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01-28-2012 11:28 AM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
02-07-2012 02:38 PM
Unknown Author
Intern
Kitchener
Joined Jan 2012
10 posts
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 http://www.snapkw.com/?option=com_sngevents&id=360063
02-15-2012 03:06 PM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
There's also a student/youth rate of $25 for Mardi Gras North, just enter promotional code "partytime". http://www.eventbrite.ca/event/2750136733
02-18-2012 12:39 PM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
Download a program guide here.
02-22-2012 01:16 PM
Unknown Author
Moderator
Kitchener-Waterloo
Joined Dec 2009
5630 posts
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
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
02-22-2012 05:49 PM
Unknown Author
Village Member
Joined Mar 2011
88 posts
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...
02-22-2012 11:18 PM
Unknown Author
Moderator
Kitchener-Waterloo
Joined Dec 2009
5630 posts
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.
02-23-2012 09:51 PM
Unknown Author
Moderator
Kitchener-Waterloo
Joined Dec 2009
5630 posts
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!
02-24-2012 01:50 PM
Unknown Author
Village Member
Joined Mar 2011
88 posts
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..
02-24-2012 04:14 PM
Unknown Author
Town Member
Joined Sep 2010
303 posts
Originally Posted by luckee 02-28-2012 03:14 PM
Unknown Author
Intern
Kitchener
Joined Jan 2012
10 posts
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.
01-15-2013 04:17 PM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
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
01-16-2013 09:46 AM
Unknown Author
Village Member
waterloo
Joined Sep 2012
84 posts
01-29-2013 09:59 PM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
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!”
02-13-2013 03:19 PM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
02-16-2013 07:28 AM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Uptown Waterloo
Joined Jan 2012
8 posts
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.
02-17-2013 03:05 PM
Unknown Author
Moderator
Kitchener-Waterloo
Joined Dec 2009
5630 posts
February 16, 2013
Ice Slide
Ice Carving
Chili Cook-off
Huether Hotel
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McMullan's
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Angie's Kitchen
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Jane Bond
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Princess Cafe
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Relish Cooking Studio
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Overview
Ice Sculptures
Ice Slide
Ice Carving
Chili Cook-off
Huether Hotel
McMullan's
Angie's Kitchen
Jane Bond
Princess Cafe
Relish Cooking Studio
Overview
Ice Sculptures
02-20-2013 09:01 AM
Unknown Author
Hamlet Member
Joined Jun 2012
8 posts
Thanks for looking
--
Walter Pfefferle
Beachville Ont
railpast.com