Today Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie and Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Vessey teamed up to launch a fun project for elementary school children.
At West Kent Elementary in Charlottetown, the Ministers unveiled a “welcome lantern challenge” in conjunction with the world renowned Cirque du Soleil performances scheduled as part of the upcoming all new Charlottetown Summerfest. The festival takes place on the waterfront from June 30 to July 4.
“We are calling on all school children in Grades 1 through 6 across the province to create lanterns to hang along Great George Street to help welcome Cirque to Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Doug Currie. “Cirque du Soleil really embraces the creativity and imagination of youth and we saw this as a great opportunity for our Island students to learn about Canada’s most famous entertainment troupe.”
All children will be receiving an information sheet via their school and they are encouraged to be as creative as they wish in making a lantern to welcome the one and only Cirque performers to Summerfest. All lanterns created should be delivered to Founder’s Hall by the end of the day, Monday, June 21. Founder’s Hall is open 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Of the lanterns submitted, three will be randomly drawn and each winning student will receive weekend passes to Summerfest for a family of four.
“The Department of Tourism and Culture is excited to see an educational project involving Cirque coming to PEI,” said Minister Vessey. “This is such an amazing opportunity for Islanders and Maritimers alike to learn about, and be entertained by, some of the world’s most unique performers.”
Since 1984, Cirque du Soleil shows have entertained more than 90 million people around the world. Now, this special Prince Edward Island themed event will thrill Islanders and visitors alike with its blend of acrobatics, circus performance, dance, music and more. Never to be seen anywhere else, this “made for PEI” live outdoor event will have three performances on the Historic Charlottetown waterfront beginning at 9:15 p.m. on June 30, July 2 and 4.
Summerfest information and ticket information can be accessed via the BellAliant Hotline at 1-800-955-1864 or on-line at www.charlottetownsummerfest.com.