Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Get set for year-long birthday bash
By: Sandy Klowak
30/12/2009 1:00 AM |
Comments: 10
TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
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Kevin Walters, executive director of Homecoming 2010, says Manitobans are a tough bunch who know how to enjoy a harsh winter. He says we want to showcase our province to the country.
Manitoba is gearing up for a celebration of epic proportions.
Manitoba Homecoming 2010 is a year-long celebration marking the province's 140th birthday. It showcases everything the province has to offer, and the party kicks off at The Forks on New Year's Eve.
"Our main goal is to attract expat Manitobans to come home during 2010," Kevin Walters, executive director of the organizing committee, said Wednesday. "I think people who move away retain their connection to the province."
The celebration is a partnership between the provincial government, Destination Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba. It's in conjunction with the federal government's designation of Winnipeg as one of Canada's cultural capitals of 2010.
"We believe there's tons to do here and people should come back and experience it," Walters said.
Of course, it's also a great opportunity for resident Manitobans, as well as those who have never lived here, to enjoy the province.
Homecoming 2010 hopes to generate $30 million in tourism revenue and attract 50,000 visitors during the year, Walters said.
"It's an opportunity to promote the positives of the province."
One of those positives is a Winnipeg winter, said Josee Vaillancourt, executive director of Festival du Voyageur.
Homecoming's Saison Voyageur is partnering with the Festival. It spans most of January and February, promoting winter activities throughout the province, culminating in the 10-day Festival du Voyageur.
"Winter can be quite long in Winnipeg and this initiative could encourage people to get out and enjoy all the winter activities we have," Vaillancourt said.
And while non-Manitobans may be scared of our notoriously harsh winters, Vaillancourt said it all starts with us leading a positive example.
"Manitobans are made tough. They can definitely handle it and we want to show the rest of the country what we have."
Winnipeg is not the only place getting in on the action -- Homecoming activities span the province.
Brandon will host the 2010 Memorial Cup, the 10-day Canadian Hockey League tournament in May, marketed as a Homecoming event, along with a Homecoming social.
"There's been lots and lots of development in the city in the past few years," said Lois MacDonald, manager of Brandon Tourism and event manager for the Memorial Cup. "We're just thrilled to be able to show off our city."
Other Brandon Homecoming highlights include special attraction passes to the city's three museums and a winter and summer fair.
Brandon has never participated in a tourism campaign this comprehensive, MacDonald said.
"Homecoming is great because it has its own brand and its own focus."
sandy.klowak@freepress.mb.ca
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Upcoming events
Dec. 31: Official kickoff as part of the Scotiabank Family New Year's Eve at The Forks: day-long family activities with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Jan. 2: The Concert: A variety of artists perform at Centennial Concert Hall, 8 p.m.
Jan. 4: Homecoming sacred fire: 36-hour aboriginal ceremony at The Forks, to ensure safe travelling for Manitobans returning home
Jan. 1-Feb. 28: Saison Voyageur: a celebration of winter events in Winnipeg, in partnership with Festival du Voyageur
For more information, visit www.manitobahomecoming2010.com
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 30, 2009 A6
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...-80327922.html