Alberta Centennial Kick-off Party

One of the biggest parties in provincial history will kick off Alberta Centennial celebrations and mark the start of the three-day Royal Visit to Alberta on Victoria Day, May 23 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

The free public event marks 100 days to the province's 100th birthday on September 1. The Alberta Centennial Kick-off Party will feature a continuous program of family entertainment starting at 2 p.m. The concert event, created by noted Alberta performance director Tom Peacocke, celebrates the province's heritage, diversity and future promise, and will feature acts ranging from Aboriginal and folk to country, jazz and hip hop.

Masters of ceremonies Paul Gross, Lorne Cardinal, Colin MacLean and Renelle Fagnan-Roy will introduce a variety of performers including Ian Tyson, Oscar Lopez, Tommy Banks, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the White Buffalo Drums and Dancers, Corb Lund, the Trincan Steel Band and White Chocolate, among many others. More than 1,500 dancers, musicians and cultural entertainers will be featured in the celebration.

Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will join the huge celebration as part of their Alberta visit to mark the province's 100th birthday. The Queen will watch performances, inspect the Guard of Honour and cut a special birthday cake. Queen Elizabeth will be joined by Lieutenant Governor Norman Kwong, Premier Ralph Klein, Community Development Minister Gary Mar, Mayor Stephen Mandel and other dignitaries.

Approximately 50,000 tickets to the May 23 celebration will be offered free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis starting April 26, from the Rexall Place Ticketmaster outlet in Edmonton.

Tickets can also be obtained by visiting other Ticketmaster outlets, by calling Ticketmaster at (780) 451-8000 or by ordering on-line at www.ticketmaster.ca.  Service charges ranging from .50 cents to $2.50 will apply to ticket pick-up at Ticketmaster outlets other than Rexall Place, as well as phone and online orders.

Edmonton Transit will operate Park and Ride service to and from Commonwealth Stadium and free transit service will be available to anyone presenting an event ticket. Edmonton Transit's Park and Ride program will be in effect from several key locations including the Heritage and Kingsway malls and the Davies, Calder and Burns city lots. More information is available by calling (780) 423-0052.

Preferred ticket seats are available to any groups requesting a minimum of 20 tickets. All ticket service charges will be waived for group tickets. More information on group charter and bus access information can be obtained by calling (780) 421-1051.

More information