Winterlude's outdoor activities resume today after an extremely cold start to the festival
Winterlude's outdoor winter attractions opened to the public on Saturday, one day after the extreme cold weather forced the cancellation of all outdoor activities on the opening day of the winter festival.
Hundreds of people packed Winterlude sites in Ottawa and Gatineau for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I got to do the obstacle courses, snow tubing, paint my face," said Claudia while at Jacques-Cartier Park.
"Maple taffy, got to have it every time we come here," said another person.
The Winterlude National Ice-Carving Championship kicked off on Sparks Street at 10 a.m., while the Snowflake Kingdom and all activities in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau at 12 p.m.
Winterlude returns to Ottawa and Gatineau this weekend for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the festival got off to a cold start, with temperatures of -27 C forcing organizers to close the Snowflake Kingdom and postpone all outdoor events on Friday.
Speaking on Newstalk 580 CFRA's CFRA Live with Andrew Pinsent on Saturday morning, Canadian Heritage spokesperson Melanie Brault said cancelling outdoor events on Friday was a difficult decision.
"We had to make some pretty tough decisions yesterday but I think, in the end, it's really about health and safety," Brault said.
The ice-carving will go from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and continue Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
With events resuming Saturday, Brault reminded visitors that there are ways to stay warm.
"We have a huge refuge (at Snowflake Kingdom), like a heated, huge space, so families can take breaks in there throughout the day whenever they come to visit us at Jacques Cartier Park," she said.
Besides the Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park and the ice sculptures on Sparks Street, you are also invited to the free tours of the RCMP Musical Ride Stables on Saturday, the interactive light features in the ByWard Market, Snowphy Trophy in the Glebe and activities at the Canadian Museum of History and the National Arts Centre.
"We didn't know it was going to be this cold," said a woman on Sparks Street. "It's been fun. We've never been to Ottawa before."
"It's cold for the first half hour, and you get used to it," said another man.
Brault says Canadian Heritage is hoping Mother Nature will co-operate for the opening weekend.
"By Sunday, the weather is going to be so much better. Come on down to Sparks Street, you can see live carving," Brault said. "There will be 13 duos that will be carving for 20 hours, and the theme this year is Creatures of the Sea."
The Rideau Canal Skateway remains closed, and the National Capital Commission has said it will not open for the opening weekend of the Winterlude.
Winterlude runs until Feb. 20.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Leah Larocque.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.