January 28, 2015 – Ottawa – Department of Canadian Heritage
Canada’s Capital Region is ready to welcome residents and visitors to the 37th Winterlude, which will begin on Friday, January 30, 2015. Over three weekends, until February 16, Ottawa–Gatineau will be the ideal destination to discover Canadian winter traditions through numerous cultural, sport, culinary, scientific and family activities.
Here is a snapshot of the activities taking place during the first weekend of Winterlude.
Winterlude Opening Ceremony: Catch the Spirit… Dream, Play, Excel!
Friday, January 30
Roaming buskers 7 p.m.; Opening Ceremony 7:30 p.m.; DJ Dance Party 8 p.m.
The celebration officially kicks off on January 30 with an electrifying evening at the Crystal Garden’s main stage in Confederation Park. Winterlude’s Opening Ceremony will pay tribute to our Canadian athletes as we celebrate the Year of Sport in Canada and highlight milestones in Canadian history such as the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald. There will be musical performances, pyrotechnics, the 28th Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition, and a one-of-a-kind DJ/VJ Dance Party with Paris & Simo and Video Girl!
Crystal Garden in Confederation Park: “The Art of Play” carved in ice
This weekend, there are plenty of chances to watch ice carvers from around the world create their crystalline masterpieces in Confederation Park. These include the One-Block Challenge on Friday, January 30 (8 to 10 a.m.) and the 28th Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition, in which professional carvers from around the world put their talent to the test beginning Friday and throughout the weekend.
On opening weekend, visitors to the Crystal Garden will also have the opportunity to:
The Winterlude fun continues across the street at Ottawa City Hall’s Marion Dewar Plaza all weekend with:
Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park: Winter sports and games—with the Ice Hog Family!
Both the young and the young at heart will enjoy playing in this frosty paradise of giant snow slides, presented by Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau. The fun begins on Friday, January 30, at 10:30 a.m., when Mama and Papa Ice Hog, along with twins Noumi and Nouma, join the crowd for the official launch of the Snowflake Kingdom—North America’s biggest snow playground!
On Winterlude’s first weekend, visitors will also have the chance to:
- join Shuéme, the Official Mascot of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, to celebrate the Year of Sport in Canada with soccer in the snow;
- commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald with interactive activities and old-fashioned hot chocolate by the fireside in the Parks Canada Zone;
- visit the Aboriginal Village and interactive exhibit “Winter Camp Life,” featuring a display of winter survival tools, and listen to traditional stories and legends by the fireside;
- see professional snow carvers from Yukon at work, or take a snow-sculpting workshop and create their very own masterpiece;
- be amazed by alpine skiing and snowboarding demonstrations;
- marvel at the creation of graffiti art in winter;
- test their knowledge about our country with Historica Canada’s trivia challenge;
- experience downhill skiing with qualified instructors;
- try a kicksled, the outdoor activity that millions of Europeans love;
- laugh and dance along with talented performers at the Snowflake Stage;
- drive the track at the miniature 3D village little car course;
- go sliding Friday or Saturday night to the sounds of techno-house music spun by local DJs;
- challenge themselves in the XTREME Zone, where they can try a zip line, a mini zip line, pedal go-karts on snow, a giant maze and an adventure course.
The Rideau Canal Skateway: Celebrating 45 seasons of skating
Each winter, the Rideau Canal is transformed into the world’s largest skating rink and becomes centre stage for many activities during Winterlude. For opening weekend, this world-famous ice surface will host:
Visitors to the Skateway will also have the opportunity to join a learn-to-skate program, test their skills at the Giant Tiger Interactive Hockey Zone, discover the Yukon, or warm up with hot apple cider and winter games at the OLG Sno-Bus Station, all FREE at Fifth Avenue! On the ice at the National Arts Centre, visitors can drop by the Nordstrom Haute Spot for a photo keepsake.
Programming Partners: More partners, more diversity, more fun!
For the 37th Winterlude, more than 70 programming partners have come together to offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Here is just a sample of what takes place on the first weekend of Winterlude:
The Department of Canadian Heritage is proud to present Winterlude with the support of the following official site sponsors and partners: Ville de Gatineau, City of Ottawa, National Capital Commission, Government of Yukon, Government of Northwest Territories, Parks Canada, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Latvia in Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, Historica Canada, Motivate Canada, Ringette Canada, Cracking up the Capital, Ottawa Art Gallery, TakingITGlobal, Ottawa Scottish Society, Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, Canada Games, FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, Société de transport de l’Outaouais, OC Transpo, OLG – Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Giant Tiger, Nordstrom, Rideau Centre, Pizza Pizza, Pepsi, GoodLife Fitness and many others, including region’s hospitality industry. Special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time, talent and energy during the Capital’s winter celebration.
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Follow Winterlude on Twitter @Winterlude (#Winterlude) and on Facebook.
For more information about Winterlude, call 1-844-878-8333 or visit www.winterlude.gc.ca.
Stay Connected
For more information (media only), please contact:
Marisa Monnin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
819-997-7788
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
