VERNON, British Columbia, July 28, 2008 - Residents and visitors to Vernon will have an opportunity to take part in the Cowboy Festival, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
Colin Mayes, Member of Parliame ent (Okanagan-Shuswap), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Cowboy Festival.
Funding of $7,50 0 will help the O'Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society host the Cowboy Festival, which will take place from July 29 to August 3, 2008. The festival will showcase the rich cultural heritage of the historic O'Keefe Ranch and will feature local amateur and professional artists and artisans.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to announce funding for the Cowboy Festival," said Minister Verner. "We are proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate loca l history, arts, and heritage."
"Local festivals like this one bring people of all ages and backgrounds together and contribute to building strong communities," said Mr. Mayes. "I am proud that our Government has taken dec isive steps to strengthen our shared sense of heritage."
"We are very grateful to the Department of Canadian Heritage for its support towards the 16th annual Cowboy Festival," said Tom Danyk, general manager of the O'Keefe Ranc h and Heritage Society. "This festival brings together cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country to present and preserve British Columbia's ranching traditions."
The Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program, a nnounced in September 2007, provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in events and activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and anniversaries th roughout Canada this year.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
and Minister for La Francophon ie
819 997-7788
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604 666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
1 866 569-6155
