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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Bundle up, enjoy Winnipeg winter

10-week celebration to warm up season

By: Shelley Cook

Posted: 12/17/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Kevin Walters of Manitoba Homecoming 2010 wants Winnipeggers to bundle up in January and February for a 10-week event that will celebrate the frosty Winnipeg winter.

Walters, along with Festival du Voyageur, The Forks and Manitoba Lotteries Corp., launched Saison Voyageur Wednesday afternoon at McPhillips Street Station Casino.

The event offers Winnipeggers and visitors two months of winter activities is an effort to brand Winnipeg's winter season as a destination.

Walters said Saison Voyageur will be a way for Winnipeggers to enjoy the notorious winter and show the rest of the country that "we don't just sit around and hide in our basements in January and February, but that we will come out and enjoy the winter, and celebrate the winter."

Saison Voyageur will host the first of many events New Year's Eve at The Forks. Local performers, including Don Amero, Keith and Renee and the Retro Rhythm Review, are expected to take the Scotia Bank Stage.

Throughout January, Winnipeggers will be encouraged to participate in events such as 2010: The Concert, a two-hour event featuring the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and artists like Sierra Noble and Eagle and Hawk. People will also be encouraged to skate down the Assiniboine Credit Union River Trail from Jan. 8 to Feb. 28.

Saison Voyageur grew out of the Manitoba Homecoming 2010 campaign, but the goal is for it to become an annual event.

Saison Voyageur runs from Dec. 31 to Feb. 28, ending with the 10-day Festival du Voyageur in St. Boniface.

shelley.cook@freepress.mb.ca

Saison Voyageur events

Arctic Glacier Winter Park at The Forks: Come down to the official site for celebration this winter and slide down a toboggan shoot, shimmy through the ice obstacle course or take a leap off the professionally designed snowboard hill.

Dec. 31: Scotia Bank Family New Year's Eve at The Forks. This event will feature the official Manitoba Homecoming 2010 kickoff, with activities throughout the day, including crafts, outdoor fun, live entertainment and a fireworks display.

Jan. 2: The Concert: 2010. This $20 event at Centennial Concert Hall will feature 19 different artists, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Jan. 8-Feb. 28: Come out to the longest naturally frozen skating trail in the world.

Feb. 12-21: Festival du Voyageur. Bring the family out to Fort Gibraltar and enjoy live music, French-Canadian food and unique snow sculptures, created by artists from all over the world.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 17, 2009 B3

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