2010 Arctic Winter Games Mascot Discovers Ancient Family History

The 2010 Arctic Winter Games mascot got a first-hand history lesson recently. Aluk, the young Pachyrhinosaurus met with visiting palaeontologists on the banks of the Wapiti River and witnessed a portion of the excavation of the Wapiti River Bone Bed.

Researchers from the University of Alberta and Grande Prairie Regional College excavated several large bone blocks. The two-week dig was led by world-renowned paleontologist Dr. Philip Currie, and wrapped up Friday with the helicopter airlift of two enormous Pachyrhinosaurus skulls.

The Wapiti River site is the second Pachyrhinosaurus bone bed to be discovered in Grande Prairie. The first was opened in 1983 and yielded a new species of Pachyrhinosaurus (Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai). The bone beds have become so popular with local residents that many consider Pachyrhinosaurus 'their' regional dinosaur.

Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, Joanne Ballance says that sense of ownership has ensured a warm welcome for the Games mascot in the Grande Prairie region.

"The prominence of similar bone beds through North America’s higher latitudes makes the pachyrhinosaur a fabulous ambassador that speaks not only to the history of our local region, but brings to light a common thread between some of the Northern regions participating in the Arctic Winter Games" said Ballance.

Scott Persons is one of several students working with Dr. Currie on the project. A native of North Carolina, Persons is now entering his second year of a Masters of Paleontology at the University of Alberta.

“I was surprised when I heard the pachyrhinosaur had been chosen as the Games mascot. Although the scientific importance of Pachyrhinosaurus has been known in the professional realm for a long time, it is not a famous dinosaur as far as the public goes.” Persons said, "but pachyrhinos are cool critters and they are definitely iconic to Grande Prairie. So, I hope Aluk’s popularity will also help promote the amazing paleontological work that has been done in this region and help generate support for all the work that still has to be done."

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2010 Arctic Winter Games One-Year-Out Celebration

Winner Announced for Theme Song Competition

Cultural organizers of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie are building momentum by announcing the winner of their Theme Song Competition.

In an effort to capture the International flavor of these unique Northern Games, the competition invited entries from anyone who has spent more than five years living North of the 55th parallel. After careful consideration of the many entries received, the selection committee decided on Grande Prairie’s own Kerry Hesse (nee Biegel) as the winning songwriter.

“As a songwriter, this was an opportunity for me to be a part of something that was so much bigger than myself,” says Hesse “I wrote the words to inspire and encourage people to give it their all and be the best that they can be.”

Hesse is from a musically talented family with deep roots in the Peace Region. Director of Culture Jackie Clayton says the selection committee was very impressed with Hesse’s entry entitled ‘Rise Up’.

“Kerry’s entry really exemplified the message we were hoping to get across with our Theme Song. We know that it will do a great job of inspiring the over 2,000 participants coming to Grande Prairie for the Games, as well as our local community in the eight months until we get there.” Clayton says the song speaks to the many ways individuals can ‘Rise Up’ and show their pride for sport, culture, and community.

In keeping with the youth focus of the Games, Wayne Ayling, Chair of Opening and Closing Ceremonies was tasked with ensuring the arrangement of the song had strong appeal to young people. Ayling looked to Shane Seward, a young musician heavily involved with the local music scene to involve other young artisits and come up with the arrangement of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games rock anthem.

The song will be featured at many events leading up to and during the Games - including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. It will be arranged for acoustic guitar, rock band, and choir. A wide variety of singers will be enlisted to perform the song.


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2010 Arctic Winter Games Theme Song Competition Winner to be Announced Monday

Organizers of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie are building momentum for the cultural
component of the Games, with the winner of the 2010 Theme Song Competition to be announced at a media conference Monday.

In an effort to capture the International flavor of these unique Northern Games, the competition invited entries from anyone who has spent more than five years living North of the 55th parallel.

After careful consideration by the selection committee, a winner was chosen and will be announced Monday, June 29th at 10:30am, at a Media Conference being held at the Games Office in Ernie’s Sports Plaza in Grande Prairie.

The song itself will remain under wraps for a few more days, and will be performed for the first time as a part of Canada Day celebrations at Muskoseepi Park. Director of Culture Jackie Clayton says the song, entitled ‘Rise Up’, fits the theme of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games ‘Dream Achieve Inspire’ very well.

In keeping with the youth focus of the Games, Wayne Ayling, Chair of Opening and Closing Ceremonies was tasked with ensuring the arrangement of the song had strong appeal to young people. Ayling looked to Shane Seward, a young musician heavily involved with the local music scene to involve other young artists and come up with the arrangement of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games rock anthem.

Media Interviews available:
Monday, June 29, 2009
Games Office in Ernie’s Sports Plaza
10:30am

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Arctic Winter Games International Committee Visits Grande Prairie

Just over eight months from the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie members of the organization’s International Committee will visit the region this week to check in with the 2010 Host Society.

Representatives from Alaska, Greenland, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and the Yukon will join those from Northern Alberta to tour some of the new sport facilities that will be used in 2010, and meet dozens of the volunteers and staff that will make the Games a reality in our community.

This is the fourth of six visits scheduled by the International Committee to track the planning in each host community. Their busy three day visit will include a full day of presentations by various divisions within the organization.

Media Interviews available:
Friday, June 26, 2009
Stanford Room, Upstairs at the Coca-Cola Centre
12:00pm

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Peace Region’s Elected Officials to Participate in Arctic Sports Competition

Volunteers from the 2010 Arctic Winter Games will lead many of the region’s elected officials in some friendly competition Tuesday, June 16th at the City of Grande Prairie’s Municipal Government Day celebrations in Muskoseepi Park.

Elected officials from seven neighboring municipalities will participate in four activities, all of which will be featured in the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, coming to Grande Prairie March 6-13, 2010.

Alaskan High Kick
The athlete supports himself/herself on the ground with one hand while grasping one foot with the other hand. The athlete must use his / her free foot to kick a target
suspended overhead before landing on the kicking foot.

Sledge Jump
Ten wooden sledges are placed in a row. The athlete jumps over as many as possible before fatigue forces him / her to stop. The athlete may only execute two-foot jumps,
and the feet may not be placed further apart than shoulder-wide.

Stick Pull
Competitors stand in a staggered stance facing each other, gripping a Crisco-greased stick. At the judge’s signals competitors grip the stick, then begin pulling away from
their competitor with a straight arm and in a slow and steady fashion. Best-of-three wins it.

Pole Push
Two teams of four players each grasp opposite ends of a 6-8 meter pole. The teams attempt to push each other out of a 10 metre circle. A team wins the round when it
succeeds in pushing the centre mark of the pole across the boundary line. Best-ofthree wins it.

The ‘competition’ for elected officials will run from 4:30-5:00pm, with members of the public encouraged to try their hand at these unique Arctic Sports following the City’s official welcome around 5:00.

Find YOUR Way to the Games! Visit our display at Municipal Government Day to Register as a Volunteer, Get Your Gameswear, or find out more about the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie.

Media Interviews available on-site Tuesday June 16, 4:00-7:00pm

For More Information on this, or other news stories click http://www.awg2010.org/news.aspx

Gameswear Fridays to be Launched with the City & County of Grande Prairie

The 2010 Arctic Winter Games will launch the Gameswear Fridays program next week, with Funding Partners the City of Grande Prairie and County of Grande Prairie being the first to confirm their support.

Members of the Games Host Society will be joined by City Aldermen and County Councilors for the announcement, happening Monday, June 15th, 9:00am at the County office. Elected officials will be the first to don their Gameswear in support of the program, but Director of Administration for the Games, Mike Reid says that’s just the beginning.

“As a supporter of our Gameswear Friday program our Funding Partners, and ALL Games sponsors, are eligible to receive a discount on bulk Gameswear purchases. These savings can be passed along to their staff, encouraging them to show their support for the Games by proudly wearing their Gameswear at work every Friday between now and the Games”.

Reid says the City and County are both shining examples of how Games pride can be encouraged in a work-place. But, he says community support for the Games reaches well beyond our municipal governments to businesses of all sizes.

“The Gameswear Friday campaign is a great way for the public to easily identify those businesses that have already made a commitment to supporting this unique sporting and cultural event. And if it encourages others to get involved, that’s even better” he says.

Mayor Dwight Logan was the first to purchase his 2010 Arctic Winter Games vest, which will be officially presented to him, along with the rest of City and County elected officials at their respective council meetings Monday.

Gameswear Fridays will also ensure that new products and styles of Gameswear are being seen out in the community as they’re made available. Reid says new stock is coming in all the time. To see the latest, visit the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Store in Ernie’s Sports Plaza or visit the Online Store at www.awg2010.org.

To initiate Gameswear Fridays at your business, contact the 2010 Arctic Winter Games at 780-538-4777.

Please join us for a Media Conference to officially launch Gameswear Fridays
Monday, June 15, 2009
9:00am at the County of Grande Prairie Office