Conference kaosws::canada

    How about the "Winterlude" right here in Ottawa? Or are you stuck
    on the winter carnival?
    

    			  -< Ok I'll take it >-
    Ok, tell me about "Winterlude" in Ottawa. Where and when ? things
    like that...etc...
    
    Regards
    

    ...but I still would like to know about the Carnival in Quebec City.
    I will be going back there for the first time in 18 years, and I
    would like to get there during the festival.
    
    Does anyone know when the Carnival starts?
    
    
    
    thanks,
    
    B.
    

    Quebec is closer for me.  Looking forward to receiving all the
    neat information on the Carnival.  We are looking to go up just
    for the week-end.  Thank You
     

    
    I'm interested in both, also!
    

Can you give me any good places to stay while in Quebec City?
     
    
    

OKAY, here's my weekly touch-typing practice -- article in the Toronto
Globe and Mail, 20 January 1988. 

  "WEEKEND ESCAPES" by Helga Loverseed.

Christmas and New Year may be past, but the party season is by no means 
over.  January and February herald a round of winter festivals 
throughout Ontario and Quebec, and revellers are proving that the cold 
months can be enjoyed, not just endured.
  Grandaddy of the all is Quebec City's Carnaval, scheduled this year 
for Feb 4 to 14.  Caranval kicks off with a colorful opening ceremony at 
Bonhomme's Snow Palace, a huge structure built into the city's old wall 
on Dufferin Avenue.  It used to be made of ice until it became too 
expensive, so now they use blocks of compressed snow.  Bonhomme is the 
jolly snowman clad in a red toque and sash who is Carnaval's host 
throughout the festivities.  He pops up all over the place and presides 
over the proceedings with relentless good will.
   Bonhomme keeps the party spirit going -- not that there is much 
danger of it dying out.  Visitors fuelled on caribou, a lethal 
concoction made from alcohol and red wine, do quite nicely on their own. 
 And there's certainly no shortage of attractions.  More than 100 events 
are planned -- hockey matches, parades, snow-sculpting competitions, 
street parades, snowshoeing and a conoe race across the frozen St. 
Lawrence River.
   This gruelling "course en canots"involves about 15 teams of canoeists 
and is one of Carnaval's highlights.  The boatmen require great skill to 
pull their heavy craft across the ice floes, but the real challenge is 
to try not to fall into the frigid water.
   Unique skills are also required to produce the many sculptures 
exhibited during the International Snow Sculpture Competition.  More 
than a dozen people take part and although snow is a tricky medium, 
these consummate artists manage to shape it into all sorts of 
astonishing figures that range from horse-drawn sleighs to giant, winged 
angels.
   Snow and ice sculptures can also be viewd at Ottawa's Winterlude (Feb 
5 to 14), now in its 10th year.  in terms of number of events (there are 
now about 200) this festival has now overtaken Carnaval, but it not as 
sell known - perhaps becuase Ottawa is not generally thought of as a 
place to let one's hair down.
   During Winterlude, the capital takes on a festive air and is 
certainly far from dull.  The place is crowded with party goers (last 
year more than 750,000 showed up) and it jumps with non-stop activity.  
Events include firweorks displays, skating on Dow's Lake and on the 
Rideau Canal (billed as the wold's longest skating rink), balloon rides, 
live entertainment on indoor and outdoor stages, art exhibits, curling 
and hockey matches, a circus and horse races on the ice (the horses wear 
special studded shoes).
   Many of Winterlude's activities originally took place on or around 
the Rideau Canal but the festival is now so large that they are spread 
throughout the city and such neighbouring numicipalities as Nepean and 
Hull.  Hull's major attraction (apart from "homemade" ice sculptures on 
the streets) is Piruvik, the playground "village" made fom snow and ice 
in Jacques Cartier Park (opposite Museum of Civilization now under 
consturction).  This spot is a particular favorite with youngsters who 
love to tumble and slide among the slippery walls and tunnels. 
   Winterlude has such serious competitive events as the Jack Barber 
Challenge World Championship for marathon skaters (feb 12), the World 
Outdoor Barrel Jumping Competition (Rideau Canal and Fifth Avenue, Feb 6 
and 7) and the Lord Elgin International Curling Challenge (Dow's Lake, 
Feb 6 and 7), but many of the competitions are strictly for fun.
   Two of the looniest are the Perrier Waiters' and Waitresses' Race and 
the Great Canadian Bed Race.
......
For information about Carnaval and Winterlude, write to
 Carnaval de Quebec Inc.,
 290 rue Joly, 
 C.P. 8,
 Quebec, QC G1L 4T8
----
 Winterlude/Bal de Neige
 161 Laurier Ave W,
 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6J6      telephone (800)-267-0450 

    			-< Places to stay >-
    Several hotels right in downtow Quebec, they are : La Chateau Forntenac
    phone 418-692-3861, Loew-Le Concorde phone 418-647-2222, Hilton
    International-Quebec 418-647-2411 the above are luxury hotels, for
    economy try Holiday Inn-Downtown 418-647-261, Le Chateau de Pierre
    418-694-0429,Hotel L'Ermitage 418-694-0968. Be sure to bundle up
    last Carnaval I was there temperature reach a low of -16 degrees
    Cenlsius.
    
    
    Regards
    

    Does anyone have a schedule of events for the Carnival?
    
    thanks,
    B.
    

    Call the Canadian Tourist office on Boylston in Boston 617/536-1730.
    They have extremely helpful, getting literature to me on short notice
    (Fed Ex as I recall)
    
    Abe

Let's reopen this note for the 1989 events.

We've just made plane reservations to Ottawa for 4-6 Feb; no hotel as yet.  I'm
quite interested in skating along the Rideau Canal.  We might be bringing one
of the noters who replied in here last year along with us.

I'll be ordering info from the standard information sources next week.  Any
information local Kanata/Ottawa residents can provide would be appreciated.

/john

    Hotels downtown near the canal can be quite expensive so if you
    will have use of a car you could pick one that is a little distance
    away and probably save the cost of the car. Parking is generally
    not a problem.
    
    The calendar of events has not been published yet, at least not
    that I aware. If you are going to be here for opening day, you should
    attend the opening ceremonies; they are usually very good. If you
    are here for the end, you should try and see the harness racing
    on the canal. This is usually televised for Canada wide distribution
    for non-attenders.
    
    The ice sculptures on Dow's Lake are fantastic especially at night.
    These are in several categories from International Professional
    to Local Neighborhood Group. 
    
    If you plan to skate the entire five miles, practice before coming.
    It is a lot longer than you think. However there are rest areas,
    snack areas, etc so it isn't too bad. Don't worry about having to
    skate back as well; the city runs a shuttle bus up and down the
    canal; you can even get on in skates but it is not recommended.
    
    When you get some more info and want some specifics, post the questions.
                                         
    
    Roger

    RE: Le Bonhomme du Carnival
    
    Is there anyway to mail away for the little statuettes that are
    worn on jackets?  I have a few of them from they days that I lived
    in the city and i'd like to have this year's version.
    
    Also, I think that at the souvenir shops there is a special pin
    that comes out for each year's Carnival (limited edition, I guess).
    Is there anyway to order these pins?
    
    thanks,
    b.
    

>    If you plan to skate the entire five miles, practice before coming.
>    It is a lot longer than you think. However there are rest areas,
>    snack areas, etc so it isn't too bad.

Though not directly comparable to ice, I've roller skated as much as 30 miles
(from Hermosa Beach to Santa Monica and back), so I don't think it'll be a
problem.

I need to decide whether to replace my figure skates with hockey skates for
distance skating.

/john

>I'll be ordering info from the standard information sources next week.  Any
>information local Kanata/Ottawa residents can provide would be appreciated.

Well, on 27 December I called the number in the article for "Canada's Capital
Vistors and Convention Bureau" and asked them to send me information about
Winterlude/Bal de Neige as well as hotel info for Ottawa and city maps.

Nothing arrived.  So I got some hotel info from my travel agent and reserved
the *last* available room at Auberge McGee's.  (Their deluxe room w/ jacuzzi
was all that was left.)

Still hoping to get maps and other info, I called the Visitor's Bureau back;
the person who answered the phone wasn't even taking addresses for mailing
things, but took my phone number and said someone would call.  Noone has.

I've also called the National Capital Commission, Visitor and Heritage Services
and asked for maps and visitor info, but they weren't sure they could get it
into the mail before I leave to go to Ottawa in two weeks.

Winterlude was great fun last weekend; I recommend anyone looking for something
to do next weekend go check out the events.

Barrel jumping.  Impressive -- new world record: 16 barrels.  I'd never seen it
	before except in cartoons!

Luge Hockey.  Strange.  Imagine the mess if bumper car riders tried to play
	hockey -- well luge hockey is about like that.

Curling.  Strange sport.  Sweep-sweep-sweep!

It's only 5 km, not 5 miles, along the Rideau Canal from the Congress Center to
Dow's Lake; almost anyone should be able to do it easily -- and there were about
75,000 to 100,000 people out on the canal doing it last weekend.  Including one
idiot carrying his small child on his shoulders and weaving at high speed thru
the rest of the skaters.  Maybe he thinks he's a good enough skater he wouldn't
fall and kill his child, but someone else might snag a toe in a crevice and take
him down by falling in front of him.

Ottawa didn't appear to me to be the most exciting and vibrant city in the
world, but I wasn't looking for that for this trip.  The Hungarian, Mexican,
French, and Indian food I ate was all good.  No Beavertails, thank you.

/john

    It is really 8km (5 mi). I think you missed the final three km from
    Dow's Lake to Carleton University.
    
    If you thought last weekend was good, you should be here this coming
    weekend for the end of Winterlude. 
    
    Horseracing on the canal. Usually telecast nationally in Canada
    and it has been on Wide World of Sports at least once.
    
    I am not sure if they are planning the human chain for this year,
    but they have set world records for the longest chain twice now.
    
    I haven't seen the Waiter/waitress races yet( might have missed
    them) but they are fun also. Imagine someone on skates with a serving
    tray carrying full glasses and a bottle of wine going through an
    obstacle course of tables and chairs.
    
    You didn't mention the ice sculptures. What did you think of them?
    
    If we have convinced you to come back at some time, then I think
    we have succeeded.
    
    Roger
                                           

>    You didn't mention the ice sculptures. What did you think of them?

The Steinberg crystal ice sculptures in the park next to Laurier were very, very
good.  Especially at night, but it was too cold to take the time to enjoy them.

The sculptures on Dow Lake were reminiscent of the Crane Beach sand castle
competitions.  Fun to look at, but only a few were outstanding works of art.

/john

Ottawa's Winterlude '90 is scheduled for 2 Feb through 11 Feb.

I'll be there -- have already made my reservations.

/john

    re -1
    
    Don't forget the Winterlude Balloon Festival on the first weekend!!

I see that there hasn't been a lot of interest in this topic this year.

Maybe next year the interest will pick up, when Winterlude is moved from
the Rideau Canal to the Grand Canal.

/john

    My wife & I will be there, providing I get over the illness I currently
    have ...
    
    Scooter

	I'm going to Winterlude - well a part of it anyway.

	The National Capital Balloon Club (with at least two members
	from Digital!) is once again hosting the Winterlude Balloon 
	Festival from Feb 1 to 4.  We expect about 40 balloons and hope 
	to fly twice a day from Nepean (next city west of Ottawa).

	Let me know if I can help with any information about Winterlude.

	
	Garry

	PS:  Anybody else want to ban discussion of the Grand (or Grande) 
	Canal from this conference?  There is very little public information
	about this subject, so it must be Top Secret.  We should be 
	conservative (in behaviour, not politics - Down With The Talking, 
	Walking Chin!) and not discuss it in case the RCMP or CSIS is 
	monitoring!

      Not to arouse any undue suspicion but, the construction of the Grand
    Canal has been done entirely at night. You may draw your own
    conclusions from there. Suffice it to say that many people have been
    making light of whole thing for this very reason.....

    For more information send E-mail to CSIS::TOP_SECRET

    P.S. I thought of joining the National Capital Balloon Club but I was
    told that all the members were full of hot air, as it were....

    Glenn 

    Can anyone tell me the dates for the Winter Caraval in Quebec City for
    this year (1991)?  
    
    Thanks
    Debbie
    

Winterlude 1992 will take place next February 7th (Friday) through
February 16th (Sunday).

I've already made my hotel reservations for the first weekend.

/john

>>I've already made my hotel reservations for the first weekend.
    
    Fair warning!!
    
    Shall we try again with 'the lads' and head out to a pub?
    
    Pat (I still need to get that picture of the Grand Canal)

Yes!  This time I'll be getting in fairly early on Friday and not leaving
until Monday afternoon.

/john

    Have a good time John!
    
    And remember the words of JFK as he stood at the Berlin Wall:
    
    "I am a Jelly Doughnut!"
    
    Glenn

I won't help you doughnuthole this topic!

    Yeah, before the moderator takes some holier than thou attitude.

    I'm in shock!
    
    Stuart made a funny!
    
    ;-)

    Gee, what a misconception you must have of me ... 
    
    Stuart

    Didn't you see the wink??? 

    Maybe I should have a misconception.....

    As for the pills, they're Grand Canal Commemorative Chewables.

    8^)

    re .37
    
    Glenn, therein is the difference between our senses of humour.  I was
    trying to milk this already bad joke for a few more miles.
    
    Stuart
    
    

    Well at least you have a sense of humour unlike our American friends
    who only have a sense of humor.

    Holy Cow!

    That's udderly ridiculous
    
    Dairy try again?
    
    

    It behooves me to horn in on this conversation just enough to point out
    how silly it is getting.  I mean, I have a real beef with those who
    bully the language this way.  So I shall put a steak in the ground
    round about here (whack), and the next one who ribs anyone else about
    this subject will be on their way to the punitentiary.  We're just not
    in the moo-d anymore.  
    
    And now for the serious question of the day:
    
    	If a cow laughs unexpectedly, does milk come out its nose?
    
    Cheers...Gary

    We will now pause for a cowmercial ...
    
    It's Christmas, the mood is light, but it's probably time this note was
    brought at least a little back on track!
    
    Stuart 

    It's a good thing cows don't give rootbeer. Although I'd pay good money
    to see rootbeer fly out of a cow's nose wouldn't you?
    
    It shouldn't take much prodding to make this topic sillier. I herd this
    has happened before but hay.
    
    Glenn