March 15, 2008
NEWS RELEASE - Ministry of Tourism, Sport
and the Arts
INTERIOR BC150 EVENTS SHARE IN $1-MILLION FUND
VICTORIA
– BC150 Community Funding Program grants are being awarded to
community groups and organizations in the East Kootenay and
Columbia regions staging three local BC150 celebrations,
Tourism, Sport and the Arts Minister Stan Hagen announced today.
“History
was made everywhere in the province – and local communities will
be the foundation of BC150 celebrations,” said Hagen. “Funding
available through the BC150 Community Funding program extends to
every region of the province, helping to make hometown
festivals, arts and culture exhibitions extra special for
families and visitors in 2008.”
Through
2010 Legacies Now, Spirit of BC Community Committees worked with
community leaders and event hosts to develop plans for local
BC150 celebrations. BC150 Community Funding Program projects
support the BC150 pillars of: heritage, communities,
multiculturalism, Aboriginals, and arts and culture, and reflect
the unique nature of each British Columbia community.
Funded
events in Kimberley are Miners’ Days, to be held in August
featuring activities that celebrate the area’s mining history;
and the Kimberley International Music and Dance Festival in
September, which celebrates the heritage of the community’s
immigrant population.
In
Revelstoke, Railway Days in August is the community’s annual
10-day signature event to commemorate railway history and
heritage.
“There is
an amazing range of events that will draw visitors and
residents, and boost community pride,” said Hagen. “Country
fairs, winter fests, art and historical exhibitions – a wide
variety of activities representing British Columbia at its
grassroots.”
This year,
B.C. is celebrating BC150, the 150th anniversary of the founding
of the Crown Colony of British Columbia in 1858. Every community
in the province is invited to participate in this year-long
celebration of B.C.’s cultural diversity, community strength and
widespread achievement. For more information on BC150 programs
and events, visit
www.BC150.ca.
Railway Days 2008
All
aboard for Revelstoke’s major ten-day
festival commemorating Revelstoke’s
railway history and heritage. From model
railroads, speeder rides, magic lantern
shows, music, and special exhibitions at
all of the community’s museums, Railway
Days is a memorable celebration for the
whole family!
Our theme for 2008 is “Chinese Legacy”
and we have added a number of special
events in keeping with this theme.
• The Revelstoke Railway Museum will
open a new, special exhibition
interpreting the Chinese contribution
during the construction of the Trans
Continental Railway and subsequent
Chinese labour on the railway.
•
The Revelstoke Museums & Archives will
open a new, special exhibition
interpreting the Chinese community in
Revelstoke.
• Vancouver’s renowned Orchid Ensemble
will present Triaspora, a cultural
exploration of the Chinese Canadian
experience through music, dance, and
interactive multimedia.
In town, Railway Days will include
nightly concerts in Grizzly Plaza, magic
lantern presentations at the Nickelodeon
Museum, speeder demonstrations at the CP
“wye”, a flower show, a “taste of
Revelstoke” beer garden, walking tours
featuring Revelstoke’s architectural
gems, performances by the Revelstoke
Radio Players,
and a vintage car show.
At the Railway Museum, rail fans will
get to see CP 5500, the first SD-40
locomotive purchased by Canadian
Pacific, and a chance to see slides and
hear talks on railway history. A new
exhibition, Prints from CPR Magic
Lantern Slides 1885 - 1930 will be
on display and lunch will be served in
the Railway Museum’s Business Car #4.
