Ottawa Brings in the New Year with a Bang
Toronto, December 12, 2007 – The National Capital Commission in Ottawa is planning a major New Year's Eve celebration that will include a stunning, family-friendly fireworks display at 18:57 (6:57 pm) to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Ottawa being named as Canada's capital. There will also be a second fireworks display at midnight as a salute to Québec City and its 400th anniversary in 2008.
Fireworks displays planned to honour important anniversaries
This will be the first time that Ottawa has brought in the New Year with fireworks since millennium celebrations in 1999/2000.
On December 31, 1857, Queen Victoria announced that she had chosen Ottawa as Canada's capital, over rival cities Kingston, Toronto, Montréal and Québec City. In part, the choice was due to Ottawa's strategic distance from the U.S. (the War of 1812 was still fresh in many people's minds at this time) as well as its location on the border between traditionally English- and French-speaking populations.
On December 31, 2007 at 18:57 (6:57 pm), the musical fireworks show dubbed ‘The Grand Finale' will mark the 150th anniversary of this "capital choice". The Canadian Museum of Civilization will be the ideal vantage point from which to watch, and will offer free admission from 5 pm – 9 pm (except to the featured exhibit). Enjoy family activities such as Celtic music, dancing, a noisemaker workshop and more.
The celebration will include an explosion of fireworks from Nepean Point, cascades of light on the Alexandra Bridge, special lighting effects and projections on the shore of the Ottawa River, and pyrotechnical displays at the Ottawa Locks–all to the captivating rhythms of a special soundtrack!
A second fireworks display will take place at midnight to salute the 400th anniversary of Québec City. This display will last 400 seconds in honour of the 400th anniversary.
Packages and hotel room nights can be booked online at www.ottawatourism.ca or by calling 888-OTTAWA-8. Packages are available for singles, couples, families, friends and more. For instance, the Family Discovery Package offers two nights' accommodation for 4 people (max. 2 adults), family admission to two activities / museums, and a Rideau Centre Visitor Values coupon book–starting at just $200.
Other activities in late December in Ottawa include:
· Deck the Halls, where you can enjoy the decorations inside Parliament Hill's Centre Block and the view from the Peace Tower, December 26-30, 2007
· Night Fever at the Casino du Lac-Leamy Theatre, with its parade of hits from the Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Village People, Gloria Gaynor, KC and the Sunshine Band and more, December 12-31, 2007
· Bell Capital Cup, with almost 500 teams of young hockey players from Europe, the U.S. and Canada, December 28, 2007-January 1, 2008
· Christmas Lights Across Canada, with 300,000 sparkling lights in the downtown cord, December 6, 2007-January 6, 2008
· Skating on the world's largest outdoor rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway (weather permitting)–get warmed up in time for the 30th edition of Winterlude on weekends from February 1 through 17, 2008.
· Exciting Ottawa Senators action against the Islanders (December 27), Capitals (December 29), Lightning (January 5) and more.
Ottawa Tourism provides destination marketing, strategic direction and leadership in cooperation with members and partners to service the travel media and attract visitors, tours and conventions to Ottawa and Canada's Capital Region. Its vision is to build recognition of Ottawa as an outstanding four-season tourism destination. Visit Ottawa Tourism at www.ottawatourism.ca
December 12, 2007
Posted in: Canada