Perfect sunny weather brought families out to explore all the site activities - including the free skiing and boarding offered by our host venue, Edmonton Ski Club. Everyone enjoyed the welcome areas, visiting with neighbours and friends over tea, bannock, and hot chocolate.

Illuminations featured 4 unique spectacle events: The Dragon Luge, Dialogue, Flashpoint and The Rocket Sled. For these large-scale projects, the Winter Light teams used the large canvas of the snow hills to create unique displays of art and action.

Will Bauer’s Dialogue was a moving example of how people can create a living work of art together - interacting with a gorgeous mix of light displays to create poetry. (Direction: Will Bauer; Software Programming: Manj Benning; Interaction Development: Justin Love)

Ryan Wispinksi’s Snow Dragon was certainly a magical character living on the hill (those eyes, those teeth!), and she gave a truly thrilling ride for dare devil sliders! (Dragon design, sculptor: Ryan Wispinksi  Carving Assists: Larry Andreas, Mariann Sinkovics)

Captain Zoom’s attempted Rocket Sled across the North Saskatchewan was – alas! – doomed. His stunning take off was quickly followed by a fiery crash and burn. But his brave, tragic demise was redeemed when a beautiful angel lifted him to the sky in a shower of sparks. (Director: Tim Folkmann; Captain Zoom: John Ullyatt; Angel: Annie Dugan; Burning Man: Brandon Tyson; Ground Crew: Mile Zero; Crane Operator: Bernie Sandrowski; Pyro: Bob David, profx;  Lights: Production Lighting; Stage Manager: Nicole Piotrkowski).

During Flashpoint the slopes were buzzing with terrific freestyle, photography and media. Top young skiers and boarders came out to demonstrate their best tricks – and what a show!  All the action was captured by 3 photographers, and the best action/photo combos were awarded prizes. To complete the buzz, Ian Jackson projected a amazing media mix on the hill, intermingling images from the past and from the live action.

Winners: Flashpoint 2010

1st Place –  Freestyle: Jordan Whyte Photo: David Bloom	2nd Place – Freestyle: Spencer Simco  Photo: Walter Tychnowicz	3rd Place – Freestyle:  Photo: Codie McLachlan

(Project Leaders: Recreation Director: Matt Decore; Freestyle Coordinator & Prizing: Angus Sagan;  Media Mix & Photo Contest: Ian Jackson; MC: Jeremy Derksen)

The Chalet Lounge 
With thanks to the Edmonton Ski Club, Winter Light was able to move our show indoors and be part of the chalet’s hospitality.

Layla "Flockman" Folkmann and Lacey Jane refurbished the ESC’s fascinating photo exhibit, a visual homage to the ESC’s very lively history.  Then Dylan Toymaker’s crew transformed the space into an apres-ski chill out lounge. Pat Suave took care of the tunes.

And of course - Mona Campbell’s snack bar served up her famous tasty treats (all hail chili fries!) and frosty cold drinks to the festival crowd. Thanks to Todd, the ESC Board, Jeff, staff and all the people there who made the winter light audiences welcome - and got them suited up to enjoy the hill.

THE SEASON

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What a beautiful winter - and what a busy season of winter festivals!

Attendance doubled this year, from 62,300 in 2009 to 120,700 in 2010!  Thanks to everyone who ventured out to enjoy the winter festivals in 2010. 

Along with our festival partners Deep Freeze, Ice on Whyte and Silver Skate, we are thrilled and honoured that so many people are saying ‘yes’ to winter city culture.

 

THE FUTURE

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Winter Light will be back in 2011, with variations on some favourite themes (fire, light, action, welcome), new light projects, and new winter environments to explore. Enjoy your summer and see you next winter!

Your thoughts
We’d love to hear from you – what do you think about Edmonton's winters, the festivals, the city?

info@winterlight.ca

Watch for our 2010 Survey Monkey Project next week.

SPONSOR SHOUT OUT

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Big thanks to all the sponsors who stepped up and helped Winter Light achieve our production and marketing goals.

We know our funders and sponsors get many, many requests for support, so we truly appreciate their enthusiasm for the Winter Light initiative, and their commitment to make sure Winter Light becomes a success story for Edmonton. 

Thank You!

City of Edmonton
Edmonton Arts Council
Alberta Foundation for the Arts

CityTV
OMNI Diversity Television
Pattison Outdoor
Canadian Tire
Budget Car & Truck Rental
pocobrio

Edmonton Ski Club
Snow Valley
Canadian College of EMS
Barbecue Country
Snow Seekers
Guys in Disguise
FAVA
RSI Crane
Fast Fence

We’d also like to thank the Edmonton Arts Council (Board and Staff), the Winter Light Steering Committee, Ellen, Danae and the whole team at Civic Events, and our Winter community friends for all their support and generosity of spirit in guiding this project.

Contact the Winter Light Office:

w: www.winterlight.ca     p: 780-760-2229     f: 780-760-2263     e: info@winterlight.ca