GATINEAU, August 24, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament (Pontiac), today announced the most significant funding ever provided to the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Festival-goers and visitors to the Outaouais region this summer will once again be enthralled with the spectacular shows presented during the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. This summer festival will take place from September 4 to 7 and feature more than 300 performances and activities. It will include an artistic and cultural component, but the flight of the hot air balloons is clearly this event's pride and joy.
"Our Government is pleased to support the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, a most uplifting activity if ever there were one," said Minister Cannon. "It encourages the participation of residents from the Outaouais, provides local artists, artisans, and volunteers with the opportunity to showcase their talents, and plays an important role in the region's economy."
"Every year, backed by 1 600 volunteers, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival presents more than 300 performances and activities for 200 000 festival-goers. The Festival's mandate is to provide an exceptional showcase for artists from our region. This is made possible through contributions from our valued partners such as Canadian Heritage. Thanks to this contribution, the festival will feature 250 musicians, dancers, magicians, singers, and artists from the region," said Alain Fredette, Chair of the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival's Board of Directors.
The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, established in 1988, is designed to be both a tourist and a family activity. It has soared to rank as the top ballooning event in Canada and fifth in the world, as well as the most popular festival in the Outaouais.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $143,500 through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage.
Information:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Éric Amyot
Director, Regional Communications
Quebec Region
Canadian Heritage
514-283-4027
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
