HERITAGE FAIRS IN OTTAWA

The Ottawa Heritage Fairs Organizing Committee, in partnership with the Historica Foundation, the Historical Society of Ottawa, The Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa, the Heritage Advisory Committee and the City of Ottawa plus many schools, both public and private, are pleased to announce the beginning of what is hoped will become a long standing tradition in Ottawa-the first Regional Heritage Fair in the City! In 2002, more than 167000 students across Canada in Grades 4 through 9 participated in local, regional and a national heritage Fair demonstrating their knowledge of the heritage that has been passed down to them and how that heritage is relevant in today's world. In 2003, Ottawa's young people will participate for the first time in a regional fair and in the National Fair to be held in Sudbury in July. Further information on Heritage Fairs generally can be found on www.histori.ca.

Ottawa's Heritage Fair will be held on May 8 in the Aberdeen Pavilion at Lansdowne Park; a building that has in itself contributed to Ottawa's history! Together with the heritage projects developed in the schools, local heritage organizations will be on hand to display their own special emphasis on local history-archaeology, built heritage, cultural landscapes, genealogy and various other aspects of the traditions of the area. (can be expanded here) School projects can be poetry, plays, songs, stories or displays or even computer presentations. Costumed characters from the past will be present and historical figures will tell their stories. School presentations will be reviewed and projects chosen to go to the National Fair which best represent Ottawa's history. Students whose projects are chosen will have their expenses paid to go to Sudbury in July and meet others from all across Canada.

Celebrating our Heritage and history is a means to understand our past, and the trials and problems that were overcome by many different people coming to Canada. By understanding our past, we learn lessons to help us cope with the present and plan for the future. History does repeat itself and we can do no better thing for our young people than show them the triumphs and mistakes that have been made by their predeceesors.