Tourism, Culture and
Recreation
February 5, 2010
Minister Announces Regional
Plans to Celebrate
Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the Olympics
The spirit and enthusiasm
of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be
brought home to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador
at four regional celebration events to be held Friday,
February 26 – Newfoundland and Labrador Day at the
Olympics.
"With less than two weeks to go before Canada hosts the
2010 Olympic Winter Games, we are delighted to announce
plans to include our residents in the celebration of
this international event," said the Honourable Terry
French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "On
February 26, St. John's, Gander, Corner Brook and Happy
Valley-Goose Bay will each host regional celebrations
which will be family-focused, include local
entertainment, and provide the opportunity for
participants to watch a live feed of Newfoundland and
Labrador's Victory Celebration Showcase preceding that
day's medal ceremonies at BC Place in Vancouver."
Actor, writer and comedian Shaun Majumder will host the
province's 30-minute showcase event from Vancouver
(Victory Celebration Showcase), which will be held just
prior to the medal ceremonies at BC Place that evening.
There will be performances by Hey Rosetta!, The Irish
Descendents, Ron Hynes, Tara Oram and the Nunatsiavut
Drum Dancers. Artistic Creator Jillian Keiley has
produced the program, which also includes a unique dance
element led by Kelly Russell and Tonya Kearley of Pigeon
Inlet Productions.
The Provincial Government has invested a total of
$300,000 to support the celebration events in St.
John's, Gander, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay,
as well as the rights to broadcast the showcase events
in Vancouver to all four regional events. Further
information on the regional celebrations is included in
the backgrounder below.
CTV is sponsoring the St. John's regional celebration,
while event partners for the regional celebrations
events in Gander, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose
Bay are Bell Aliant, Suncor Energy, RBC and Molson Coors
Canada.
For more information on Newfoundland and Labrador's
involvement in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, visit:
www.gov.nl.ca/2010Olympics
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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Regional Celebration Events for Newfoundland and
Labrador Day at the Olympics
St. John's (St. John's
Convention Centre and Mile One)
St. John's will host the CTV Olympic Celebration event
at Mile One Centre and the St. John's Convention Centre.
Mile One Centre will be open to the public from 1:00
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. During that time, individuals will be
able to view CTV's live Olympic Games coverage on video
screens, as well as participate in interactive sports
activity zones, entertainment activities, pavilions, and
hospitality zones. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., Joel Plaskett
& The Emergency and the Sam Roberts Band will take the
stage. Admission is free, but as a seated event, tickets
are required. At 11:00 p.m., there will be a live
broadcast of the Newfoundland and Labrador Victory
Celebrations Showcase from Vancouver.
Activities at the St. John's Convention Centre will take
place from 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. Local artists
Karla Pilgrim and the Monday Nights will be performing
on the Bell Aliant Community Stage during the event.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. the convention centre will have a
live feed of the Mile One Centre show (including the
Newfoundland and Labrador Victory Celebration Showcase),
as well as a broadcast of the men's Olympic semi-final
hockey game.
Gander (Gander Community Centre)
Gander will celebrate Newfoundland and Labrador Day with
a free evening concert showcasing some of the best local
and regional talent in the province.
Starting at 8:00 p.m., Gander's variety show will
feature the Rhonda O'Brien Dance School, the Split Peas,
Exploits Jazz Band and many more. Billy and the Bruisers
will be the headlining performance. At 11:00 p.m.,
participants can view the Newfoundland and Labrador
Victory Celebration Showcase, live from Vancouver.
Corner Brook (Marble Mountain)
As part of its annual Winter Carnival festivities,
Corner Brook will feature a full day of fun and
interactive activities to celebrate Newfoundland and
Labrador Day at the Olympics.
On Friday, February 26, Sherman Downey, The Idlers and
Dave McHugh will perform. Beginning at 12:00 noon,
family-focused activities will include a barbecue,
children's entertainment and night skiing. At 11:00 p.m.
people can view the Newfoundland and Labrador Victory
Celebration Showcase, live from Vancouver.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay (E.J Broomfield Memorial
Arena)
Happy Valley-Goose Bay's celebration of Newfoundland and
Labrador Day at the Olympics begins at 6:00 p.m. with a
fireworks display.
There will be performances by the Flummies, Donna
Roberts, Meshikamau and others, along with a family fun
zone with a variety of activities for all ages –
including free skating, mascot races, and a youth and
adult hockey shoot-out. At 10:30 p.m., the community is
invited to watch a special screening of the Newfoundland
and Labrador Victory Celebration Showcase, live from
Vancouver.
2010 02 05
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