Financial Assistance from the Government of Canada Helps 17th Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival Feature Rich and Diverse Arts Program
OTTAWA, September 1st, 2004 -- Françoise Boivin, Member of Parliament (Gatineau), on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla, today announced funding for the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, which takes place from September 3 to 6, 2004. A major regional event, the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, draws crowds thanks to its unique arts programming."The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival is an important popular event that brings excitement and colour to the skies of the Outaouais and, on land, features a wide variety of artists from our area and other regions of Canada", said Ms. Boivin. "The festival is a special time for visitors to the Outaouais as well as for local residents, who are all invited to enjoy the enchantment and the beauty of a true celestial ballet, as well as the talent of the many performers taking part."
"The Government of Canada is pleased to support the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, which, each year, presents established and up-and-coming performers," said Minister Frulla. "It enables Canadians to experience enthralling arts performances, as well as to enjoy the festival's original focus and activities. The festival is also a good example of the strong contribution that culture can make to creating a major tourist attraction. May this year's Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival enjoy fair winds and outstanding success."
The funding of $30,000 provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage for the 17th Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival will enable those in attendance to enjoy close to 400 performances. In addition, the arts program will be enhanced by the presence of potters, painters and jewellers, as well as performances by buskers.
The Department of Canadian Heritage is providing this funding under its Arts Presentation Canada program. The objective of this program is to help Canadians experience the diversity and richness of our country's culture at professional-quality festivals and other performing arts events. Arts Presentation Canada is part of the Tomorrow Starts Today initiative, which was renewed for a fourth year with funding of $207 million.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the March 2004 federal Budget.
Information:
Ursula Strolenberg
Executive Assistant
Office of Madame Françoise Boivin
(613) 992-4351
Donald Boulanger
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
[ Media Room ]
