Festival du Voyageur Warms Up Winnipeg - Minister Glover joins thousands of Manitobans at annual winter celebration

OTTAWA, Feb. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, will join thousands of people celebrating the Franco-Manitoban joie de vivre at the 2014 Festival du Voyageur.

On February 14, Minister Glover will be the first-ever Honorary Parade Marshal of the Manitoba Hydro Torch Light Walk. She will guide hundreds of people bearing candles and torch lights on this annual walk from The Forks to Voyageur Park, where the official opening ceremonies will take place. A special celebration around a symbolic fire will formally kick off the 2014 edition of the Festival du Voyageur.

The Minister will also take part in the Gala des Rendez-vous de la Francophone, which will take place at the Relais du Voyageur at the Centre culturel franco-manitobain on February 16. The Gala, a joint effort of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie and Just for Laughs, celebrates the 15^th edition of the Rendez-vous.

Finally, Minister Glover will celebrate Manitoba's Louis Riel Day on February 17 at Voyageur Park. Along with hundreds of festival-goers wearing blue or white, she will participate in an attempt to create the largest "living" Métis flag ever.

Quick Facts

• The Festival du Voyageur is celebrating its 45^th anniversary in 2014.
• Manitoba's Louis Riel Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February.
• The Government of Canada has provided $99,500 for the 2014 edition of the Festival du Voyageur through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund.

Quotes
"I have been attending the Festival du Voyageur ever since I can remember, and I look forward to the entertainment, the food, and the historical re-enactments every year. There is no better way to beat the winter chill than to get out of the house and celebrate our proud French Canadian and Métis culture with friends and family."
—Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"We are pleased that Minister Shelly Glover is taking part in many of our activities during the 45^th edition of the Festival du Voyageur. It is a pleasure for us to be able to welcome the Minister in her new position as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages."
—Ginette Lavack Walters, Executive Director, Festival du Voyageur

Associated Links
Festival du Voyageur
Gala des Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
Louis Riel Day

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage