The Quebec Winter Carnival, or Carnaval de Québec, is known as one of the three largest winter carnivals in the world. (The other large winter celebrations are the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in China, and Japan's Sapporo Snow Festival)

The 2010 Carnival is ready to begin next week. The event, which attracts more than one million visitors every year, takes place January 29 to February 14th in Quebec City, Canada. 

Highlights of the event include the creation of a magical ice palace, which is built to host the Carnival's official mascot, the Bonhomme Carnaval. (translation means "the Good Man") He's photographed right, a friendly looking fellow who is popular with children, and apparently tells great jokes. The construction of the ice palace began in 1955, and has been a tradition ever since. 

A $10 admission gets you into most of the Winter Carnival events, including the opening and closing ceremonies. Popular attractions include sleigh races, a dog obstacle course competition, extreme canoe racing across the frozen St. Lawrence river, and outdoor dance and music parties.  In addition, visitors enjoy the snow rafting, snow slides, pancake breakfasts, snow sculptures contest, ice fishing, and skating with the Bonhomme.

The event is very popular with local residents, as well as visitors from North America and around the globe.  

(photo of Bonhomme Carnaval courtesy of AWDB)