Wednesday's Snowshoeing Schedule

The Snowshoeing schedule for Wednesday has changed, with competition now beginning at 1:00pm instead of 8:00am.

The Snowshoeing schedule for Wednesday, March 10 has changed.

Competition will now begin at 1:00pm instead of 8:00am - and will run until 4:00pm at Wapiti Nordic Ski Club just South of Grande Prairie.

Click HERE for an overview of today's sport schedule.

Snow Snake Competition Moved

Originally scheduled to be held with other Dene Games being held at ATCO Place in Muskoseepi Park, Snow Snake will now be held in the Football Field at St. Joseph's Catholic High School. Action is underway now and will run until approximately 3:30 this afternoon.

Ignite the Spirit of the Games

Volunteer Rally - Saturday 23, 2010

- Register as a Volunteer

- Complete Security Clearance

- Get Your Accreditation Photo

- Choose Jobs

- Select Shifts

Get answers to ALL Your Games questions, direct from
representatives with each Division.

Montrose Cultural Centre
Teresa Sargent Hall
10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Tickets for Christmas

Every year the same uncertainty ... the same last-minute rush.

This year do something you can ONLY do this year ... stuff YOUR stockings with TICKETS for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, March 6th to 13th in Grande Prairie.

Witness the athletic competition, social interaction, and cultural exchange of this international celebration.

Get YOUR tickets for Opening & Closing Ceremonies, and breathtaking Cultural Galas at the Crystal Centre Box Office while they last.

Visit awg2010.org

A Week Full of Milestones Makes for a Weekend FULL of Celebration

A week full of milestones for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games will wrap up this Saturday with a HUGE community celebration from 10:00am-3:00pm at Montrose Cultural Centre.

The Volunteer Rally is the second of three that will be held by the Games’ Host Society prior to the Games, and Director of Volunteers Linda Craik says the event is meant to celebrate our existing volunteers as much as to recruit new ones!

“This week we reached a few major milestones: This Thursday marked exactly ONE HUNDRED days to the Games, and as if that wasn’t enough cause for celebration we’ve also registered our ONE-THOUSANDTH volunteer!” says Craik.

A total of 2,500 volunteers are needed to bring the Games to Grande Prairie, and Craik says although we still have a long way to go, this milestone certainly helps to prove what organizers have been saying all along; the people of Grande Prairie and area are committed to making these Games a reality for our community!

Craik says every volunteer that registers is just as important as the last, regardless of what number they are. But, she says there is something particularly noteworthy about our #1000. Having just moved to Grande Prairie, Timothy Way was looking for a way to get involved in his new community when the Games Crew visited his place of employment to conduct on-site volunteer registration. He signed up that day, showing his commitment to the community after only one week of calling Grande Prairie home.

Games President Debbie Reid says it’s exactly that sense of community that is exemplified by our volunteers. “Although the majority of volunteers are needed for work DURING the Games, many of those that registered early are already getting involved, by donating their time to help with pre-Games events like parades, community displays, and events like this weekend’s Volunteer Rally.”

Craik says whether you’re planning to register at the rally or you’re one of the many volunteers already helping to make these games a success, EVERYONE IS WELCOME at the celebration this Saturday.

- Volunteer Registration at the Rally - Chance to Win HOURLY prizes

- Celebrate Aluk’s First Birthday – with birthday cake, and ‘Aluk’s Kids Corner’

- Take in Arctic Sport Demonstrations and Cultural Performances

- Check out a LIVE Games Gear Fashion Show

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

2010 Arctic Winter Games Ticket Sale Launch

After almost two years of preparations, residents and visitors will soon be able to solidify their plans to attend the 2010 Arctic Winter Games - but organizers say they’ll have to move fast!

Tickets for this international celebration of sport and culture go on sale Monday morning at 10:00am at the Crystal Centre Box Office.

With a limited number of tickets available, Ticket Chair Heidi Yang says Opening & Closing Ceremonies and the two Cultural Galas are expected to sell out shortly after the launch. Yang strongly recommends that people purchase these tickets quickly, as seat selection will be at a premium.

With an event of this magnitude, Yang says there’s no such thing as a small task. This theory was proven correct through the many hours spent reviewing schedules, VIP lists and seating capacities in preparation for the ticket sale launch.

“The sport schedules alone are intense, with seven days of competition in 21 sports,” says Yang. “When you add to that some of the unique cultural elements of the Games, like Opening & Closing Ceremonies, and two spectacular cultural galas, the event becomes much more than your typical set of Games.”

Yang says ticket options will allow spectators to customize their Games experience, with individual tickets sold for ceremonies and cultural galas. Once sport schedules are finalized, she says Sports Super Passes, Day Passes and tickets for Medal Rounds will be available to those intent on catching all the athletic elements of these unique circumpolar games.

Grande Prairie is the Southern-most city ever to host the Arctic Winter Games - which will welcome 2,000 athletes and cultural participants, as well as tourists, friends, and families from as far away as Greenland and Russia.

The Crystal Centre Box Office is the exclusive seller of 2010 Arctic Winter Games tickets, with purchases available in person, online, or by phone.

Ticket Sale Launch

Monday, November 2, 2009

Crystal Centre Box Office

10:00 am

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

2010 Arctic Winter Games Hosts First Volunteer Rally

With only six months until the 2010 Arctic Winter Games in Grande Prairie, organizers are stepping up Volunteer recruitment.

The Host Society will hold their first of three Volunteer Rallies this Saturday as a part of the City of Grande Prairie’s Community Connections event at Montrose Cultural Centre.

Director of Volunteers & Protocol, Linda Craik says the annual city event is the perfect venue for bringing the Games message to the masses.

“People in the City of Grande Prairie and surrounding areas see this event as their best chance to see what kind of leisure activities and opportunities for community involvement exist for them in Grande Prairie. We’ll be there to show them the MANY opportunities available with the Games,” Craik says.

The Games are a huge event for our community, she says, and they simply CANNOT happen without volunteers. In fact, 2,500 volunteers are required to make the Games a reality for Grande Prairie.

Close to 600 people are already registered, and with preparations well underway she says there is no shortage of tasks to keep them busy.
“These people really exemplify the enthusiasm and dedication that will make these Games a success. They’re the folks that heard the Games were coming and immediately made a commitment to be a part of it.”

Craik says that core group has been a major force in promoting the Games throughout the region - encouraging others to be involved through promotional displays, on-site volunteer registration stations, and many, many community parades. Games President Debbie Reid agrees, saying it’s the people that make the difference.

“This is exactly the type of teamwork that will lead us to true success as we near the Games” Reid says.

For more information, or to register, visit the Games Volunteer Rally:
Saturday, September 12, 2009
10:00am-3:00pm at Montrose Cultural Centre
Event Details

2010 Arctic Winter Games Store Grand Opening Celebration

Just six months before the 2010 Arctic Winter Games come to Grande Prairie, organizers are encouraging area residents to start showing their support, with Arctic Winter Games merchandise!

Director of Administration for the Games, Mike Reid says although a limited selection of Games Gear was available previously, the Grand Opening Celebration commemorates several exciting changes - including a new look, extended hours, and new items for the Games Store.

Reid says like the Games themselves, the success of the merchandise program depends heavily on community involvement.

"The Games Crew has been all over the Peace Country, talking to people, showing what the Games Store has to offer and asking what people want to see - and a lot of those ideas have translated into what you see in the store today." Reid says a few of the new items include moisture wicking t-shirts, baby bibs, track suits, sweat pants, even portable flash drives and Aluk ‘action figures’. Aluk, a pachyrhinosaurus dinosaur discovered in the area, is the mascot for the upcoming Games.

Reid says that as the Games get closer and more people come on board, the demand for Games Gear grows. When those supporters can find Gameswear they really LIKE they’re more likely to wear it, advertising their involvement and encouraging others to get involved.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony held Friday, September 4 kicked off a weekend full of family activities at the Games Store, now open Thursdays and Fridays until 9:00 pm, Saturdays from 10:00 am-6:00 pm, and Sundays and holidays 12:00 pm-5:00 pm, in Ernie’s Sports Plaza.

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

2010 Arctic Winter Games One-Year-Out Celebration

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

Excitement Heating Up as Canadian Rocker Colin James Celebrates this Weekend with the Arctic Winter Games

Excitement Heating Up as Canadian Rocker Colin James Celebrates this Weekend with the Arctic Winter Games Grande Prairie, Alberta – With only a few days until Canada’s own Colin James is in the city to celebrate with the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, excitement is growing. James is in the City this Saturday, March 28 for a 2010 Arctic Winter Games dine and dance and auction. The event will be held in a ballroom at the Evergreen Park TEC Centre.

Tickets that include a personal meet and greet with James are already sold out. Some tickets can still be purchased for the dinner and dance featuring the music of Colin James. Due to high demand, 100 tickets have been released just for the show.

The Canadian singer, guitarist and songwriter appeals to a variety of international audiences and musiclovers, playing in the blues, rock and swing genres. Also joining James will be seven members of his band who have played with many of the industry’s greats including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton.

The evening will include a unique cultural component featuring aboriginal dancing. A live and silent auction will showcase paintings, sculptures, and art objects from Nunavik, Nunavut, Yukon, Northern Alberta, Greenland, Russia, and the Northwest Territories. Also to be auctioned off is a guitar signed by Colin James, as well as an Okanagan Resort package, which includes a spa, golf, winery tour, and dinner.

Tickets for Saturday’s dinner and dance are $175 and can be purchased at the Crystal Centre Box Office.
Show only tickets are $100. Call the Games office at 780-538-4777 for show tickets only.


The Arctic Winter Games is a biennial international sport and cultural event. Young athletes and performers from circumpolar regions gather to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie, Alberta from March 6 – 13. Participating contingents will include Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, the Russian region of Yamal and the Sami (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia)

Contact:
Linda Side
Sponsorship Chair, 2010 Arctic Winter Games
Work: (780) 532-0636 Cell: (780) 831-8517

2010 Arctic Winter Games Hosts One-Year-Out Celebration

The countdown is on for the 2010 Arctic Winter Games and the public is invited to come out and participate in a family celebration this Sunday.

Where: Grande Prairie Regional College Gym
Muskoseepi Park
Grande Prairie, Alberta

When: Sunday, March 8, 2009
Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Program at 1:30 p.m. at the College Gym
Indoor Media Challenge 2:00 p.m.
Outdoor Media Challenge 3:00 p.m.

What: The 2010 Arctic Winter Games will kick off next year on March 6. This Sunday, we are starting the countdown. The public is invited to enjoy cultural presentations of music and dance, view some Arctic and Dene Sport demonstrations - and even try a few out like the snow snake and high kick – and purchase local handicrafts and sample some tasty treats at the marketplace. Media will challenge one another at the indoor and outdoor media challenge featuring Dene and Arctic sports. There will also be a dog sled on hand!

The Arctic Winter Games is an international sport and cultural event that provides Northern youth with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie from March 6-13.

For further information contact:
April Weavell
Marketing & PR Assistant Director/Media Chair
2010 Arctic Winter Games
Cell: (780) 505-0703 Email: media@awg2010.org

One-Year-Out Celebration Invitation

Arctic Winter Games Rocks with Canadian Music Icon Colin James

Grande Prairie, Alberta – The 2010 Arctic Winter Games is hosting a party, and they're inviting the community to dine and dance to the music of Canadian music icon Colin James. James – a six time Juno winner who has sold over a million albums worldwide – will be in our city on March 28 at the Evergreen TEK Centre to help raise awareness and funds for the 2010 international celebration of sport and culture.

2010 Arctic Winter Games Sponsorship Chair Linda Side said that Saskatchewan-born James is just the right person for the fundraising event.

"Colin is a very well-known and accomplished western-Canadian musician who has made his mark on the world with his raw talent. Music and culture are a huge component of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, and Colin James represents the incredible level of talent that we Canadians bring to the international stage."

The Canadian singer, guitarist and songwriter appeals to a variety of audiences and music lovers playing in the blues, rock and swing genres. Also joining James will be seven members of his band who have played with many of the industry's greats including the Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton.

Side said that the evening will include a silent auction featuring a variety of unique aboriginal art pieces from aboriginal artists around the region. There will be an opportunity for a meet and greet for sponsors with Colin James.

"It is a rare opportunity to share an evening with this caliber of talent in such an intimate, casual and closed setting. With the Games just over a year away, the excitement is building and what better way to celebrate than with this level of Canadian entertainment."

Tickets for the dinner and dance are $175 a piece and can be purchased at the Crystal Centre Box Office, or by calling the games office at 780-538-4777. Table sponsors will have an opportunity to personally meet Colin James before the event.

The Arctic Winter Games is an international sport and cultural event that provides Northern youth with an opportunity to participate in a variety of sports and showcase their talents. The 2010 Games will be held in Grande Prairie, Alberta from March 6 – 13. Participating contingents will include Northern Alberta, Nunavik (Northern Quebec), the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, Greenland, the Russian region of Yamal and the Sami (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia)

Contact:

Linda Side

Sponsorship Chair, 2010 Arctic Winter Games

Work: (780) 532-0636 Cell: (780) 831-8517

Community Invited to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Warm-Up Event

MEDIA RELEASE
November 27, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Invited to the 2010 Arctic Winter Games Warm-Up Event

Grande Prairie, Alberta – The community is invited to join the fun at a “Warm-Up” party after this Sunday’s Santa Claus parade. The family event, hosted by the 2010 Arctic Winter Games, will be held at Muskoseepi Park from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Sunday, November 30.
There will be free hot chocolate and cookies, colouring activities, an Arctic Sport demonstration and a chance to find out how you can volunteer for this international sport and cultural event, to be held in our city from March 6-13, 2010.

You’ll also get a chance to take your picture with the Arctic Winter Games pachyrhinosuarus mascot and Grande Prairie’s newest citizen. The dinosaur mascot was “hatched” from an egg at last Sunday’s Storm Game. Submissions for a name for the 2010 Games mascot are welcome at Sunday’s Warm-Up event or by logging in online at www.awg2010.org.

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The Arctic Winter Games is a high profile sport competition and cultural event for northern athletes and performers. Since their inception in 1970, the Games now include participants from Alaska, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, northern Alberta, northern Quebec (Nunavik), the Russian province of Yamal, Greenland, and the Sami people of Norway and Finland. Grande Prairie will be the southern-most city to host the Games, to be held from March 6-13, 2010.

Contact:
Debbie Reid
President, 2010 Arctic Winter Games