13 million cranberries to reveal Richmond to the world

RICHMOND , BC, Dec. 2 /CNW/ - Thirteen million floating cranberries, weighing about 13,600 kilograms (30,000 pounds), will form a spectacular tribute to the Olympic Games on the Fraser River next February.

A massive depiction of the Canadian Olympic Committee's logo will float in the Middle Arm of the Fraser River, just offshore from the Richmond Olympic Oval throughout the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The stunning, never-before-seen tribute to the Games will be 62 metres long by 70 metres wide (200 by 230 feet) or more than 3,200 square metres (34,000 square feet) in total area. The logo, which consists of a maple leaf and Olympic torch sitting overtop of the five interlocking Olympic rings, will be constructed from cranberries contained in a specially-constructed floating form.

Richmond is Canada's largest producer of cranberries with more than 60 family-owned farms, the majority of which are part of the Ocean Spray Cooperative. The cranberry installation is part of a new program entitled Richmond Revealed, a series of visual spectacles that will celebrate the diverse commerce, culture and heritage of Richmond and showcase it to the world during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

"We are extremely proud to be an official Venue City of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games," said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie . "The eyes of the world will be on us during the Games and Richmond Revealed will tell the stories of our past, present and future."

Richmond Revealed will showcase other leading local industries such as aerospace, aviation, technology and transportation. Other highlights of Richmond Revealed include:

    
    -   A giant inukshuk, up to seven stories in height, constructed out of
        stacked shipping containers.
    -   A room-sized model of the Canadarm, Canada's internationally-famous
        contribution to the International Space Station and US Space Shuttle,
        along with models of the Mars Rover and other aerospace projects
        contributed to by Richmond's aerospace leaders.
    -   A spectacular double dragon dance accompanied by mass tai-chi
        performance on Chinese New Year on February 14, 2010. The dragons are
        150 metres and 75 metres in length.
    

In addition to the large cranberry installation in the Fraser River, the water feature at Richmond City Hall will also be filled with cranberries. To celebrate Richmond's agriculture industry, visitors will be able to meet with local cranberry growers, as they demonstrate how cranberries are harvested.

"Our family has been growing cranberries in Richmond for four generations, and we're proud to continue the tradition of farming my great grandfather began in the 1880s," said Richmond Ocean Spray grower-owner Todd May . "It's incredibly gratifying to grow a fruit that's versatile, good for you, and is enjoyed by people in different countries all over the world."

The City of Richmond is home to the Richmond Olympic Oval, the signature venue of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, which will host 12 days of long-track speed skating competition. The City will also be home to the Richmond O Zone (www.richmondozone.ca), the largest official celebration site of the 2010 Games, featuring 17 days of free world-class live entertainment, sports and culture.

For more information on Richmond Revealed visit www.richmond.ca/richmondrevealed

Attn: Assignment Editors and Producers:

Please refer to conceptual illustration of the cranberry illustration in its location on the Fraser River in front of the Richmond Oval.

Additional B-Roll footage and an information video on cranberry harvesting is available at www.barberstock.com/barbershop/ Use richmond as your user name and password to access the site.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media Contact: Ted Townsend, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications Tel: [phone], Cell: [phone], Email: [email protected]