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NEWS RELEASE          For release Mar. 20, 2008

Federal grant of $94,800 for 150th anniversary celebrations

Southampton, Ont., March 20, 2008 -- The 150th Anniversary Committee is pleased to say that the federal Department of Canadian Heritage today announced funding of $94,800 for the Southampton 150th Anniversary Celebrations.

Here is the text of the department's news release.

The Government of Canada Supports Southampton 150th Anniversary Celebration

SOUTHAMPTON, Ontario, March 20, 2008 - Southampton is marking its 150th anniversary this year, and thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, a number of celebrations are taking place from February 16 to December 31, 2008.

On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) today announced funding for these celebrations, which are designed to inspire community pride and recognize 150 years of history in Southampton.

The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce will receive funding of $94,800 for activities organized to mark this anniversary. Activities will include performances by local artists and musicians.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to announce funding for the Southampton 150th Anniversary Celebration," said Minister Verner. "We are proud to partner with communities to support activities that celebrate local history, arts, and heritage."

"Our Government believes in and supports the preservation of Canadian history," said Mr. Shipley. "Our support for the 150th anniversary celebrations exemplifies the importance our Government places on each and every community across the country, no matter how large or small."

"We're delighted to receive this grant from Canadian Heritage," said Shirley Irwin, Co-Chair of the Southampton 150th Steering Committee. "It is wonderful that grant programs like this exist to help communities celebrate their heritage and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."

The new Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH) program, announced in September 2007, provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and celebrations in Canada throughout the coming year.

The Government of Canada is committed to building stronger communities and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to get involved in their communities and in celebrating Canadian arts and heritage.

Information
Dominic Gosselin, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788
Maya Kane, Manager, Regional Communications, Ontario Region, Canadian Heritage, 416-954-6615

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THE 2008 CELEBRATIONS

  For all news releases, see www.familyhelper.net/150/news

 2008 marks 150 years since Southampton was incorporated as a village on July 24, 1858. For more about Southampton's 150th Anniversary, see www.saugeenshores.ca/southampton150

  Celebrations culminate in the 150th Anniversary Weekend, Aug. 14-17, 2008, featuring a parade, musical events, car show, dance ... and closing ceremonies at Fairy Lake. Throughout the year many local groups have planned their own events. To see all 150th anniversary events, pick up the Events Flyer at the Chamber of Commerce and at various locations around Southampton, or visit www.familyhelper.net/150/events.html

  The Southampton, Then and Now calendar is available at selected locations, listed at www.familyhelper.net/150/calendar.html.

 See the summary of 150 years of Southampton history (1816 to 1993) at www.familyhelper.net/150/historydates.html

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The Southampton 150th Anniversary Committee is composed of volunteers and is a sub-committee of the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce. As a steering committee, it works closely with local groups and organizations, which also run their own 150th anniversary events along with their regular programming.



Southampton 150th   Southampton 150th Anniversary
Box 1133, Southampton ON N0H 2L0
 southampton150info@saugeenshores.ca
 www.saugeenshores.ca/southampton150
Media Enquiries: Duncan McCallum, 519-797-2043
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