60,000 lights to illuminate Confederation Hill

Newfoundland and Labrador will once again join with the rest of the country in celebrating the Christmas season with the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada ceremony. The ceremony will be hosted by Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett.

The ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m., December 6, in front of the Confederation Building's East Block. The Roncalli Elementary School Choir and the St. John's Citadel Salvation Army Band will provide entertainment. Refreshments will be provided following the tree lighting. The public and media are invited to attend.

"This is our 15th consecutive year participating in this national celebration and we're very pleased to continue the Christmas tradition," said Barrett. "The Christmas lights we've placed along Confederation Hill and the Prince Philip Parkway in the past have been very well received by the general public. I encourage people to come to the ceremony again this year to celebrate the Christmas season with the rest of the country."

Christmas lighting will also be displayed at the College of the North Atlantic, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the Health Sciences Centre

The Christmas Lights Across Canada Ceremony is an event organized nationally by the National Capital Commission.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2001 12 04                              3:40 p.m.