There was some concern earlier this past week when officials postponed the opening of the Bal de Neiges (Winterlude) in Gatineau for a day because they had to make more snow.
But the rowdy groups of screaming, happy children at Parc Jacques Cartier on Saturday were proof that organizers had made the right call.
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Under sunny skies, and warmish (for the capital region in February) temperatures, children jammed the tube slides, free games and activities in the “Bouts de chou zone” (Kids zone).
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Various members of the Ice Hog family of Winterlude mascots were busy high-fiving and low-fiving everyone in sight.
Things started a bit slowly on the Ottawa side, but by mid-afternoon things were rocking downtown, as partiers jammed Sparks Street and the surrounding area.
One of the popular features included the Winterlude Ice-Carving Showcase, which on Saturday featured Kevin Ashe and Ryan Hill creating a huge sculpture as part of the 25th Anniversary of Nunavut theme.
Colleague Ice carver Don Lowing was working on the Métis Life During the Bison Hunt sculpture as part of the showcase.
Organizers will be turning their attention to the weather in coming days.
Environment Canada is forecasting barely-freezing daytime temperatures for the next week, with a high of 4 C projected for next Friday.
That’s not good news for the Rideau Canal Skateway, for many years a central hive of Winterlude activities. The National Capital Commission was forced to close the canal temporarily due to mild weather.
There’s no indication when the facility will reopen.
Winterlude is on weekends until Feb. 19.
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