About the Ice on Whyte Festival
Our mission: “To encourage the appreciation of art and culture for people to experience interactive outdoor creativity by producing winter and summer festivals.”
Our vision: “To be a premier festival producer on the world stage highlighting Old Strathcona as a tourist destination.”
Here’s our backstory…
The Ice on Whyte Festival officially began in 2003 when a group of local sculptors partnered with the Old Strathcona Business Association to create an amazing ice carving exhibit in McIntyre Park. Visitors came out in droves to enjoy the magical works of art in a winter setting.
In a few short years, the festival outgrew McIntyre Park and moved to the park, commonly known as Adventure or Festival Park, on 85 Avenue and 104 Street. A giant ice slide, an ice castle, a live entertainment tent, school programs and a children’s play area were added and in 2009, Ice on Whyte hosted its first International Ice Carving Competition.
Ice on Whyte is now home in the much larger End of Steel Park at the corner of Gateway Blvd and Tommy Banks Way.
During the Festival, visitors come to experience outdoor winter fun on the Giant Ice slide and the interactive Kids Zone and enjoy the International Ice Carving Competition, outdoor games, live music, food, fashion, hot beverages, skating and much more.
Ice on Whyte has been rated by Readers’ Digest as one of the top 10 winter festivals in Canada and is also the winner of the 2012 Alberta Pride Alto Award from Travel Alberta.
Ice on Whyte also produces Sand on Whyte in July. Sand on Whyte is currently a sand carving exhibit that happens in Old Strathcona during the Taking it to the Streets music festival and the Whyte Avenue ArtWalk.
The Ice on Whyte Festival is presented by the Ice on Whyte Festival Society, a CRA registered charity, that is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
The Festival has successfully grown through the continued support of many community minded businesses and organizations, and the dedication of volunteers, artists and a stellar production team.
[rotatingtweets screen_name=’@IceOnWhyte’ timeout=’5000′ show_meta_timestamp=’0′ show_meta_screen_name=’0′ show_meta_via=’0′]