Winterloo | February 16-18, 2013

[Winterloo]

Ticket sales have started for Mardi Gras North! It's a fundraising gala taking place at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery on Saturday February 18th from 8 to midnight. Thanks to our sponsors Red Condominiums & Sports Properties International. Hope to see you all there!

Online Ticketing for Mardi Gras North powered by Eventbrite

[Danielle.Babcock]

Ice Dogs Festival Welcomes All



The 9th annual Ice Dogs Festival is right around the corner. Waterloo’s premier outdoor winter wonderland welcomes people and pups to participate in 2 days full of fun.

Committee members met Friday to discuss final details, and the project is smoothly on track. Feb. 18-19 the public is welcomed to gather at Waterloo Public square where all the activities can be accessed by foot.

The family friendly events include a petting zoo, an ice slide, dog sled rides, face painting, hockey, ice-skating, ice carving, mini putt and much more.

The unique and exciting feature of the festival is that the whole family is welcome, Rover too! Seeing all the breeds of dogs is an event in itself. Committee member Patti Brooks says seeing all the breeds is her favourite part of the event.

“It’s amazing to see the different breeds that come in, how they interact with each other. It’s the most beautiful display of any dog breed you could possibly imagine,” said Brooks.

And if you think your doggie is the cutest out of the bunch, be sure to enter him or her in Snap Waterloo’s Ice Dogs Festival Photo Contest. Snap is looking for creative pictures of your pet enjoying their time in the snow. You could win a grand prize of $250.

You can even get a professional photo taken with your pup to commemorate your memories at the 2012 festival for only $7.

To bring the heat, new to this year will be a chili cook-off. Have a bowl to warm up your day at the festival.

Things will get a little spicier the evening of Feb. 18 at the New Orleans themed Mardi Gras benefit. The gala benefits The Humane Society and next years Ice Dogs Festival. The evening will offer the 19+ crowd drinks, tapas style appetizers and a silent auction.

You can dance the night away to the Red Pepper Band, a Dixie style jazz band. Masks and beads will be available at the event. Tickets are still for sale at the BIA office at Waterloo City Hall. Use the family and friends codeword “Jester” for a special price of $75 for 2 tickets.

Despite the weird weather we’ve had this year, Brooks assures that no matter the weather, Ice Dogs will go on. So bundle up and enjoy a beautiful winter’s day in Wonderful Waterloo Feb 18-19.

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Visit the Ice Dogs website: http://www.icedogsfestivalwaterloo.ca/

Volunteers are still needed. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Sheila at sheila.mcconnell@uwaterloo.ca

For more information on the photo contest: http://www.snapkw.com/?option=com_sngevents&id=360063

[Winterloo]

Come to the Chainsaw Chili Contest this Saturday!

There's also a student/youth rate of $25 for Mardi Gras North, just enter promotional code "partytime". http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/2750136733

[Winterloo]

With the snow we got, it's perfect weather for this weekend's festival. There's lots of events for all to enjoy so make sure to stop by the UpTown Waterloo Ice Dogs Festival!

Download a program guide here.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Ice Dogs Festival 2012

Chainsaw Chili Contest

Angie's


McMullan's


Seven Shores and Princess Cafe (Judge's Choice Winner)


The Bauer Kitchen


The Embassy (People's Choice Winner)


Uptown21


Whole lot-a gelata


Crowds



Rope Board








Waterloo City Centre










Waterloo Public Square



Ice Mini Putt








Ice Slide





Sculptures

Button Factory


Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery


Chainsaw


Erb-Caroline



Scotiabank




Waterloo City Centre




Waterloo Public Square



Mardi Gras North








Cambridge Ice Hounds vs Kitchener Pirates

[luckee]

Friends from Toronto and St Catharines came here during the weekend to see the sculptures and enjoy the festivities but sadly many were obliterated by the "lowlife" who frequently crawl out of the caves to destroy that which others create...

Perhaps in the future the "sculptures" should be in a more visible area, a common venue for all to see as opposed to being spread out around town...some sort of security at least for a couple days might make the festival more lasting and enjoyable...some were up one day and destroyed the next...

[UrbanWaterloo]

Thanks for the feedback. The committee has it's wrap-up meeting tomorrow and I'll be sure to bring up your suggestions.

Sculpture placement is something that has come up before. It might look more impressive to have them all placed together, however we have to balance that with sponsors who prefer to have a sculpture at their location, and the BIA which hopes to get people walking around the entire core - so you're visiting the North and South end, rather than just congregating in the middle.

Security is definitely something that can be improved upon. We had a record number of volunteers this year, but we'd like to have even more next year. If you're interested in helping out feel free to contact the committee. Sheila McConnell is the volunteer coordinator.

The festival also had a record number of sponsors this year, but again we'd love to have even more in 2013. We had a lot of new events such as the Chainsaw Chili Contest, Mardi Gras North, the ice mini putt and expanding to two-days. Next year is the 10th anniversary so we'd like to expand upon a successful 2012. If you're interested in sponsoring or helping out, just contact the committee.

[UrbanWaterloo]

The committee decided today that next year all the sculptures will be placed in the public square with security.

We had a lot of great feedback, the UpTown restaurants loved being able to compete in the Chili Contest, so expect to see that event return in 2013. It also sounds like our lead sponsor, Sports Properties International, will be back again next year, so we'll be bringing back ice mini-putt.

People loved the hockey games (Siskins vs. Councillors & Cambridge Ice Hounds vs. Kitchener Pirates) so we're hoping to have a full schedule of hockey next year. If you have any interesting match-ups feel free to share them. One suggestion was the Kitchener Firefighters vs. Waterloo Firefighters.

If you have any suggestions for the festival or want to get involved by volunteering, running an event or sponsoring, just let us know. Hope to see you out for the 10th anniversary!

[luckee]

Glad to see the new changes being made for the next " Ice Festival"

I came back from a week of skiing in Whistler in January and was struck by the "magic of the evening"... the colourful lights draping the evergreens along the way...so I ask myself why were the coloured light removed from the Colorado Spruce in the public square?

If anything more lights would have added to that magic as evenings set in...and loving evergreens, its a shame to cut them down strip them and remove them so early in the winter.
Perhaps who knows , a permanent tree might be just the answer for that corner assuming LRT clearance.

Perhaps next year a concerted effort will be made to not only leave the lights on the tree(s) but add more and especially now that the sculptures will be in the square their "drama" might be enhanced with colourful lights as a background for each piece of art or spotlighted so as the hi light each one...some appropriate music would be nice as well..

[WaterlooNative]

Friends from Toronto and St Catharines came here during the weekend to see the sculptures and enjoy the festivities but sadly many were obliterated by the "lowlife" who frequently crawl out of the caves to destroy that which others create...

Perhaps in the future the "sculptures" should be in a more visible area, a common venue for all to see as opposed to being spread out around town...some sort of security at least for a couple days might make the festival more lasting and enjoyable...some were up one day and destroyed the next...

Did the warm weather have something to do with the longevity of the ice scultures? How long does a block of ice last in above freezing temperatures?

[Danielle.Babcock]

Family Day Weekend Kicked off With Ice Dogs Festival

Waterloo Public Square was transformed into a winter wonderland at the 9th annual Ice Dogs festival in uptown Waterloo. The festival breathed joy into the chill of winter, lighting up the faces of KW residents.

The community enjoyed a variety of actives, and of course the dogs themselves. Strangers chatted and laughed, petting eachothers dogs. The mix of dogs was astounding; breeds and sizes of all types were on display by proud owners.

Young or old, the festival had something for everyone. The kids were well entertained with crafts at The Button Factory, ice slides, face painting, dog sled rides and fire trucks.

The kids were in awe and excitement to see a fire truck up close, and to have an opportunity to talk with a firefighter. Captain Roger Hergott of the Waterloo Region Fire Services said they brought out two trucks for the event, each with crew of four or five.

“The best part for us is just meeting the people and seeing the reactions from the kids and the excitement and joy they get from climbing in the truck, seeing the equipment and talking to the crew,” said Capt. Hergott.

Meanwhile at another area of the event, all ages marveled at the beautiful ice sculptures, crafted right before their eyes. Artists chipped and chiseled away at a block of ice with a variety tools to create a masterpiece. Groups gathered to watch the process, and many were surprised to see a chainsaw as part of the artist’s toolkit.

Chilly festival goers warmed up with a unique treat; a hot baked potato, loaded with a variety of toppings. Those who really wanted to take the heat up a notch went to Chainsaw for the chili cook-off where samples were only a dollar.

The energy level and excitement was turned up a notch at the Ropeboard demonstration. Ropeboard uses a cable suspended in the air with a skateboard attached. Daredevils hopped on the board to demo stunts mid-air.

Tracy Harms went to the Ice Dogs festival so she could watch her brother Ropeboard with her son Aiden. She and Aiden enjoyed seeing all the dogs. Harms said the community event is a good thing for the region.

“It makes people happy, it’s something to do, and gets people out of their houses and into the cold,” she said laughing.

Other notable moments of the festival included: professional puppy photos, outdoor skating in the square, visiting with miniature horses, and street hockey. Next years festival will be the 10th anniversary of Ice Dogs.

[Winterloo]

The countdown is on - just 32 days to the start of this year's festival. There are a few changes ahead for the 10th anniversary - including a name change to Winterloo! More days (3!), more events, and lots of great family fun! Mark your calendars, and we'lll see you in UpTown February 16th-18th, from 11am-3pm. Check out our website at www.winterloo.com for all the details!

Want to get involved in this year's Winterloo Festival? It's Feb. 16-18, & we're always looking for great volunteers! http://winterloo.com/volunteer.php

[Bristolman]

Looking forward to this years festivities!

[Winterloo]

Winterloo celebrates the 10th Ice Dogs Festival with expanded program
January 29, 2013 | Winterloo Organizing Committee



[WATERLOO] – Waterloo Region families will get a chance to shake off the winter blahs this Family Day weekend at one of the area’s top winter festivals - Winterloo – The 10th Annual Ice Dogs Festival!

With the Ice Dogs Festival celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, it’s getting a new name - Winterloo. A fun-filled family event, it has grown to a weekend long festival that offers something for everyone. Come on out and enjoy all the great events on offer, February 16th - 18th, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., throughout UpTown Waterloo.

This year’s festival will offer up Ice carving competitions, a Chili cook-off featuring some of UpTown Waterloo’s top eateries, public skating at the Waterloo Public Square, dog sled rides, train rides on Waterloo Central Railway, and much, much more. There will be children’s activities at the Button Factory, story time courtesy of Waterloo Public Library, the Cambridge Ice Hounds will take to the ice in the public square, and, in a fun-filled road hockey competition, the Waterloo Siskins will take on Waterloo City Councillors. Come on out and cheer them on!

“This is an amazing event that’s great for the whole family,” said Winterloo’s Organizing Committee chair, Tracey Weiler. “We’ve expanded the festival to all three days of the Family Day weekend, and added some new activities to celebrate the Ice Dogs’ 10th anniversary. There is definitely something for everyone at Winterloo!”

[Winterloo]

Are you going to the Chili Cook-off at Chainsaw this Saturday?

[Winterloo]

Be sure to check out our full schedule for this weekend - remember the festival is all 3 days this weekend, and there's something special every day!

Saturday Highlights:

• Chili Cook-off, 12:30-2 pm at Chainsaw - try samples from all 7 restaurants for $5; vote for your favourite!!
• Ice carving competition all day at the UpTown Public Square!!
• Boot Hockey, Siskins vs. Councillors, at the Public Square, 11:30 am-1pm.
• Interested in local history? There's a great UpTown Winter Walk, Saturday and Monday, starting at the Information Booth in the Public Square at 11 am.

[UrbanWaterloo]

February 16, 2013












Ice Slide












Ice Carving


















Chili Cook-off



Huether Hotel




McMullan's


Angie's Kitchen


Jane Bond


Princess Cafe


Relish Cooking Studio











Overview






Ice Sculptures

[Railpast]

Chased it yesterday Waterloo to Elmira and back.. Weather was iffy but you take what you can get. Hope you enjoy it.



Thanks for looking

--
Walter Pfefferle
Beachville Ont
railpast.com