December 27, 1996
(Executive Council)

Grande Launch for Cabot 500 Celebrations on January 1

Brian Tobin, Premier, and His Worship John Murphy, Mayor of St. John's, today announced that a spectacular family-oriented event on New Year's Day will be the official launch of the Cabot 500th Anniversary Celebrations. The Opening Ceremonies will involve 17 communities throughout the province, including historic Bonavista, which will all be linked to Memorial Stadium in St. John's via an audio and/or video hook- up. The opening event is being co-hosted by the province's Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations and the St. John's 500th Cabot Celebrations Committee.

"The Opening Ceremonies will be an entertaining and theatrical presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador music and dance, and will also feature an interactive audio/video hook-up with Bristol, England, St. John's and Gander," Premier Tobin said. "The Opening Ceremonies will be broadcast live on VOCM Radio, most cable stations throughout the province and to the world over the Internet. The national television network NewsWorld will also be broadcasting the Opening Ceremonies to the country. This festival is the first of hundreds of events to take place throughout the province in 1997."

Peter Miller of CBC Radio will act as Master of Ceremonies for the event which will include special live appearances by Premier Brian Tobin; Sheila Copps, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage; the Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation Sandra Kelly. Pre-recorded greetings will also be aired on a large screen from the Governor General of Canada. Entertainment will include: the Gower Hand Bell Band, the St. Pat's Dancers, the Avalon East District Band, the Mount Pearl Senior High Show Choir, the Cabot Cabaret, and the Mews Centre Choir. The Opening Ceremonies will also feature a surprise appearance by a notable Newfoundlander and Labradorian.

"The Opening Ceremonies will also mark the beginning of St. John's Five-Day Family Festival," Mayor John Murphy said. "The New Year's Day festivities will be an entertaining event for all ages. I am also pleased to say that admission is free and tickets can be picked-up on a first-come first-serve basis at all Sobeys locations in St. John's commencing Saturday, December 28."

Invitations have been issued by the organizers with 500 free tickets available to the general public. Doors will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 1997 with entertainment to begin at 12 p.m. and the official opening ceremonies to commence at 1 p.m. and conclude at approximately 3 p.m. The Cabot 500th Anniversary Celebrations are being funded by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador with funding assistance provided by the Government of Canada and corporate sponsors. The Cabot Celebrations commemorate Italian explorer John Cabot's historic voyage from Bristol, England and landfall in Bonavista, Newfoundland.

Contact:

Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, 729- 0928.
Susan Vardy, Cabot Program Specialist, St. John's 500th Cabot Celebrations, City of St. John�s, 722- 1997.