Minister Glover Unveils Program for the 36th Winterlude, Featuring Canadian Sports, Arts, and Winter Traditions

GATINEAU, QC, Dec. 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today unveiled the official program for the 36^th Winterlude, the Capital's winter celebration.

Winterlude will run from January 31 to February 17, 2014, with festivities taking place at three official sites: Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, and the Rideau Canal Skateway and Confederation Park in Ottawa. Once again this year, a wide range of activities will be presented by partners at other venues around Gatineau and Ottawa.

"Canada's Capital is set to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this winter at all the official Winterlude sites," said Minister Glover. "For this 36^th festival, many partners from every corner of the country have come together to showcase our country's sports, winter traditions, and artistic talent."

Minister Glover was joined by Steve Desroches, Deputy Mayor of Ottawa, and Daniel Champagne, municipal councillor (Versant) on behalf of the Mayor of Gatineau, at today's press conference at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.

The Department of Canadian Heritage, along with many programming partners, will mark the defining moments of our history during Winterlude.

• To mark the 150^th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec conferences, the folk traditions of Prince Edward Island and Quebec will blend with electronic music to create a kitchen party alive with raw musical energy at Confederation Park.
• Veterans Affairs Canada will present a majestic ice sculpture made from 100 blocks of ice, to be unveiled during a lighting ceremony at Confederation Park, marking the 100^th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
• With the approach of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, the Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau will feature winter sports and games. The young and the young at heart will be invited to try their luck at the winter obstacle course, learn to downhill ski, be photographed in a bobsled, celebrate the 50^th anniversary of ringette in Canada, and meet with former members of the Canadian Luge Team

Celebrations officially begin on January 31 at 7 p.m. at Confederation Park with Winterlude's Great Winter Ball. Guests are invited to make a lighted costume or to accessorize their snowsuit with a touch of light for the Ball, which will feature lighting effects, performances by artist and poet Moe Clark (from Calgary) and traditional music trio Ten Strings and a Goat Skin (from Prince Edward Island), as well as a snow dance party with a local DJ. This is merely a glimpse of what's in store!

Follow Winterlude on Twitter @Winterlude #Winterlude and on Facebook.

To find out more about Winterlude, call one of the following numbers: 613-239-5000, 613-239-5090 (TTY), 1-800-465-1867 (toll free) or 1-866-661-3530 (TTY toll free). You can also visit the website at www.winterlude.gc.ca.

The 36^th Edition of Winterlude
January 31 to February 17, 2014

Get set for the 36^th Winterlude, the Capital's winter celebration! This family-friendly festival transforms Canada's Capital Region into the ideal destination to celebrate Canadian traditions in wintertime.

The Department of Canadian Heritage is busy planning an exciting line-up of events with something for everyone. Winterlude 2014 activities will take place at Crystal Garden in Confederation Park, at Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, on the Rideau Canal Skateway, and at various partner sites.

Crystal Garden in Confederation Park, Ottawa
"Memories" carved in ice!

Witness a fusion of art and ice at Crystal Garden and discover a world of memories. Located in Confederation Park, this spectacular display of crystalline ice sculptures will take your breath away. Come admire this icy world of wonder at night, and discover an outdoor urban dance scene like no other. Some of the highlights include:

• Opening Ceremony: Winterlude's Great Winter Ball;
• 27^th International Ice-Carving Competition;
• Winter Memories: Wooden Cabin Village public art exhibition;
• Stand-Up to Bullying Comedy Hour with Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh and Patrick McKenna; and
• Sub-Zero DJ Nights, including an East Coast kitchen party!

Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau
Winter sports and games — with the Ice Hog Family!

Presented by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau, Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau is the site of North America's biggest snow playground, and the home-away-from-home of the Ice Hog family, Winterlude's furry mascots. Outfitted with larger-than-life snow slides, Snowflake Kingdom provides enjoyment for the young and the young at heart. Here are a few highlights:

• Super Slides: snow and tube slides
• voices of Yukon performers and Team Yukon-Canada snow carvers
• Aboriginal Village interactive exhibit
• XTREME Zone: zip line, pedal go-carts, bungee trampoline and giant maze

The Rideau Canal Skateway
Celebrating 44 seasons of skating!

This winter kicks off the 44^th skating season on the Rideau Canal Skateway. Set in a UNESCO world heritage site, the world's largest skating rink will host a variety of activities, so sharpen your blades for a unique Canadian outdoor winter experience. During Winterlude, the Rideau Canal Skateway will be centre stage for several events, including:

• 31^st Annual Winterlude Triathlon;
• 34^th Annual Accora Village Bed Race;
• Giant Tiger Interactive Hockey Zone.

Programming Partners
More partners, more diversity, more fun!

For the 36^th Winterlude, more than 90 programming partners have come together to offer visitors a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities aimed at animating the Capital like never before. Here is just a sampling:

• Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival;
• Cracking Up the Capital Comedy Festival;
• Northern Lights 2014: Business and Cultural Showcase;
• Ottawa Fashion Week;
• Gatineau Winter BeerFest
• Winterman Marathon and Marathon Relays;
• Ski and Snowboard Rail Jam Competition;
• Snow'Art - Snow Sculptures in the ByWard Market;
• German-Canadian Graffiti Jam;
• Downtown Rideau BIA's CHILL FACTOR;
• Cool Science Saturday;
• and much, much more including a series of culinary experiences!

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, Veterans Affairs Canada, Parks Canada, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Embassy of Mexico in Canada, National Defence and the Canadian Forces, Canadian Museum of Nature, Société de transport de l'Outaouais, OC Transpo, OLG - Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Enbridge Gas Distribution, Giant Tiger, and many others, including support of the Region's hospitality industry. Special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time, talent, and energy during the Capital's winter celebration.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage