The Town of Cupids will be on the national and international stage this evening as the 400^th anniversary of the birthplace of English Canada is officially recognized with a series of events to celebrate the milestone occasion.

The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, will attend the official opening of the Cupids Legacy Centre at 7:45 p.m., followed by the opening of the Cupids Cove Soiree at 8:15 p.m. He will be joined by the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation; the Honourable Tom Hedderson, MHA for Harbour Main; and Roy Dawe, Chair of Cupids400 Inc. Special guests at the events include their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond; their Honours the Honourable John Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Jane Furneaux Crosbie; his Excellency Anthony Cary, the British High Commissioner to Canada; the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and other provincial and federal government representatives.

"This is truly a historic occasion, and I feel incredibly proud and fortunate to be a part of it," said Premier Williams. "We are celebrating a remarkable milestone in the history of Cupids, the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador and, indeed a milestone of national and international proportions. The importance of the John Guy colony, and the legacy it left behind, cannot be overstated. As the birthplace of English Canada, this site represents yet another example of the extraordinary historical relevance of our province and our cultural contribution to North America. I look forward to seeing the story of Cupids, and its significance, become more fully recognized and celebrated in years to come."

The Provincial Government has, to date, invested over $5.3 million to ensure the impact of the Cupids400 celebrations will last for many years to come, including $3.5 million on the Cupids Legacy Centre itself.

"The Legacy Centre includes exhibits on the original 1610 colony and the history of Cupids and early English colonization of the New World," said Minister French. "But it also features a family history resource centre, a multi-purpose community hall, an archaeology lab, as well as more than 160,000 artifacts uncovered at the Cupids Cove Plantation Archaeological Site, which was first discovered in 1995."

The events around the year-long 400^th anniversary celebrations in Cupids are projected to inject $15 million into the provincial economy and provide long-term tourism-related benefits to the town and region. Over the course of the next week, during the Cupids Cove Soiree, there are a series of music, dance, and theatre activities taking place, as well as boat tours, craft displays and activities for the children. A complete schedule of events can be viewed at www.cupids400.com.

"It is clear that the Cupids Legacy Centre is poised to become an anchor tourism attraction within the Baccalieu Trail region that will add to the natural, cultural and heritage experiences to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike," said Minister Hedderson. "The Provincial Government investment in Cupids will no doubt promote further economic development and present long-term employment opportunities in the town and throughout the region."

Cupids was founded in 1610, becoming the first English colony established in what is today Canada. For a time, it was home to John Guy and a small group of colonists. The plantation site was occupied for several decades and a core group of settlers did remain in Conception Bay to become the ancestors of many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians today.

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