February 7, 2008
OTTAWATheir Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, along with their daughter Marie-Éden, extend a special invitation to winter enthusiasts to join them for Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall. This festival is presented for the seventh consecutive year and will take place this Saturday, February 9, 2008, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Presented as part of Winterlude, Winter Celebration is the perfect event to enjoy what the season has to offer and to take part in a variety of free interpretive and outdoor activities. This year, the festival will focus on the 400th anniversary of Québec City. Visitors will relive this time period through folk music, traditional dances and storytelling by a voyageur. A bust of the great explorer Samuel de Champlain, carved out of ice, will also be on display.
Sports enthusiasts will be entertained by the Norway/Keskinada giant ski, sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowshoeing, Finnish kick sledding excursions and skating on the outdoor rink. Visitors will be able to see the historic residence and tour the staterooms and exhibits featuring the role and responsibilities of the governor general and the 400th anniversary of Québec City.
Free parking will be available at the National Research Council (100 Sussex Drive). A free shuttle service will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Limited parking for mobility-impaired guests is available on the grounds via Princess Avenue.
Please see below the complete list of activities to be presented at Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall. All outdoor activities are weather permitting.
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Media Information Marie-Ève Létourneau Rideau Hall Press Office 613-998-0287www.citizenvoices.gg.ca www.gg.ca
Public Information1-866-991-ggca (4422)613-991-ggca (4422)www.gg.ca
MEDIA PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Official photo with the Governor General, Jean-Daniel Lafond and Marie-Éden next to the ice carved bust of Samuel de Champlain at 12:45 p.m.
Media interested in attending this photo opportunity are asked to arrive at Rideau Hall through the Princess Avenue gate no later than 12:30 p.m.
NOTE: Media will also be permitted to park on the grounds via Princess Avenue.
ANNEX Winter Celebration 2008 activities
First Nations Traditional Dancers: The Aboriginal Experience group will share their culture and language through drumming and dancing.
Le Voyageur Extraordinaire: Children and adults will relive the time period of the voyageurs with storytelling and demonstrations of games, dances, songs and foods by the Voyageur Extraordinaire.
Marc Walter's VELUM Exhibit: Come and admire Marc Walter's magnificent art piece created in honour of the 400th anniversary of Québec City. It was inspired by the sails of tall ships used by explorers of days gone by. Visitors will be able to hang a brightly coloured feather on the Wish Tree, in support of our soldiers. The public will also be welcome to write messages that will be sent to the Canadian soldiers deployed to or returning from Afghanistan through the Military Family Resource Centre of the National Capital Region.
Dog sledding: This activity is popular with children and adults alike as visitors embark on sleds for a short ride around the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Kick sledding: Everyone will enjoy trying out this traditional means of Nordic transportation. A team from the Embassy of Finland will demonstrate kick sledding and encourage visitors to hop on board these unique chair-mounted sleds.
Music by Watoto Children's Choir of Uganda and Ottawa Regional Youth Choir: Youth from both choirs will warm up your hearts with their voices on this wintry day.
Folk Music from Le Grand Portage: A group of singers will perform folk music and traditional dances, as well as French Canadian storytelling.
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 eight adults at one time. They will then attempt to ski a certain distance in complete coordination without stopping or falling over.
Historic Skating Rink: 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.
On-site horse-drawn wagons: Visitors will be able to take a ride on the horse-drawn wagons and tour the grounds of Rideau Hall.
Sleigh rides: Sit back and enjoy a sleigh ride through the wooded areas of the residence offered by the RCMP Musical Ride.
Snowshoeing: Explore a snowshoeing course on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Snowshoes will be available on-site.
Meet the Ice Hogs and Juno the Bear: Don't miss a special appearance by the Ice Hog Family, Winterlude's official mascots, and Juno, the Army mascot.
Tours: Take a break from the outdoor activities and tour the residence's historic staterooms.
Refreshments and more: Savour a delicious hot chocolate, tasty cookies or even taffy on snow during this afternoon of winter festivities.
Winterlude, February 1 to 17: From spectacular ice carvings and giant snow sculptures, to the world's largest 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 1‑800‑465-1867 or visit www.winterlude.gc.ca
