Prince Edward Island welcomes provincial partners to join in 2014 celebrations

CHARLOTTETOWN, May 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Prince Edward Island welcomes six provinces as partners in this year's 2014 celebrations. 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference – the event that led to the creation of our nation.  The PEI 2014 celebrations will pay tribute to the goodwill fostered by the Fathers of Confederation in 1864 while celebrating our national diversity and showcasing the best in Canadian arts, culture and heritage.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan will each be showcased at various times in the PEI 2014 Celebration Zone, the cornerstone of the PEI 2014 Celebrations. Located on the beautiful Charlottetown waterfront, the PEI 2014 Celebration Zone will be a hub of celebratory activity all summer long, offering FREE family-friendly cultural programming 7 days a week from July 1^st to September 7^th.  

During a designated week, each provincial partner will showcase its unique cultural offering, including performing artists on the Atlantic Lottery/Red Shores Main Stage; regional cuisine, in the Culinary Pavilion; and arts and heritage programming in the Canada Pavilion.  Additionally, the Celebration Zone will feature artists from Prince Edward Island woven in with the showcased performers from across the country.

Quick Facts:

• PEI 2014 Celebration Zone operates daily from July 1 to September 7
• Nova Scotia week – July 3 to 6
• Ontario week – July 7 to 13
• Alberta week – July 14 to 20
• Manitoba week- July 21 to 27
• British Columbia week – August 4 to 10
• Saskatchewan week – August 18 to 24

Quotes:

• "We are honoured to welcome these six provinces to the Birthplace of Confederation this summer," says Premier Robert Ghiz.  "The PEI 2014 Celebration Zone presents a unique opportunity for provinces from across Canada to celebrate our rich culture and heritage together in the province where our nation got its start 150 years ago."

          -          The Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island

• "The 1864 Charlottetown Conference was the first chapter in the continuing story of our great nation. 150 years later, this event is an incredible opportunity to celebrate our strength in unity and our national diversity. We look forward to showcasing Alberta to Canada and the world alongside our provincial partners." 

          -          The Honourable Dave Hancock, Premier of Alberta

• "Those of us lucky enough to call Canada home know our greatest strength is our diversity – each province has something different to offer. From performing arts to cuisine, British Columbia Week will offer visitors a taste of the best B.C. has to offer."

          -          The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia

• "I'd like to thank Premier Ghiz for inviting our province to participate in this year's historic festivities," said Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger. "As Canadians and as Manitobans we have a lot to celebrate and to share with people across the country from coast to coast to coast."

          -          The Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba

• "Nova Scotia is pleased to help celebrate an important milestone in the birth of our nation and showcase the diverse talent of our performers as PEI 2014 takes center stage in Charlottetown this summer."

          -          The Honourable Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia

• "Saskatchewan has a unique connection to the 1864 Charlottetown Conference as the table around which this discussion happened, upon which this document was signed, made its way west to be used by the legislative assembly of the North West Territories which would become the province of Saskatchewan in 1905," Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said. "The province of Saskatchewan is pleased to celebrate the journey that we have taken to become the dominion of Canada.  We are proud to showcase our province – a Saskatchewan that has more people living and working in it than ever before -- and look forward to hosting the country at PEI 2014."

          -          The Honourable Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan

SOURCE: Prince Edward Island 2014 Inc.

Media Contact: PEI 2014, Patricia Devine, Director of Communications, Phone: [phone], Cell: 314-0080, Email: [email protected]; Provincial Partner Media Contacts: Alberta: Trish Filevich, Press Secretary, Alberta Culture, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; British Columbia: Sam Oliphant, Press Secretary, Office of the Premier, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Manitoba: Glen Cassie, Communications Coordinator, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Nova Scotia: Michael Noonan, Intergovernmental Affairs, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Saskatchewan: Karen Webb, Parks, Culture and Sport, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]