films: The National Film Board of Canada will present short winter-related films inside the residence.
Skating: Lord Dufferin built the first skating rink at Rideau Hall in 1872. Glide to music on Rideau Hall's historic ice rink or try out a natural ice patch near the Canadian Heritage Garden.
Sleigh rides: Sit back and enjoy a sleigh ride through the wooded areas of the grounds of the governor general's residence.
Snowshoeing: Explore a snowshoeing course on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Snowshoes and an instructor will be available on-site.
Stanley Cup: The Stanley Cup was first donated to hockey in 1893 by Canada's sixth governor general, Lord Frederick Arthur Stanley. The cup returns to its birthplace at Rideau Hall for this special event. Visitors will be able to pose for pictures and learn about the history of the cup from Kevin Shea and John Jason Wilson, authors of the book Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup. The cup will be on display until 2:30 p.m. so come early.
Tours: Take a break from the outdoor activities and tour the residence's historic staterooms.
Winterlude, February 2 to 18: 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, contact the National Capital Commission at 1‑800‑465-1864 or visit http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude.
