Government of Canada Supports Arts and Heritage in Tri-Cities Area

PORT MOODY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 24, 2011) - Residents of the Tri-Cities area will be able to enjoy another successful Golden Spike Days Festival, and other community arts and heritage celebrations, thanks to support from the Government of Canada. Funding was announced today by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and Member of Parliament (Port Moody–Westwood–Port Coquitlam).

This funding will support the Golden Spike Days Festival, the Port Moody Station Museum, and the Minnekhada Park Association.

"With Canada's economic recovery still fragile, our Government is focused on creating jobs and economic growth throughout British Colu mbia," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to support the Port Moody Station Museum and other local arts and heritage projects in the Tri-Cities area. These festivals and commemorative activities bring people together and strengthen our local economy."

The Golden Spike Days Festival celebrates the area's history and pays homage to Port Moody as the original western terminus of the Canadian Pacific Railway line across Canada. The Festival, which runs from July 1 to 3, will feature a variety of activities including dance, music, crafts, and theatrical performances. This year's festival will also include a theatre troupe that will re-enact the period when CP Rail connected the community with the eastern part of Canada.

In 2011, the Port Moody Station Museum will commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Trans-Canada passenger train at Port Moody, by renovating the museum that houses exhibits and artefacts presenting local history. The project will also preserve a historic railcar, the Venosta, by creating a sheltered outdoor performance space for the expression, celebration, and preservation of Port Moody's history.

The Minnekhada Art in the Park festival will take place in Coquitlam, B ritish Columbia from August 6 to 7. Local musicians, artists, artisans, storytellers, and children's performers will celebrate the area's art, nature and heritage in an outdoor setting.

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $35,100 to the Port Moody Golden Spike Days Society, $86,070 to the Port Moody Heritage Society, and $7,900 to the Minnekhada Park Association, through the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in activities that present local arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. 

This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.