OTTAWA, Jan. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, invites you and your whole family to Winter Celebration on Saturday, February 9, 2019, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Rideau Hall.
This year, Winter Celebration at Rideau Hall is officially part of Winterlude. Young and old alike will have fun outside while taking part in winter sports such as skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and curling on the grounds of the official residence and workplace of the governor general. This will also be an opportunity to discover how other countries spend the coldest months of the year while enjoying traditional foods and activities. Plus, visitors will be able to take a free shuttle from the ByWard Market to get to Rideau Hall.
Also this year, visitors will be able to learn about winter camping and outdoor survival techniques, put their creativity to the test with snow painting and snowman building, and take advantage of the new skate sharpening station.
All activities are free of charge. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Ottawa Food Bank and Moisson Outaouais, or articles of winter clothing for the Snowsuit Fund.
Activities
Animals in Winter: Discover how farm animals adapt during the winter. Presented by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.
Bandy: This precursor of modern ice hockey will engage participants in a form of field hockey on the skating rink. Presented by the Embassy of Sweden.
Breathing on Mars: Could humans breathe on Mars? Learn about which elements make up the atmosphere on Mars. Presented by the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.
Canada's Protected Heritage Areas: Through hands-on activities, learn about the richness of Canada's protected heritage areas. Presented by Parks Canada.
Curling: Learns the ins and outs of this historic sport. Presented by the Ottawa Valley Curling Association.
Girls First Program: Through winter-themed activities, learn about how Guiding is helping girls and young women participate in and drive change for a better world. Presented by the Girl Guides of Canada.
Hospitality: Get tips from the Governor General's hospitality experts on how to receive guests for special occasions.
Jumbo Jenga: Play a game of Jumbo Jenga with friends and meet Parka the beaver. Presented by Parks Canada.
Kicksledding: Try out this traditional means of Nordic transportation, which features a chair-mounted sled. Presented by the Embassy of Finland.
Meet Team Canada Olympians: Meet Team Canada Olympians and their mascot, Komak, as they participate in the various activities offered on the grounds. Presented by the Canadian Olympic Committee.
Musical Performances: Enjoy the sounds of local bilingual band Highway Sunrise.
Norway Giant Ski: Strap on bindings on giant skis that hold eight adults at one time and attempt to ski in unison, without falling over or stopping. Presented by the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
Nunavut Traditions: Students from Nunavut Sivuniksavut School will share their Inuit culture and language through drumming, dancing, throat singing and winter activities.
Obstacle Course and Winter Camp: Learn about how a military camp is set up for winter and take part in military-style training exercises through a fun obstacle course. Presented by the Governor General's Foot Guards.
Outdoor Skating Rink: Bring your skates, lace up in the Winter Pavilion and skate on Rideau Hall's skating rink, now refrigerated.
Skate Sharpening Station: Get your skates sharpened to ensure a smooth glide on the ice. Presented by the Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario.
Snow Hockey: Enjoy a friendly game of Canada's national sport on snow with mini hockey sticks. Presented by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE).
Snow Painting: Snow is the perfect blank canvas for your creations.
Snowball Challenge: Children of all ages are invited to try and knock the E.U. teddy bear's hat off his head with snowballs. Presented by the Delegation of the European Union in Canada.
Snowman Building: Decorate your very own snowman with top hats, buttons and carrots provided by Rideau Hall.
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing: Explore the grounds of Rideau Hall on a snowshoeing or cross-country ski trail. Snowshoes and skis will be provided.
Storytelling and Hygge: Children's stories by Danish author Jacob Martin Strid will be read aloud in a "hyggelig" atmosphere. Presented by the Embassy of Denmark.
Survive Outside: Learn how to plan and prepare for winter outdoor activities. Presented by Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue.
Three-legged race: Challenge your friends and family to a three-legged race. Presented by the Embassy of the Czech Republic.
Touch a Truck: Get a close-up look at a variety of winter vehicles used on the grounds of Rideau Hall. Presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC).
Tours of the Residence: Visit the State rooms where the governor general fulfills official duties, welcomes dignitaries and honours Canadians.
Wagon Rides: Climb aboard a horse-drawn wagon for an old-fashioned ride around the grounds.
Winter Camping: Discover a real winter camp with tents, shelters and outdoor cooking.
Presented by Scouts Canada and the Association des Scouts du Canada.
Winter Science Blast: Witness a breathtaking fire tornado demonstration and try hands-on experiments. Discover how well insulated your winter gear is using the thermal camera, buzz your way through our maple leaf game or try to keep your balance on a gyroscope platform. Presented by the Canada Science and Technology Museum.
Warm Hugs: Winterlude's official mascots, the Ice Hog family—Papa, Mama, Noumi and Nouma—will be on hand to offer warm hugs to children and adults alike.
Access to site and parking
***NEW*** A free shuttle bus will run from the corner of Sussex Drive and Clarence Street (in the ByWard Market) to Rideau Hall every 25 minutes.
Visitors are encouraged to walk or use public transportation or taxis to get to Rideau Hall. Limited free parking will be available on the streets in the surrounding neighbourhood. For guests with restricted mobility, limited parking spaces will be available on the Rideau Hall grounds via the Princess Gate. For more information, visit gg.ca/RideauHall or contact us at 1‑866‑842‑4422 (toll-free), 613‑991-4422 or at [email protected].
Partners
This event is made possible thanks to the generosity and participation of: Association des Scouts du Canada, Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Canada Science and Technology Museum, Canadian Olympic Committee, Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario, Delegation of the European Union in Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage, Embassy of Austria, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Finland, Embassy of Iceland, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Embassy of Mongolia, Embassy of Slovenia, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy of Turkey, Girl Guides of Canada, Governor General's Foot Guards, Moisson Outaouais, National Capital Commission, Ottawa Food Bank, Ottawa Valley Curling Association, Ottawa Volunteer Search and Rescue, Parks Canada, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Scouts Canada, Snowsuit Fund and YMCA.
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SOURCE Governor General of Canada
Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-9324, 613-668-1929 (cell), [email protected]
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