Toronto - June 27, 2011 – Ontario Place, Toronto’s premiere waterfront park, celebrates Canada Day with an unprecedented line-up of FREE festivities. For 14 hours, from 10 a.m. continuing until midnight, Ontario Place will offer a wealth of exciting entertainment featuring over 40 performances by 15 entertainers. The engaging entertainment will finish off with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the night sky over Lake Ontario, all completely free.

“It is a pleasure to celebrate the Canadian spirit with such an incredible line-up of events,” said John Tevlin, General Manager of Ontario Place. “The whole Ontario Place team is just buzzing to see the public come down to the waterfront and experience all the amazing performances, live shows and fireworks that we have lined up for Canada Day.”

In addition to free admission to the grounds, guests can also enjoy a dazzling array of free entertainment throughout the day:

• Canada Day Fireworks – Ontario Place is set to continue its summer tradition of breathtaking fireworks by the lake as a vibrant grand finale of Canada Day takes over the night sky beginning at 10:30 p.m. As the daytime entertainment winds down, guests can enjoy this incredible pyrotechnics show choreographed to music.
   
• Nova Scotia Tourism and Saltscapes – Experience the best of Nova Scotia! Beginning at 10 a.m. and taking place at East Island Plaza, this celebration of the East Coast features the best in music, food and culture as it features: East Coast music, taste tests of Nova Scotia products, cooking demos, a culinary competition with dueling Nova Scotia and Ontario chefs and much more.
   
• The Lost Dancers of the Six Nations – Back by popular demand, this unforgettable presentation of art, dance and Six Nations culture takes place at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and
  5 p.m. on the East Island Plaza and will energize audiences with a mesmerizing performance.
   
• Zero Gravity Circus Show – This amazing team of aerial acrobats reach unbelievable heights while performing breathtaking tricks at the Vista Courtyard. These skillful aerial performers will use two trampolines and a 4-foot wide wall as props to push the limits and dazzle the audience. Performances will take place at
  5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
   
• BlackBerry® and Roots are “Connecting Canada” – Featuring a special performance and autograph signing by Canada’s very own Kardinal Offishall, this unique event takes place from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Parking Lot 2 (just outside Ontario Place) and features a live DJ and an interactive look at the all-new BlackBerry PlayBook™ on-board a fully-customized 70ft. trailer.
   

The following live shows are included as part of Canada Day’s celebrations, but are also featured throughout the summer:

• Extreme Wake Series – Opening on July 1^st, the exciting first performance of this series will demonstrate the incredible abilities of the Extreme Wake Series’ wakeboarders and wakeskaters. Performing at 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Echo Bay, these performers will fly, spin, flip, and tumble along the water.
   
• Pipeworks Acrobatic Show – This mesmerizing acrobatic show will take you on a journey into a world where fire and water are no longer limited by gravity. Performances are at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. at East Island Plaza.
   
• Earth Rangers' Wild Experience Show – This multi-media presentation takes audiences on a trip around the world to meet and celebrate some of the planet’s most amazing creatures. Performances are at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. at Marina Square.
   

“Canada Day at Ontario Place has something for everyone from morning to night,” said Amanda Cacciotti, Manager of Events, Entertainment and Education at Ontario Place. “Every stage and every open space that can be booked has been booked. It’s going to be the party of the year. ”

For more information about Ontario Place, please visit www.ontarioplace.com

About Ontario Place

Ontario Place is a 96-acre premiere waterfront park located in downtown Toronto. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2011, Ontario Place features exhilarating rides and attractions including the newly renovated Cinesphere, now in IMAX^® 3D. Ontario Place was recently awarded the “Best Seasonal Attraction in the GTA” by readers of City Parent magazine in July 2011. Froster™ Soak City waterpark will soon add Topsy Turvy dual waterslides, plus a new lounge pool and sand beach right at the water’s edge, overlooking Lake Ontario. For more information about Ontario Place, please visit www.ontarioplace.com.

Ontario Place is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

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For more information contact:

Media Relations Department at (416) 314-9773, media@ontarioplace.com
Vanessa Somarriba at (416) 314-9814, vanessa.somarriba@ontarioplace.com