SYDNEY (NS) – February 25, 2009 – Alive on the Island, a new Christian music festival, is the latest event to help attract additional visitors to Cape Breton Island thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC).
Federal funding of $600,000 towards this initiative was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency).
“This festival has the potential to develop into a marquis tourist attraction benefiting the Cape Breton tourism industry,” said Minister Ashfield. “ECBC’s financial support over the next three years will support both the launch and growth of this festival which is expected to attract visitors from eastern Canada and the United States.”
This year’s festival will be held August 28-30, 2009 and feature an array of Christian music artists. For the inaugural year, many of the events will be held in Sydney but in future years, the intention is to host shows in venues across Cape Breton thereby encouraging visitors to stay longer, bringing additional economic benefits to other host communities.
Alive on the Island is being organized by the Cape Breton Christian Music Festival Society which comprises members from various Christian traditions. “Christian music represents one of the fastest growing music sectors in North America, said Brian Murray, Society Chairperson. The Society’s goal is to make this event the largest of its kind in Atlantic Canada.”
The total cost of organizing and marketing this festival over the next three years is
$1,778,500.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA’s programs on Cape Breton Island and the Mulgrave area.
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INFORMATION:
Terry Smith
Festival Community Relations Manager
902-565-6880
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
902-564-3617