Media Advisory - Photo Opportunity: Installation of Christmas Lights on Parliament Hill

OTTAWA, Nov. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Preparations are underway for the 29^th edition of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program. During the next few weeks, the installation of thousands of LED lights all along Confederation Boulevard will be completed.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

What:	Crews will be installing close to 15,000 LED lights on Parliament Hill
Where:	On the tall trees between the Centre and East blocks, near the statues of Sir John A. Macdonald and Queen Elizabeth II
Date:	Monday, November 18, 2013*
Time:	10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  (approximately)

*Please note that installation is weather permitting.

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Backgrounder

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The 29^th Edition of Christmas Lights Across Canada December 5, 2013, to January 7, 2014

HISTORY
The Christmas Lights Across Canada program, launched in 1985, was created to highlight landmarks and sites along Confederation Boulevard, including Parliament Hill, national museums, monuments, embassies, and other prominent institutions, as well as to add vibrancy to the Capital during the winter months and kick off the holiday season in Canada's Capital Region.

Every year, as part of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program, each province and territory decorates its capital city and holds its own lighting ceremony to contribute to this nationwide effort. Thousands upon thousands of holiday lights illuminate the country from coast to coast to coast, symbolically linking Canadians together with a multicoloured ribbon of light.

OFFICIAL ILLUMINATION CEREMONY
The 29^th edition of the Christmas Lights Across Canada program will kick off on December 5, 2013, with an official illumination ceremony held on Parliament Hill at 6 p.m. Thousands will gather for this annual ceremony. Those in attendance are invited to indulge in some favourite winter treats, BeaverTails® pastries and hot chocolate (free, while supplies last).

The event will be broadcast live on Rogers Television, Cable 22. An edited version will be re-broadcast throughout the holiday season on community cable stations across Canada.

OFFICIAL LIGHTING ROUTE
In Canada's Capital Region, more than 350,000 dazzling holiday lights brighten Confederation Boulevard, Canada's ceremonial route circling the heart of the Capital. The Boulevard encompasses Wellington Street, Mackenzie Street, Elgin Street, and Sussex Drive in downtown Ottawa, as well as Laurier Street in Gatineau and the Alexandra Bridge.

This year, Parliament Hill will be adorned with close to 15,000 red and white LED lights. Projections of snowflakes and a special lighting design will highlight the architectural features of the Centre Block.

Some of the best places to experience the lights include the front lawn of Parliament Hill, Confederation Square, and the Alexandra Bridge.

Manulife Financial is the exclusive sponsor of Christmas Lights Across Canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage

(media only), please contact:

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[e-mail] 

For more information, the public may contact 613-239-5000 or 1-800-465-1867 (toll free), TTY: 613-239-5090 or 1-866-661-3530 (toll free), or visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca.