Rideau Canal vendors crossing fingers for a cold Winterlude
Thaw in the forecast for winter fest's opening weekend
As the skating season on the Rideau Canal sputters into gear, canal vendors are crossing their fingers for a smooth and steady ride through Winterlude, with cold temperatures and big crowds.
"It's been an odd one. We're open late," said Grant Hooker, co-founder of BeaverTails. "But that doesn't mean that the season won't go long. We just hope for three great weeks — or 18 days I think it is — of weather for Winterlude."
The annual winter celebration in the National Capital Region officially kicks off Friday, Jan. 29, and runs until Feb. 15.
But the centrepiece of the festival, the Rideau Canal Skateway, has been hampered by erratic weather this season.
Milder temperatures so far this winter delayed its opening until last weekend, and a brief thaw earlier this week caused a temporary closure. All of that has put a freeze on any incoming profits for businesses that set up on the ice.
"The weather has been bad before. In fact, the latest opening was February 2nd. This is a pretty late opening. But on the other hand, if the weather's good from now on, the crops will grow, and we'll be happy farmers."
Frustration for first-time vendors
The long wait to get on the canal this year has been especially frustrating for first-time vendors like Caffeine Fix, a mobile espresso bar.
"It's been a lot of frustration. This is our third attempt now," Davids said. "We were due to drive down the ramp out on to the ice and put in our trailer. But conditions were unfavourable for that, so we've had to be craned on."
But like his counterparts at BeaverTails, Davids hopes this long delay will give way to a prolonged cold season.
"Let's just hope the canal is open every day for as long a season as it can be, and everyone can get down and enjoy the skating and have some beverages from us," he said.
