Sheep Shearing Headlines May Activities at the Canada Agriculture Museum

OTTAWA, April 21, 2006
For immediate release

Highlights in May at the Canada Agriculture Museum include Mother's Day and Museum Day, both celebrated Sunday, May 14, Sheep Sheering Festival each day of the Victoria Day Weekend, May 20 to 22, Food Aid Day, Friday May 26 and a variety of daily demonstrations such as meeting Eeyore the Donkey and helping to feed the sheep. Also, plenty of outdoor spaces, on the grass or at picnic tables for snacking or resting while enjoying informative and hands-on activities.

Mother's Day and International Museum Day - May 14
Mothers, grandmothers and the whole family can join in special activities at the Canada Agriculture Museum to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 14, as well as International Museum Day. Visitors will learn about "farm mothers", the animals that work year round to produce many of the foods on which we depend. Free admission to all in celebration of International Museum Day.

Sheep Shearing Festival - May 20 to 22
It's time for the sheep to be shorn. Visitors can watch shearing demonstrations, wool spinning and weaving, felt-making, Border Collies at work, and much more such as alpacas on display. An expert shearer will give sheep shearing demonstrations throughout each day. Families and children of all ages can take part in fun outdoors activities.

Food Aid Day - May 26
This year, on May 26, CFRA will be broadcasting the 2nd annual Food Aid radiothon live from the Canada Agriculture Museum. Food Aid is a program created to buy and process beef from Ottawa-area farmers to give to less fortunate families through the Ottawa Food Bank. Visitors are invited to the Museum to participate in fun farm activities, and enjoy a free BBQ and make a cash donation. Free admission all day.

Special Invitation to Seniors
Every Tuesday from March to October, seniors (60+) are admitted free.

DAILY INTERPRETATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN MAY
Every day, visitors can learn more about Canadian agriculture and about the food and fibres that make our way of life possible.

10:00	Discover the Dairy Breeds - Dairy Barn
10:30	Meet the Lambs and the Kids - Small Animal Barn
11:00	Butter Making and Tasting - Demonstration Kitchen
12:00	Meet Eeyore the Donkey - Horse and Cattle Barn
1:15	Cow Washing or Care - Dairy Barn
2:00	The Beck Circus: Electricity's Early Years in Ontario
3:00	Help Feed the Sheep - Small Animal Barn
3:45	Afternoon Milking - Dairy Barn

Also...

• On weekends visitors can help one of our friendly interpreters make pasta in the Demonstration Kitchen at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:30.
• Visitors can discover the exhibitions Tractors and The Farm: Plugged-In.
• Children's Activity Centre located on the Exhibitions level.
• Horse Drawn Tally-Ho Rides ($), on weekends, weather permitting.