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Classic Winter Fun!

February, Winter and Ottawa. Three possibly very frightening words when combined. However here in the Nations Capital we have the annual Winterlude festival to amaze, entertain and distract us from the cold.

Now wrapping up it’s second of three weeks, Winterlude is well underway and on route to being another huge success in its twenty-third year. Proof of this can easily be seen and experienced first hand and for free, at either of the two primary festival sites. This week we were just across the river in Hull, QC at the Jacques-Cartier Park. The park itself has been transformed into a true winter wonderland.

Upon entering the grounds you are immediately immersed into an almost unreal snow world. Among the many things to see and experience at Jacques-Cartier Park are the brilliantly carved snow sculptures. They are all made of white snow and then misted over with water to harden and keep form. Some of them are as big, if not bigger, then your average house. Amongst such stunning works is a fully detailed and true to word “snow fort” and two giant “Ice Hogs” (the official mascot of the Winterlude festival). Also hard to miss is a breathtaking mountain side landscape collage paying homage to mountain climbing built into the side of one of the giant ice slides.

Truly the Jacques-Cartier Park has been turned into a dream come to life for any child. In addition to the stunning works of snow sculpting, the park offers children of all ages countless fun and exciting opportunities. Among such is the Ice Hog band who perform live musical shows on the snow flake stage. Of course the highlight of Winterlude for any child is its trademark giant ice slides. The fun doesn’t end there however. There are numerous other games and snow structures to occupy the kids attention and when their finally ready for a break Winterlude offers some of the worlds best, and Canada’s most famous, winter treats and food.

Representatives from the Canadian Coast Guards and Army Rangers were also on site by the water front. For both young and old, they have a wide range of displays, equipment and vehicles for your inspection. They are also offering demonstrations and simulations of some of their winter practices, exercises and training.

RogersTV 22 & 23 were on site for live tapings of their Ottawa Daytime Shows.

If all the food, sights and physical fun wasn’t enough to keep peoples attention, with both the local French and English Rogers Ottawa Daytime shows on location people had a chance to get on television and watch a couple of live productions in action.

So get out to the Jaques-Cartier Park before Winterlude ends next week and have some fun, and remember, there are no age restrictions on those slides!

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