News Release

For Immediate Release
July 25, 2002 

ECBC supports Festivals and Events in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality 

Sydney NS - A wide variety of Festivals and Events in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) have received financial support from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) through a new pilot program it launched this year. The Festival and Events program has committed $214,801 to 44 projects across Cape Breton Island and Mulgrave. In the CBRM, $105,771 has been committed to 22 local events. 

"This program reflects a strong commitment by the Government of Canada to invest in our greatest resources, our people and our culture. We strongly believe that these events will serve to enhance tourism across the Island," stated Rodger Cuzner, MP for Bras d'Or B Cape Breton, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

The Festival and Events program is designed to build capacity and provide quality attractions that will enhance both the tourism and arts and culture sectors on the Island. 

"The program recognizes that community festival and events are an important part in the growth and development of both the Tourism and the Arts and Cultural sectors on the Island. These activities are a wonderful way to showcase local talent and demonstrate Cape Breton hospitality," commented local MP for Sydney B Victoria, Mark Eyking, also speaking on behalf of Minister Byrne.

Rick Beaton, Vice President of ECBC indicated that in spring of 2002, ECBC issued a request for proposal (RFP) inviting interested parties to submit a proposal for a festival or event that demonstrated strategic economic impact, project feasibility and sustainability. ECBC offered grants of up to $7,500 to incorporated, non-profit organizations that could demonstrate strategic economic impact, project feasibility and sustainability. "We are very pleased with the response we received from the RFP."

The 22 projects in the CBRM that received funding under this program are: 

Canada Day Parade & Picnic - Sydney	$1,515
Mira Gala Festival	$7,500
Glace Bay Summerfest	$3,000
PierScape Community Arts Festival	$2,725
Lobster Palooza	$7,500
Action Week 2002 - Sydney	$7,500
16th Season of Dockside Ceilidhs	$3,000
Big Pond Summer Festival	$3,640
Canada Day on the Waterfront	$5,065
Seaside Daze	$4,182
Festival Cape Breton	$7,500
Coal Dust Days - New Waterford	$6,581
John Hall Mem. Fishing Boat Races	$1,419
Comunn Feis an Eilein	$6,000
North Sydney Bartown Days Festival	$2,440
Route Halifax Saint Pierre Ocean Race - Louis.	$2,500
Louisbourg Crab Festival	$7,500
North Sydney Celebration of the Arts	$7,500
Lambert Todd Days	$1,150
Highland Gathering	$2,654
Feill nam Barrach Barraman's Feast - Barra St.	$7,500
Minglefest 2002	$7,500

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.


For further information contact:

D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
902-564-3617