Winterfest Weekend: Music, Magic, Fine Arts, Ice Carvings

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VANCOUVER—Just a year away from the 2010 Olympics, the Richmond Olympic Oval, the long track speed skating venue for the Games, will become the new host of the annual Winterfest Weekend on February 14 and 15.

The weekend is part of the six-week long Winter Festival of the Arts, which this year showcases dozens of art and cultural events across Richmond, an official Venue City for the Games.

“Richmond is committed to becoming an important centre for arts and entertainment,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie in a news release.

“The City has created a number of strategies to help spur the development of our arts community. This will provide new opportunities for artists and arts groups, make our community a more vibrant and exciting place to live and generate economic spin-offs that improve everyone’s quality of life.”

Designed to suit the whole family, the weekend promises more than indoor public skating with free rentals on the 400-metre Olympic Oval track and shopping for Olympic mascots. There will also be music, magic, a fine arts exhibition, and last but not least, food.

Outside the venue, ten champion ice carvers from across Canada will demonstrate their aptitude by setting up two gigantic, illuminated 10-foot-tall ice sculptures at the Riverside Plaza. At the Parade Park on the plaza, children get to do face painting and make balloon hats. There will also be costumes and props provided for participation in the children’s parade, which includes juggling lessons.

A total of 16 hours of live entertainment will be featured over the two days. On Saturday from noon to 9pm, the Petro-Canada Stage will present Juno-nominated rockers, the Brandon Paris Band, Richmond’s own Shanna Lynn, who sang at the opening of the Oval, and the 600-member Children’s Choir.

The next day from noon to 7pm, the focus will move to magic with famed illusionist Julianna Chen. Ms. Chen has displayed her talent in Europe, Asia and North America, winning the Chavez Memorial Cup in 2002 while in Las Vegas.

The remainder of the day there will be circus acrobats, a performance by Richmond Academy of Dance, Mike Battie, a juggling instructor, and Firebelly, a Vancouver-based performing troupe blending dance with fire and aerial acrobatics.


For more information, please visit www.richmondwinterfestival.ca