Program for Winterlude 2016 Unveiled - Start Planning Your Winter Outings Today!

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 10, 2015) - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today unveiled the official program for Winterlude 2016, which runs from January 29 to February 15. She was joined by Randy Boissonnault, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage; His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa; and Cédric Tessier, Limbour district Councillor for the Ville de Gatineau.

An array of exciting activities-reflecting both the Capital Region and Canada as a whole-have been planned for Winterlude's three official sites. The Snowflake Kingdom in Gatineau's Jacques-Cartier Park will let visitors experience the Great Canadian North through fun winter activities, including snow sculptures, super slides, lighting effects, Inuit culture and sports. Be sure not to miss the Snowtime! 3D animation experience on Family Day weekend.

The Crystal Garden in Ottawa's Confederation Park is where the stage is set for an exciting start to Winterlude's 38^th edition. Canadian superstar Gregory Charles will lead this year's Kick-Off Celebration, starting at 7 p.m. on January 29. A new Sub-Zero Concert Series will liven up the park on Friday and Saturday nights. Visitors can admire the ice sculptures and the art installations showcasing our country's flora and fauna.

We are pleased to announce CIBC as an official sponsor of Winterlude and the presenting sponsor of the Rideau Canal Skateway. The Skateway will once again host some of Winterlude's classic activities, including the Winterlude Triathlon and the annual Bed Race. There will also be a wide range of activities presented by Winterlude's partners at other venues around the region.

Visitors are encouraged to make their way to the Winterlude official sites with the free OLG Sno-bus service.

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Program for the 38^th edition of @Winterlude (Jan. 29-Feb. 15) unveiled today!

Quick Facts

• Two of the official sites will focus on a specific theme: "Discover the Great Canadian North" in Jacques-Cartier Park and "Discover Canada's Flora and Fauna" in Confederation Park.
• Winterlude will also highlight milestones on the road to the 150^th anniversary of Confederation, including the 175^th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's birth, the centennial of women's suffrage and the Franklin Expedition. These activities will be held at Jacques-Cartier Park's Maison Charron.
• In Confederation Park, the National Research Council of Canada will present a majestic ice sculpture made from 100 blocks of ice to mark the organization's 100^th anniversary.
• In addition to CIBC, the official sponsors for this year's edition include Enbridge, sponsor of the skating shows and the free pancake breakfast at Marion-Dewar Plaza; and Metro Ontario, exclusive sponsor of the Winterlude Volunteer Program.

Quotes

"For the 38^th edition of Winterlude, we can look forward to a wonderful celebration of our country's nature, climate and culture. I invite residents and visitors in Canada's Capital Region to join in the excitement! Skate, slide, embrace the beauty of the ice and snow sculptures-and don't forget to come meet the Ice Hog family!"

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Associated Links

www.winterlude.gc.ca

Follow Winterlude on Twitter @Winterlude (#Winterlude), Facebook and Instagram.

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Backgrounder

The 38^th Edition of Winterlude

January 29 to February 15, 2016

Winterlude transforms Canada's Capital Region into the ideal destination to celebrate Canadian traditions in wintertime. Activities for everyone are taking place at the Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, at the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park and on the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa, and at various partner sites across the region.

Crystal Garden in Confederation Park, Ottawa

"Discover Canada's Flora and Fauna"

Witness a fusion of art and ice at the Crystal Garden and discover a world of memories. Located in Confederation Park, this spectacular display of ice sculptures will take your breath away. Come admire this icy world of wonder at night and discover a vibrant outdoor space filled with electrifying music from Canadian artists. Some of the highlights include:

• the Winterlude Kick-off Celebration, featuring Canadian superstar Gregory Charles;
• the Sub-Zero Concert Series featuring Canadian artists (Fridays and Saturdays);
• the 29^th Crystal Garden International Ice-Carving Competition;
• majestic ice sculptures representing the 100^th anniversary of the National Research Council Canada and the 40^th anniversary of the opening of the European Union's diplomatic mission in Ottawa and the EU-Canada Framework Agreement;
• the public art exhibit *fLORA and fAUNA*
• special ice displays, presented by the Canadian Museum of Nature and Parks Canada; and
• opportunities to explore the rich culture and daily lives of Aboriginal peoples.

Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, Gatineau

"Discover the Great Canadian North"-with the Ice Hog Family!
The Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, presented by Canadian Heritage and the Ville de Gatineau, is the biggest snow playground on the continent and the home-away-from-home of Winterlude's furry mascots, the Ice Hog family. Outfitted with larger-than-life snow slides and snow sculptures, the Snowflake Kingdom provides enjoyment for the young and the young at heart. A few of the highlights are:

• Super Slides: snow and tube slides;
• Inuit Circle with Nunavut Sivuniksavut;
• the XTREME Zone with dogsledding, ziplining, ATVing for kids and a winter merry-go-round;
• special lighting effects for an illuminated sliding experience;
• family entertainment on the Snowflake Stage, with special performances by Shilvi and Atchoum;
• the 175^th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Franklin Expedition, presented by Parks Canada;
• Snowtime! 3D;
• And more!

Rideau Canal Skateway

Celebrating 46 seasons of skating!

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:

• CIBC Skate for the cure;
• special performances at the OLG Sno-Bus Station;
• the Giant Tiger Interactive Hockey Zone;
• Library and Archives Canada presents "Let Them Howl: Images From 100 Years in the Women's Rights Struggle";
• the 33^rd Annual Winterlude Triathlon; and
• the 36^th Annual Accora Village Bed Race.

The National Capital Commission is custodian of the Rideau Canal Skateway and steward of the official sites.

Volunteers

There's still time to be part of the biggest winter party of the year! The Department of Canadian Heritage invites you to volunteer at Winterlude. Metro Ontario is proud to be the exclusive sponsor of the Volunteer Program.

Programming Partners

More partners, more diversity, more fun!

For the 38^th Winterlude, more than 50 programming partners have come together to offer a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, including:

• Lansdowne Park Snowscapes;
• Cracking Up the Capital Comedy Festival;
• Winter Fantasies on Brewery Creek;
• Gatineau Winter Beerfest;
• Winterman Marathon and Marathon Relays;
• Northern Lights 2016 Business and Cultural Showcase;
• Scavenger Hunt and more at Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum in Carp;
• SNOWMANIA in the Glebe;
• Cool Science Saturday;
• TechnoSnow;
• and much, much more, including a series of culinary experiences!

Canadian Heritage is proud to present Winterlude with the support of the following official sponsors and site partners: Ville de Gatineau, City of Ottawa, National Capital Commission, CIBC, OLG - Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Enbridge, Metro Ontario, Giant Tiger, Fairmont Château Laurier, The Westin Ottawa, Lord Elgin, National Research Council Canada, Parks Canada, Delegation of the European Union to Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa Redblacks Cheerleading and Dance Team, TakingITGlobal, Aboriginal Experiences, Historica Canada, Snowtime! 3D, Association des stations de ski du Québec, Société de transport de l'Outaouais, OC Transpo, and many others, including the 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.

Follow Winterlude on Twitter @Winterlude (#Winterlude), Facebook and Instagram.

To find out more about Winterlude, call 819-997-0055, 1-866-811-0055 (toll free) or 1-888-997-3123 (TTY toll free). You can also visit www.winterlude.gc.ca.