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Winterlude Festival
PETE GLADDEN
Pete’s World
Published: February 13, 2023
In this today’s column I’m going to take a step back from my normal menu of subject matter - exercise, fitness, endurance training, road racing, adventure, etc. - and talk instead about a topic that’s a bit more sedate, a bit more on the kick-back-and-slow-it-down side of life.
So for the moment let’s put the brakes on elevating that heart rate and breaking a good sweat and instead let’s talk about a nice little winter vacation getaway, one that involves nothing more than a bit of casual walking, a splash of fantastic dining and a large dose cosmopolitan ambiance.
Now don’t get too far ahead of me here, thinking I’m going to offer yet another take on yet another Florida vacation destination. Quite the opposite actually, because even as we’re experiencing shorter days, colder weather and a monochromatic world up here in northeast Ohio, I’m suggesting you consider going further north, up to the Great White North itself…Canada.
You heard me right, I said Canada, and I’m recommending the wonderful Winterlude Ottawa festival as your wintertime getaway. This year’s 2023 event runs until February 20 in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa.
Debuting in 1979, the Winterlude festival is one of eastern Canada’s biggest, grandest and most popular winter events, attracting as many as 600,000 people each year. And don’t presume I just pulled this little beauty out of a Canadian travel mag, or willy-nilly off the Google machine.
Nope, I’ve been to Winterlude twice, and I’ve had such a blast up there that I’m contemplating a third visit this February.
Winterlude’s a three-week series of celebrations that involve food, music, ice sculptures, food, street performers, ton of shows, oh and did I mention food? I’m telling you, the Ottawa restaurant scene coupled with Winterlude’s food vendors make this festival a gastronomic Winter Woodstock.
Now when I’ve gone to Winterlude, I made sure to base myself as close as possible the Rideau Canal, around which reside all sorts of great restaurants and cool activities. What’s more, during event weeks the Rideau Canal becomes the central focus, because when frozen it’s the largest natural ice skating rink in the world - as designated by Guinness World Records. It stretches 4.8 miles, from downtown Ottawa to beautiful Dows Lake. And at night the Rideau’s lit up like a massive glittering promenade.
So if you’re an ice skater you’re in for an amazing treat because you can skate to your heart’s content up and down the bustling Rideau. Don’t have your own skates? No worries because there’s plenty of skate rental shacks along the canal.
You can also explore the environs of downtown Ottawa and the festival on foot, which is the perfect way to stumble upon any one of the hundreds of the diverse ethnic restaurants that make up the city center area.
And if going by foot isn’t for you, you can board one of Winterlude’s complimentary Sno-Buses that ferry people to and fro the festival’s official sites. You can also drive to events where you’ll find parking that’s free and plentiful, but be aware that the lots fills up fast.
Okay, so just maybe I’ve got you thinking of heading north of the border…but you’re worried about the cold weather.
Well, Ottawa weather can swing just as drastically as the weather swings here in northeast Ohio.
Nonetheless, I’d make darned sure you pack some good outdoor recreational clothing.
Heck, I break out my winter backpacking gear (woolen mittens, ear warmers, fleese, polypro, waterproof Gore Tex shells, etc.) when I visit Winterlude.
By dressing in layers you’ll be able to fend off any of the frigid arctic air masses that might happen to drift over this beautiful Canadian Capital city. But even if it is cold, many of the Winterlude’s outdoor venues offer complimentary hot chocolate at some really wonderful campfire warm-up stations.
I think the thing that keeps drawing me back to Winterlude is the fact that it tends to bring out that kid in me, the one who once reveled in the splendor of winter. And at this festival I can still relive those winter wonderlands of yesteryear, then get warm and cozy with a great meal and a heavenly glass of pinot noir.
I call that the best of both worlds. Cheers to you Winterlude.
The Ottawa Winterlude website, which includes a calendar of events, can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/winterlude.html