News Release Archive

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--MATTHEW ACTIVITIES IN HALIFAX
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The Waterfront Development Corp., in co-operation with the
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, will host a weekend of
activities celebrating the long-anticipated arrival of the
Matthew.

At 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, the replica of explorer John Cabot's
15th-century sailing vessel and her 19-member crew will sail into
Halifax harbour. The Matthew will pass to the west of George's
Island at about 7:30 a.m., providing an excellent view from the
boardwalk that leads from the heliport to the Maritime Museum of
the Atlantic.

HMCS Sackville will sound a salute to the Matthew at 7:45 a.m.
The vessel will then sail to the Dartmouth waterfront and circle
back past Purdy's Wharf, the Sheraton and south to the museum
wharf where she will be docked for two days. Official ceremonies
begin at 9 a.m. Interpreters will be on hand to provide onlookers
with information on Cabot and the Matthew.

"This weekend of celebration holds something for everyone of all
ages," said Fred Were of the Waterfront Development Corp. "The
fantastic co-operation of the museum, the Italian Canadian
Cultural Association and Carpenters locals 83 and 392 will make
this a weekend to remember."

In honour of Giovanni Caboto's (John Cabot's) Italian heritage,
the Italian Canadian Cultural Association has organized a
festival along the waterfront, south of the Matthew berth.

Music, Italian cuisine, a beer garden and cultural arts displays
will highlight the event. There will also be performances by Arti
per Via, a group of 55 performers from Italy dressed in
18th-century costumes. The group will take part in parades
Saturday and Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. at the Sheraton and
winding their way down Granville Street and Lower Water Street to
the heliport.

At noon Saturday, the Italian ambassador to Canada and a minister
from the Venetian regional government will present a marble
monument to the Nova Scotia government in recognition of the
hundreds of thousands of Italian immigrants who landed in North
America at Halifax's Pier 21. Manning MacDonald, Minister of 
Economic Development and Tourism, will accept the marble
reproduction of St. Mark's Lion and the coat of arms of Venice at
the Summit Arch.

Queen's Wharf, to the north of the museum, is the site of the
National Carpenter's Apprentice Competition. At 9 a.m.,
apprentice carpenters representing the provinces and territories
will be given a set of never-before-seen blueprints. Each
apprentice will have until 4 p.m. to construct the "surprise"
items. On Sunday, once judging is complete, the items will be
part of a silent auction. Funds raised will go to Adsum House.


"With 1,500 carpenters in town for a national convention, this
event is the perfect way to showcase our talents," said Ken
Chisholm of the Carpenters locals. "We are pleased to add to the
festivities surrounding the Matthew and to contribute to a worthy
cause in our host city."

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Contact: Renee Field
         Economic Development and Tourism
         902-424-4998

ngr                     August 18, 1997 - 11:20 am