Silver Skate Festival, Feb 15 - 18, 2013

Entering its twenty-third year, the Silver Skate Festival is the longest running winter festival in the City of Edmonton.  The festival is rooted in the Dutch tradition of a love of the outdoors and the pleasure of experiencing the cultural and aesthetic beauty of winter but in recent years the festival has exploded into an extravaganza of art, culture, recreation and sports programming.   This is no small feat and would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and in-kind contributors.  Take the time to visit our sponsor page and support the businesses that support the Silver Skate Festival.  It is amazing what we can accomplish together as a community.   

Festival Programming will include a wide variety of free events and activities to include free programming by River Valley Programming, our epic ice slide, family snow sculpting, figure skating demonstrations, roving performers, horse drawn sleigh rides, the Cessco Snow Sculpture Garden, Night Works in the Park:  a multimedia extravaganza, the Silver Skate Folk Trail, two evenings of fire sculptures and our Heritage Village will feature a rich tapestry of heritage performers.

This year's sporting and recreation events will include the Edmonton Winter Triathlon, long blade skate races and the Kortebaan, a traditional Dutch long blade sprint race.

(courtesy of http://www.silverskatefestival.org/homepage/the-festival)

 

Edmonton Valley Zoo Family Day Fun - Arctic Ambassador Day

Date: Monday February 18, 2013
Time: Noon–4pm
Bundle up your family; beat the winter blues and “Get Closer” for some Family Day Fun! Stay warm while you visit the indoor petting zoo, have your face painted or participate in the Animal Families scavenger hunt. Visit our free photo booth to take home a family memory. Learn why Edmonton Valley Zoo is an Arctic Ambassador Centre for Polar Bears International.

(courtesy of http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/edmonton_valley_zoo/event-days.aspx)

Family Day Winter Fete at the Legislature - Monday, February 18, 2013 Noon to 4 p.m.

There will be something fun for everyone in your family and free hot chocolate for all to enjoy! Indoors in the pedway, explore the Legislature Building with a scavenger hunt and enjoy the kids' carnival including balloons, crafts, face painting, magic, puppetry, storytelling and dancing. If you would prefer to embrace the Alberta winter, celebrate outside with horse-drawn wagon rides, skating and a snowman making contest! The south grounds will also feature a heated tent where local sports celebrities will be on hand to sign autographs and take photos.

• Family Day Flyer
• Performer Bios
• News Release
• View photos from Family Day

(courtesty of http://www.assembly.ab.ca/visitor/annualEvents.html)

Blue Planet in Concert

A unique theatrical presentation of the most remarkable film sequences from the celebrated BBC/Discovery television series The Blue Planet. The wonders of our underwater world are displayed on a giant screen while the ESO and a 16 voice choir featuring members of Òran perform the dazzling Emmy Award-winning score composed by George Fenton with narration by Tommy Banks.
Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.

Saturday, February 16 at 7pm
Sunday, February 17 at 2pm

(courtesty of the Winspear)

That crazy skating jive

Lace up and get ready to swing and skate! The rink at City Hall will be bumping thanks to free skate rentals and the live music from Don Berner’s Little Big Band. The band’s jazzy sound will be broadcast from inside the building, where the Sugar Swing Dance Club is giving free lessons and dance demos.
When: Sunday, Jan. 27, 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: City Hall
Admission: Free
Information: 780-442-5311 or edmontonarts.ca

(courtesy of The Edmonton Journal:  http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/family/Family+Five+Swing+skate+City+Hall/7839935/story.html)

World Snow Day at Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Sunday, January 20 from 1 – 4 p.m.

Dress warmly, bring a mug and head to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre for an afternoon of winter fun!
Activities will include:

• Snowshoeing and cross country ski on the trails
• Toonie Ski Lessons at 1 pm and 2:30 p.m. (one hour)
• Toonie Snowshoe Walk at 2 p.m. (one hour)
• Campfire with hot chocolate and tasty treats

The Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival is a special guest for World Snow Day 2013.

• Find the Viking skiing on the trails to receive a special golden coin.
• The Birkie Vikings can help you plan to ski “the Birkie” on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.

 www.strathcona.ca/wildernesscentre 

Deep Freeze Festival

Deep Freeze Byzantine Winter Festival ushers in the Olde New Year in style on Alberta Ave, one of Edmonton’s most historic neighbourhoods, by celebrating winter’s best outdoor activities – skating, curling, snow carving, street hockey and even an outdoor mummers’ play – and the best indoor ones as well in the form of great eating, music and an arts market.

http://deepfreeze.artsontheave.org/