News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

February 21, 2018

Province Announces Winnipeg Music Festival Receives Celebrate Manitoba Designation

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Designation Recognizes 100th Anniversary Celebration: Cox

The Winnipeg Music Festival has received special designation under the Celebrate Manitoba program, which honours long-running community events, fairs and festivals, Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox announced today.

“The Winnipeg Music Festival has the unique distinction of entertaining Manitobans for a century and that is a milestone worth celebrating,” Cox said.  “Year after year, this festival has brought incredible talent to the stage and obviously struck a chord with the audience to last 100 years.”

The Celebrate Manitoba program was created to officially recognize cultural festivals that have celebrated the province’s heritage for 50 years or longer, the minister noted.  Designated festivals receive an official Celebrate Manitoba certificate after 50 years and festivals celebrating 100 years or more will receive a commemorative plaque.

The Winnipeg Music Festival launched in 1919 with 274 entries and about 2,500 participants competing.  It continues to grow and has developed a reputation of excellence over the years while drawing participants from around the province, other parts of Canada and the northern United States.  This year’s festival runs Feb. 21 to March 18 featuring performances at venues around Winnipeg.

Events eligible for the Celebrate Manitoba designation include cultural, community or arts festivals that provide reasonable confirmation of long-running operation of more than 50 years, demonstrate significant community partnership and engagement, and demonstrate the respectful preservation and sharing of culture through their activities.

For more information or to nominate a festival, contact the Manitoba Sport, Culture and Heritage Arts Branch at 204-945-3847 in Winnipeg or visit www.gov.mb.ca/chc/artsbranch.


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