This large ice sculpture was erected in Confederation Park as a nod to the country's anniversary year.
While I was in the park, I heard the sound of drums, and caught a number of drummers on their way out.
These stilt walkers were also in the park.
Nearby were a pair of large ice sculptures, the first being a polar bear.
The second took a team of carvers several days to set up, and features a map of Canada carved into a wall of ice, with the bow of a boat protuding out. The display before it features details on a voyage being made this summer that will start in Toronto at the beginning of June, go up the east coast, through the Northwest Passage, and come around Alaska and down the west coast to Victoria by the end of October. Full details on this coast to coast to coast journey can be found at their website.
Here's something more suited for tomorrow, though tomorrow's post has enough pics. In late January I showed you the front window at the shop Boogie & Birdie, decorated for winter. It's been switched over to more of a Valentine's Day theme.
Gorgeous ice sculptures!
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot going on in the park. To walk on stelts in the snow is rather special.
ReplyDeleteSuch a festive time. Love the 150. Didn't realize Canada was that young.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
Canadians are the coolest folks!! i love the drums on the head, & the walking on stilts. what cool times. cold but so cool! looks like fun! ( ;
ReplyDeleteWalking on stilts in that slippery conditions, not my piece of cake ... ;-)
ReplyDeletewalking on stilts would be hard enough, then throw in some snow...no thank you!
ReplyDeleteGoodness these sculptures are getting bigger and more complicated William.. the polar bear is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard enough to walk on stilts on dry land but on snow?? They are bravery than I am. That map of Canada is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat ice sculptures. I like the polar bear and the map.
ReplyDeleteThe 150 sculpture is impressive. It's not detailed but is a great advertisement for our celebration.
ReplyDeleteYou guys CRUSH winter and elect good prime ministers!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed by the polar bear, very nice.
ReplyDelete@Linda: definitely!
ReplyDelete@Marianne: I know I'd have problems on stilts.
@Janis: well, the history goes back further, but Confederation began in 1867.
@Beth: we make the most of winter.
@Jan: I would definitely fall!
@Tanya: I expect they're well versed in going limp if they fall.
@Grace: there's another big one that they started building on the first weekend, which turned out beautifully.
@Sharon: it's quite well detailed, and looking at it again, each circle on it refers to the stops the ship will be making over the summer.
@Nancy: I do as well.
@Red: it is, yes.
@Cloudia: we did!
@Marleen: it is, yes.
Good Lord! What great fun. It looks like a wonderful on-going party!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which of your annual series I love more--Winterlude or the Tulip Festival!
ReplyDeleteGee, these ice sculptures are fascinating and piles of work!
ReplyDeleteMust be cold for the buskers!
ReplyDeleteI really like the map of Canada, it's pretty impressive. the polar bear is awesome and the people on stilts are pretty amazing and brave.
ReplyDeleteHow in the world do those guys on stilts walk in the ice and snow?!
ReplyDelete@Lowell: it's a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete@Norma: I love both.
@Jack: they're amazing.
@RedPat: definitely!
@Bill: that polar bear is standing up well under the weather, though it helps that temps have remained below freezing and that we've had mostly grey skies. Sunlight can dilute the transparency of ice.
@Janey: very carefully!
Amazing sculptures. Those stilt walkers must be very good to be able to walk on those snowy sidewalks.
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy the drummers.
ReplyDeleteThat second sculpture had a WOW factor.
ReplyDeleteGreat sculptures, amazing looking silt costumes...and lots of women drummers. Love it all! And Norma's right. It's hard to decide which is better, Winterfest or tulip time.
ReplyDeleteThe ice sculptures are simply spectacular !
ReplyDeleteLooks so wonderful event.
ReplyDeleteThose ice sculptures are amazing! There is always something interesting going on in your area.
ReplyDeleteThe stilt walkers on ice were most intriguing to me as I have enough problems walking on ice in normal shoes.
ReplyDelete@Lois: and they must be trained to know how to fall without getting hurt.
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: I did!
@Mari: it did, yes.
@Kay: I love both festivals.
@Karl: that they are.
@Orvokki: it is!
@Pat: we have a lot going on.
@Beatrice: I wouldn't be able to do it.