Queen's Park – Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop announced today that the Eves government is providing $5,000 to help promote the 2003 Orillia Winter Carnival in Central Ontario. The funding comes from the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation"s Tourism Event Marketing Partnership (TEMP) program.

"Our government is pleased to match last year"s contribution to this popular community event," said Dunlop. "I encourage families to attend the Winter Carnival and enjoy the many activities that will be available to people of all ages."

The 2003 Orillia Winter Carnival will be held February 7-9. Events include the Polar Bear Dip, adult dances, World Famous KenJen Petting Zoo, daily pancake breakfasts featuring celebrity cooks, helicopter and horse-drawn sleigh rides, and lumberjack shows. The traditional ice and snow sculptures and 2,000-square-foot ice castle will also be featured.

"The Orillia Winter Carnival has become an important part of Orillia"s heritage, going back over 50 years," said Dunlop. "Businesses can only benefit from the boost the event will again provide to the local economy."

New for this year"s carnival are the Bandstand Theatre, Gospel Elvis, Natasha the Clown, and chain-saw carving.

Contacts:
Garfield DunlopJulie Kwiecinski
MPP Simcoe NorthE.A. to Garfield Dunlop
(705) 327-4500 (cell)(416) 325-6176