Winterlude wraps this weekend

Ottawa's iconic celebration of winter is coming into the home stretch, with no shortage of activities this Family Day long weekend.

For many people, it isn't really a trip to Winterlude without a trip to the Snowflake Kingdom, in Jacques Cartier Park.

“There's an obstacle course for kids to go through, they can learn to ski or snowboard,” said Denise Leblanc, Canadian Heritage spokesperson. “There's also this super-cool zipline, with the beautiful view of Parliament.”

There are also newer things to check out, like the interactive lighting around the ice sculptures on Sparks Street, as well as Saturday and Sunday's Night Lights, an art and light festival on Preston Street.

“There are illuminated installations, DJs, fire and glow performances,” said Leblanc.

Winterlude continues until Family Day, on Monday, February 17.  A full calendar of all Winterlude events is on Canadian Heritage's website.

Some other highlights from the final weekend of Winterlude:

40th Accora Village Bed Race for Kiwanis in the ByWard Market
Saturday, February 15, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the ByWard Market, Ottawa
Fifty teams will race at top speed down a 50-metre course in modified beds. There are also competitions for the best fundraiser, best costumes and best-decorated bed.

BIG BANG Festival at the National Arts Centre (NAC)
Saturday, February 15, from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 16, from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, February 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The BIG BANG Festival transforms the NAC into a joyful musical maze, full of adventures in sound to explore. Activities, festive concerts, surprise performances and strange sound machines will be in every corner of the building, with a feast for your eyes and your ears.

Canadian Ice Carvers' Society (CICS) ice carving challenges on Sparks Street
Saturday, February 15: noon to 1:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Sunday, February 16, from noon to 2:00 p.m., carving demo from 3:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
New ice sculptures will be in the spotlight as Canadian ice carvers battle it out in a friendly speed tournament on Saturday. The CICS Carving Demo on Sunday will demonstrate a few tricks and secrets from the experts.

Cool Science Saturday at the Canada Science and Technology Museum
Saturday, February 15, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Demonstrations, experiments, workshops, and the challenges of cold weather exploration are all part of the day-long family experience.

Night Lights at the Adult High School parking lot, Preston Street
Night Lights is a creative Art and Light Festival designed by local art duo Dems and Doll, in partnership with the Preston Street BIA.
Saturday, February 15, evening
Sunday, February 16, evening