Ottawa, Ontario, February 3, 2011 -- The lead-up to Parks Canada's 100th birthday in May begins at Winterlude, February 4 – 21, as Canada's best-loved natural and historic places inspire the 18-day winter festival in Canada's Capital Region.
"Parks Canada is delighted that the National Capital Commission has joined our centennial celebration by making it a major theme of their famous and very popular Winterlude festival for 2011," said the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. "Parks Canada's centennial is a great occasion for all Canadians to enjoy their national treasures, and as the world's first national parks service, Parks Canada is honoured to provide Canadians with places of beauty, nature and history throughout the country for all to experience."
A very talented contingent of Canadian musicians, actors, heritage interpreters and scientists will be coming to Winterlude to share with the festival goers some of the unforgettable experiences of Canada's system of national treasures.
This year's opening night on Friday, February 4th at the Canadian Museum of Civilization will feature the theme of the Parks Canada Centennial, with special lighting effects and large-scale projections on the exterior of the Museum, a fireworks extravaganza and a live concert featuring very special Canadian artists from the National Parks Project - including Andrew Whiteman (Broken Social Scene), Dean Stone (Apostle of Hustle), Mishka Stein (Patrick Watson), Graham Van Pelt (Miracle Fortress), Mathieu Charbonneau (Torngat), Rebecca Foon (Silver Mt. Zion), Paul Aucoin (Hylozoists) - highlighting the first 100 years of the world's first parks service.
Throughout Winterlude, visitors are encouraged to enjoy a variety of activities presented by Parks Canada on the Rideau Canal Skateway and at Jacques Cartier Park during the three weekends of the festival including: photo exhibits on national historic sites, national parks and national marine conservation areas, workshops on the pleasures of winter, interpretive activities on the Rideau Canal, short films, artistic performances and a giant centennial snow sculpture. The complete schedule of Parks Canada programming during Winterlude is available on the Winterlude website at: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/winterlude/parks-canada/.
Parks Canada's centennial promises to bring very exciting activities throughout the year all across the country, with the official launch to take place on May 19. For more information on Parks Canada and the centennial activities, please visit the Parks Canada website at: www.parkscanada.gc.ca.
-30-
Information:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-994-3023
www.twitter.com/parkscanada
