| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2005
Enjoy “Season Preview Weekend”
at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
with special discount Admission Rates
Midland’s Sainte-Marie among the Hurons has announced an upbeat
“Season Preview Weekend” for Saturday and Sunday June 4-5
to kick off the 2005 tourism season.
The “Season Preview Weekend” will feature a special exhibit
in the Sainte-Marie Interpretive Museum commemorating the 1984 Papal Visit
to Huronia, including event memorabilia, television footage, and an engaging
photo-gallery. A special brochure will be available to show visitors the
Pontiff’s original tour through Sainte-Marie. Mission native alumni
Marie and Jennifer Brunelle and Anne-Marie McCue will be staffing the
Sainte-Marie longhouse and relaying their vivid experiences of Pope John
Paul II during his site visit in 1984. “I’m looking so forward
to the June 4-5 weekend and sharing my memories of the 1984 Papal Visit
with visitors - I loved working at Sainte-Marie and certainly meeting
the Pontiff in person was most special” noted Marie Brunelle.
Visitors will also be treated to guest artisans and exhibits in the Sainte-Marie
foyer. The Friends of Sainte-Marie has invited quilt maker Vivette Gignac
(June 4), whose beautiful quilts have been exhibited throughout North
America. On June 5 Velma Smith will show her exquisite quill boxes, one
of which was presented to Pope John Paul II for Canada’s World Youth
Day in 2002. Renowned area artisan Janet Holson-Mazzer will be displaying
her wares and demonstrating the potter’s wheel. Discovery Harbour
will also exhibit with costumed staff teaching sailor’s ropework.
The historic site will be brimming with activity. The dynamic Christian
Island Native Drumming Group will perform on Saturday June 4. Throughout
the weekend, visitors will encounter a costumed Samuel de Champlain, celebrating
400 years of French history in North America. Fun “hands-on”
activities with take-home keepsakes from quill pen writing, candle making,
and the fashioning of clay okies will delight children and families. Demonstrations
of the locked waterway, historic firestarting, blacksmithing, 17th-century
cooking, and native games will be programmed on both days.
As part of the special weekend, Restaurant Sainte-Marie will offer a
distinct menu including a heritage recipe for “Three Sisters”
Soup – a delicious medley of corn, beans and squash.
Special discount admission rates will be offered over the “Season
Preview Weekend”. “2 for 1” Adult admission, and just
$4.00 per person for students, youth, and seniors, makes this June 4-5
weekend highlight terrific value. Children ages 5 and under are free.
Site opening times are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last admission at
4:45 p.m.
For further information on the “Season Preview Weekend” just
call (705) 526-7838.
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Sainte-Marie among the Hurons is operated by Huronia Historical Parks,
and is an Attraction of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation.
Media Contact: Bill Brodeur
Marketing and Information Officer
Huronia Historical Parks
(705) 526-7838 Ext.320
E-mail: bill.brodeur@mtr.gov.on.ca
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