NOTE TO EDITORS: Minister to attend events in Conception Bay North

Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will bring greetings at the Trinity Conception Youth Ventures Regional Awards Banquet on Friday, August 11, at the Royal Canadian Legion, Spaniard�s Bay at 5:00 p.m.

Youth Ventures is an organization that helps students between the ages of 12 and 29 start and operate their own businesses throughout the summer months. Prior to the banquet, there will be a Business Showcase starting at 3:30 p.m.

Following the awards banquet, Minister Hedderson will bring greetings on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador at the 19^th Annual Brigus Blueberry Festival opening ceremonies. The event will take place at the Town Centre, Water Street, Brigus, on Friday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m.

The festival is set to take place from August 10-13. The Town of Brigus welcomes visitors to join in the festivities, crafts, concessions, contests, folk festival, parade, pie eating contest, Missed Blueberry Pageant, craft tables, baked goods, traditional food, moose burgers, games of chance, pre-teen and adult dances, Fireworks Sunday night and of course, blueberries!

Media representatives are invited to attend both events.

Media contact: Natalie Fleming, Communications, (709) 729-0855, nataliefleming@gov.nl.ca

2006 08 10                         2:50 p.m.