| Confederation Park is one of the main centres | | | | Confederation Park is hosting the Casino du |
| of Ottawa's Winterlude Festival, and what was | | | | Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden, an outdoor |
| excellent for us was that we were staying | | | | entertainment venue that includes the Crystal |
| right across the street at the Lord Elgin | | | | Lounge, a variety of food vendors and outdoor |
| Hotel. So all we had to do was literally | | | | sculptures.When we headed out on Saturday |
| cross the street and we were right in the | | | | morning, we walked right into the ice carving |
| heart of the action.Winterlude is Ottawa's | | | | competition where 7 or 8 ice carvers were |
| winter festival, organized by the National | | | | working on frozen blocks of ice, using a |
| Capital Commission. It brings together | | | | variety of electric and hand tools to give |
| exciting events and activities for the whole | | | | shape to the creatures of their imagination. |
| family and most of the activities are free of | | | | |
| charge. Naturally, Winterlude is a big draw | | | | Chain saws were being used, electrical |
| for tourists: last year the festival | | | | grinding tools and hand chisels slowly but |
| attractived approximately 650,000 | | | | surely created recognizeable objects. Teddy |
| visitors.You would think that Ottawa is a | | | | bears, choo-choo trains and cartoon |
| city of bureaucrats, who maintain a stiff | | | | characters were coming to life right in front |
| upper lip at all times. Far from it, as we | | | | of our very eyes.Confederation Park also |
| had already seen during our Friday night | | | | hosts the Fire and Ice Culinary |
| outing to Fat Tuesdays in the ByWard Market, | | | | Demonstrations, and renowned chefs and media |
| Ottawans know how to party and Winterlude is | | | | personalities compete for the Winterlude Ice |
| a 2 week long excuse for everyone to get out | | | | Chef titles. |
| and celebrate winter.Winterlude is hosted | | | | |
| throughout the entire city, so here is a | | | | Another Winterlude location just minutes |
| summary of some of the main Winterlude | | | | away is the American Express Snowbowl, a |
| Locations: | | | | stage located right in front of the |
| | | | Government Conference Centre. |