NOTE TO EDITORS:

Christmas Lights Across Canada Ceremony 2005

Transportation and Works Minister Trevor Taylor will host the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada Ceremony on Thursday, December 1, at Confederation Building, East Block, starting at 6:15 p.m. The event is part of the annual Christmas Lights Across Canada Ceremony when hundreds of thousands of lights are illuminated across the country, a symbolic tradition that joins all Canadians.

The event kicks off with Christmas carols by the St. Bonaventure College Primary Choir, with further musical entertainment provided by the Salvation Army Citadel Band. Minister Taylor and his son Nicholas will throw the switch to light the tree in front of Confederation Building at about 6:45 p.m.

Local entertainer Kelly-Ann Evans will be the Master of Ceremonies. Hot chocolate, cake, tea and coffee will be available afterwards. The public is invited to join other Canadians in kicking off the holiday season.

Media Contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733, 691-3577

• Christmas Lights Across Canada is a national celebration as the national and provincial capitals turn on their Christmas lights on the same day. Newfoundland and Labrador, being the most easterly province, is usually the first turn on its Christmas lights each year.
   
• The event originated in 1986 and has been held in this province since 1987. This year�s display includes approximately 51,000 lights on Confederation Hill and along Prince Philip Parkway, as well as six billboards depicting Christmas scenes. This year�s tree came from Salmonier Line.
   
• The purpose of the event is to instill a sense of pride and cooperation among Canadians through a dazzling display of colourful Christmas lights to kick of the holiday season.
   
• In this province, the display includes 13 trees with white lights as a symbol of our country�s 13 provinces and territories. The large main tree containing multi-colour lights is a symbol of the diversity of the nation.
   
• The Master of Ceremonies for this year�s event is local entertainer Kelly-Ann Evans, a former co-host of Out of the Fog and 2003 Canadian Idol top 32 contestant. Her debut solo CD, You Decide, won her female artist of the year and pop/rock artist of the year at this year�s Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards.
   
• The tree lighting includes a sing-a-long of Christmas carols in the lobby, this year led by the St. Bonaventure College Primary Choir, and music by the Salvation Army St. John�s Citadel Band. It includes a blessing by a member of the clergy and a Christmas message from the Minister of Transportation and Works, whose staff prepares the tree and lighting display each year. Following the tree lighting, the public are invited inside the lobby for hot chocolate, tea, coffee and cake.

2005 11 29                      3:45 p.m.