Over three weekends next February, Ottawa’s Winterlude festival will mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard, the National Capital Commission announced Tuesday.
From Feb. 3-20, the winter festival will host its familiar attractions such as the Rideau Canal Skateway, snow sculptures in Jacques-Cartier Park and an ice-sculpture garden and competition in Confederation Park.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson and Marie Lemay, the CEO of the NCC, outlined the line-up for 42nd the popular winter celebration Tuesday.
The celebrations kick off Feb. 3 with fireworks, a light show and a “DJ dance party.” In addition, the Canadian Museum of Civilization will be offering free admission from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. that evening.
This year the mostly free, family-friendly event will also include youth photo exhibits from Dows Gallery as well as a series of heritage events such as the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Coast Guard as well as historical characters and interpretive events by Parks Canada.
Winterlude 2012 has also announced that for the first time the festival and skateway will be purchasing carbon-credits to offset the environmental impact of the festivities.
Winterlude activities will take place on the Rideau Canal, at Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park, and at Rogers Crystal Garden in Confederation Park.
This winter marks the 42nd season of skating on the canal. The world's largest skating rink will host many Winterlude activities, including:
• “Portraits on the Ice” presented by Library and Archives returns to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 featuring portraits of British officers, First Nations allies, and French-and English-speaking militia and colonists.
• 29th Annual Winterlude Triathlon, 32nd Annual Accora Village Bed Race and the 4th Annual Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Festival.
The NCC will host a number of activities, workshops and demonstrations at Confederation Park that showcase cultural and artistic diversity: BlizzArt, an outdoor gallery will feature public art that expresses the social, cultural and environmental views of Canadian artists; the Royal Norwegian Embassy will invite visitors to discover, from an authentic Sami Lavvu, the customs of Norway; and visitors can also explore Yukon through the talents of artists from that territory.
Through interpretation, demonstrations and games, Parks Canada will re-create the way of life of our ancestors in 1812. Maison Charron will be transformed into barracks from the war of 1812.