The heavy snowfall the city received yesterday made the perfect backdrop as the National Capital Commission unveiled the lineup for Winterlude.
The 33rd edition of the event, which also coincides with the 41st season of the Rideau Canal Skateway, will be held from Feb. 4 to 21, 2011.
As in previous years, the event, which kicks off at the Canadian Museum of Civilization at 7 p.m. on Feb. 4, will have four sites, including the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park and the skateway in Ottawa, and in Gatineau, the Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
“Winterlude celebrates Canadian achievements, values and traditions and helps to enrich the social and cultural fabric of Canada,” said NCC CEO Marie Lemay.
New this year is a partnership with the Ottawa Chamber Music Society, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and the National Gallery of Canada, among other organizations, which will all provide programming.
Activities on the Rideau Canal Skateway include skating lessons, an interactive hockey zone, Portraits on Ice by Library and Archives Canada, the Winterlude Triathlon, a bed race, and the third annual Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Classic.
Returning to Confederation Park is the 24th annual ice-carving competition, which features artists from all around the world, said Guy Laflamme, vice-president capital experience for the NCC. Visitors to the park aren’t the only ones to be able to see the sculptures — Canadians can see the works online and cast their vote for their favourites.
The park will also host cultural and artistic displays and performances celebrating Chinese New Year, and at night, the Sub-Zero DJ Series featuring the best DJs in the region.
An all-new Winter Experience Zone joins giant snow slides at Jacques-Cartier Park. The zone includes an obstacle course challenge, giant snow sculptures and a kid zone.
