June 24, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Newfoundland and Labrador Festival opens at the CN Tower

Premier Brian Tobin and David Taylor, president of TrizecHahn CN Tower Management Group, joined by Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today launched the Newfoundland and Labrador Festival at the CN Tower. This nine-day celebration coincides with Toronto's 31st annual Festival Caravan, a multicultural event running June 25 to July 3, 1999, which will include a Newfoundland and Labrador pavilion at the CN Tower.

"The Newfoundland and Labrador Festival provides visitors to the CN Tower with an opportunity to see and hear a sample of what Canada's youngest province has to offer, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of Confederation with Canada," said Premier Tobin. "From viewing ice from a real iceberg that has been transported from the waters off the coast of the province, to tasting traditional fare like fish cakes and cod tongues, to seeing products manufactured in the province, to exploring the wonders of the province via CD-ROM and displays, visitors will discover what Canada's fastest-growing economy has to offer."

Central to the festival is the Viking Ship stage, featuring ice from a 10,000-year-old iceberg. The stage in the outdoor plaza of the CN Tower is the backdrop to the nightly show, "Fire in the Ice", which offers a peek at Newfoundland history and culture. It celebrates the love of the ice and features songs, Vikings, video and special effects. Adults and children touring the CN Tower can participate in a trivia treasure hunt, explore the province via CD-ROM, video and displays, hear authentic storytelling, meet 1999 Vikings, see chef demonstrations and taste authentic Newfoundland and Labrador food and drinks.

Craftspeople will demonstrate the arts of stone carving, Inuit tea doll making, ulu knife making, caribou tufting, wood-carving, and Ootpik dolls. These crafts and other authentic products will be on sale in "Iceberg Alley" tents, located in the outdoor plaza off Bremner Blvd.

The Festival Caravan Pavilion will feature popular entertainers direct from the province in a massive outdoor tent. Music will range from foot-stomping, toe-tapping dance tunes to traditional folk to a bit of East Coast rock. Admission to the tent is free until 6 p.m. (3 p.m. on weekends and July 1), when the tent requires a Caravan Passport or day ticket. Featured groups include: The Catch, Shanneyganock, The Flummies and Felix & Formanger.

A complete range of traditional foods will be served all day long in the tent, including items like Newfoundland pea soup and dumplings, fish cakes, caplin, Fortune Bay mussels, a "jigg's" dinner, plus desserts like figgy duff, partridge berry tarts and Labrador "bakeapple" cheesecake. The tent is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 12 midnight.

"This event provides a fantastic opportunity to promote Soiree '99, which is ongoing in the province, and to learn of the fantastic program being developed for the Year 2000 entitled Vikings! 1000 Years: Make the Journey," said Tourism Minister Furey. "People who are deciding on vacation plans for next year will have a chance to see what Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer, and to hear about our exciting plans for the millennium. The tourism potential here is unlimited. Since the Cabot 500 celebrations in 1997, our tourism numbers have increased an incredible 23 per cent, and through events such as these, we hope to see this number grow even further," added Furey.

The CN Tower entertains almost two million guests annually from across Canada and around the world. This event is part of CN Tower's new focus to provide interesting and relevant special events to the people of the Greater Toronto Area, as well as international guests.

"Our goal is to knit ourselves closer to the community," said Dave Taylor, president of TrizecHahn CN Tower Management Group. "This event will allow us to bring the heritage and culture of this magnificent province to the people of Ontario, as well as to our international guests. This fits well within our plan to become the focal point downtown for hosting popular festivals and community happenings."

At a height of 1,815 feet, five inches (533.33 metres), the Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the CN Tower as the world's tallest building and freestanding structure. Defining Toronto's skyline, it continues to be an important telecommunications hub and the centre of tourism in the city. In June 1997, TrizecHahn Corporation was selected to operate and manage the CN Tower on a long-term lease. TrizecHahn is a major integrated real estate operating company with ownership interests comprising 68 million square feet.

Caravan is a well-established multicultural festival founded in 1969 by Zena Kossar. Caravan allows participants to travel the world and experience unique food, culture and music from a wide array of countries. Over 25 pavilions will be active during the June 25-July 3 period. Caravan Passports offer nine-day unlimited access to all of the pavilions for only $20. Caravan day tickets provide dine-around pavilion access for that day only and are $10. Children 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Caravan Passports may be purchased at the Festival Caravan Office (263 Adelaide St. West, 416-977-0466), at the CN Tower, or at any participating Purolator Shipping Centre.

Media contact:

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-0928, or (709) 685-8105.

Soiree '99: George Earles, Communications, (709) 729-4825.

CN Tower: Pat Macdonald, (416) 601-4880 or Bruce MacKenzie, (416) 601-4751.

Caravan: Leon Kossar, (416) 977-0466.

1999 06 24          2:45 p.m.