New-fangled Activities Underway in Snowy Ottawa - Make the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau Part of Your Winterlude Outings!

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, Councillor Mathieu Fleury kicked-off the ByWard Market Business Improvement Area (BIA) and Downtown Rideau BIA activities for Winterlude, which will run from January 29 to February 15, 2016. He was joined by Jasna Jennings, Executive Director of the ByWard Market BIA and Peggy Ducharme, Executive Director of the Downtown Rideau BIA who shared their respective line-up of exciting events.

"Winterlude has never failed to please the young and young  at heart," says Councillor Fleury, "with activities scheduled across the National Capital region, I am especially eager to see the ByWard Market and Downtown Rideau come to life with its unique and entertaining schedule of events."

New to the roster and sure to liven up the ByWard Market are the server games! Teams from various ByWard Market restaurants, bars, and cafés compete in a series of amusing skill challenges for the title of server champions! And if you're looking to experience winter like a true Canadian, you may want to visit Ottawa's first outdoor Ice Bar at The Grand and take in the Super Bowl at Pub 101 for their first ever patio pig roast.

"Good music, good food and good entertainment are good for the soul," says Jasna Jennings, Executive Director, ByWard Market BIA, "Together with Downtown Rideau BIA and all our local businesses, we are able to combine all the elements to warm anyone`s cold winter day."

For those looking to get in from the cold, Downtown Rideau offers many activities.  The Chill Factor festival is an edgy celebration of culture, cuisine and couture in Ottawa's Arts, Fashion & Theatre District. For the first time ever, Top of the World and Burton present Burton Riglet Park where Kids can try out snowboarding on January 30th and 31^st.

Due to popular demand, the ByWard Market will be expanding their famous Stew Cook-Off into the weekend.  Visitors can enjoy all you can eat stews for $10 February 5^th and February 6th.  Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity judges, including chefs and RedBlack's Quarterback Henry Burris.

About the ByWard Market      

The ByWard Market is where Ottawa was born. Established by Lt-Col. John By in 1826, the ByWard Market is one of Canada's oldest and largest public markets. The legendary builder of the Rideau Canal; Lt-Colonel. By himself laid out the street plan of the Market, designating George and York Streets to be extra wide to accommodate the horse-drawn carriages that brought foodstuffs to the market every day.

Today, the ByWard Market is the original downtown. Open seven days a week, 363 days a year, this is where people come to be a part of it all.

About ByWard Market BIA

The ByWard Market BIA advances the way the community and businesses communicate and thrive. Serving more than 600 local businesses within the Nation's Capital's number one tourist attraction, the ByWard Market BIA's goals and objectives are to enhance and improve the area it represents for its residents and visitors. Through a number of marketing and event initiatives, the BIA promotes the Market as a safe place to live, shop, visit and operate a business. With the help of the municipality the ByWard Market BIA works diligently to preserve the unique character and rich heritage of the ByWard Market.

About Downtown Rideau

The importance of Downtown Rideau today as Ottawa's Arts & Theatre District and retail centre stems from its historic role as the primary commercial district of early Ottawa. Located just one block east of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal, Downtown Rideau did, and still does, provide a focus for the region's shopping, hotel and meeting activities. The proximity of Downtown Rideau's main street- Rideau Street- to many of the capital's local and national landmarks and attractions further enhances Downtown Rideau's role as the centre of activity in the City of Ottawa.

About Downtown Rideau BIA

Downtown Rideau is abundant with trendy fashion stores, exquisite restaurants, captivating theatres and a hub of cultural activity to please fashionistas and artists alike, or those simply looking to put a "little theatre in their life"!

SOURCE Byward Market BIA

Image with caption: "Jasna Jennings, ByWard Market BIA, Councillor Mathieu Fleury and Peggy Ducharme, Downtown-Rideau BIA, kicked off Winterlude activities in front of one of the many sculptures being carved. (CNW Group/Byward Market BIA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C7813_PHOTO_EN_608531.jpg

Image with caption: "Logo: ByWard Market BIA (CNW Group/Byward Market BIA)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C7813_PHOTO_EN_608524.jpg