(Charlottetown, PE, December 12, 2007) – The largest winter weekend east of Quebec City is back! Don’t miss the 4th Annual Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest presented by the Confederation Bridge, February 22-24, 2008.

For the second year, the festival will offer family fun in both indoor and outdoor locations. The Aliant Snow Kingdom and all outdoor activities will be located at Confederation Landing Park. Families can warm up this year in three indoor locations: NEW PEPSI Live Indoor Stage at the Historic Charlottetown Seaport Event Centre, CIBC Indoor PlayLand at the Charlottetown Civic Centre and Hasbro® PlayZone & LEGO®Town at The Shops of the Confederation Court Mall.  

The pinnacle of the Festival is the Aliant Snow Kingdom located at Confederation Landing Park, a magical land where rascal Pirates will meet fairytale Princesses. This year’s Pirate and Princess themed Aliant Snow Kingdom will see visitors entering through the hull of a pirate ship on one side and on the other, a castle fit for a princess. Canada's Olympic champion snow sculptors are back to delight you with their amazing works of snow and ice. Plus, there will be snow sculpting school, a snow climbing wall and ice bowling!  

“Based on visitor feedback, Tourism Charlottetown is pleased to announce that the popular Children's Shows will be relocated indoors to the Historic Charlottetown Seaport Event Centre located at the Cruise Port, says Kevin Murphy, President of Tourism Charlottetown.  “As well, we’ve added complimentary transportation provided by Trius Tours and Downtown Charlottetown Inc. between all Jack Frost Venues & Jack Frost Official Hotels.  These improvements coupled with the significant changes that were incorporated in 2007 will improve the overall visitor experience.  Over 13,000 people are expected to attend this year’s festival,” adds Murphy.

The popular indoor children’s shows will be on the NEW PEPSI Live Indoor Stage inside the new Historic Charlottetown Waterfront Special Events Centre. You’ve seen them on one of Treehouse TV’s highest-rated shows; now for the 1st time in Charlottetown catch TOOPY and BINOO on an incredible imaginary adventure LIVE. Their vivid imaginations and adorable personalities inspire and amuse children all over the world. As well, Spider-Man, Storm, Incredible Hulk and The Green Goblin will deliver an exciting, action packed, live show featuring thrilling stunts, acrobatic skills, special lights and smoke effects.

This year’s outdoor show promises to wow audiences with a combination of action and athleticism!! Appearing for the first time in Charlottetown are The Flying Canucks presented by McDonald’s Restaurants. They are elite athletes in the Olympic sports of freestyle skiing, moguls, snowboard and trampoline. Watch as past, present and future Olympians offer unique, one-of-a-kind performances on snow, off a 40-foot mobile ski ramp, and on trampolines. Soaring 30 feet in the air, they jump, flip, twist, and turn individually and simultaneously in synchronization, to high energy music.  

Get ready to be delighted as we light up the night with a dazzling display of fireworks and pyrotechnics choreographed to a pirate theme. With unique special effects and an energetic musical background, this is definitely not your everyday fireworks show.  The Fireworks show will take place on Friday and Saturday evening at 7pm and are proudly presented by our friends at The Charlottetown Driving Park Entertainment Centre.

With the moon and stars to guide them, and secret landmarks to remind them, pirates of old were usually able to find their buried treasure. But what if they left some treasure behind in Charlottetown? Come join your fellow pirates on the Loot Route presented in part by The South Shore Tourism Association, a scavenger hunt that uses a special treasure map or for the high tech GPS technology. Uncover the hidden treasures and secret clues. Solve the puzzle and it will lead you to our treasure chest. Limited GPS units will be available for rent but are not required for the scavenger hunt.   Bring your own and join in!

Keep busy and warm up inside at the CIBC Indoor PlayLand located at the Charlottetown Civic Centre. This year there are so many new and exciting things to do with inflatable attractions like the Treasures of the Caribbean, favourite carnival rides, video games, pin ball, air hockey, pony ides and a Jack Frost Dance Mat. Check out the new hands-on Petting Zoo presented by Atlantic Superstore with goats, exotic chickens, donkeys, llamas, pigs, ducks, and much more! Plus there’s a Science Fair, presented by Science East with interactive science exhibits: a science show, planetarium, a workshop about snowflakes, and an opportunity to make an indoor snowstorm!

The Shops of Confederation Court Mall has lots of fun stuff in store. We’ve partnered with Hasbro® and LEGO® to create fun indoor events. Hasbro, a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment, will offer family fun activities with Play-Doh and Mr. Potato Head. Plus meet Squawkers the talking parrot, or try your hand at High School Musical Twister. LEGO® Town returns to The Shops of Confederation Court Mall, providing building and learning fun.

Plus don’t miss popular returning Festival favourites: Outdoor Buskers presented by Commercial Tents, Horse and Sleigh Rides presented by the City of Charlottetown, Technomedia Snow Maze, The Cat Run, McDonald’s Atlantic Canadian Snow Sculpting Championship, Kent Building Supplies Magical Outdoor Skating Rink, CTV’s Professional Snow & Ice Sculpting Demos with the Canadian Snow Sculpture Team, and the Murphy Group of Restaurants Warm Up Tent.

Get your tickets early to avoid the rush. Jack Frost Tickets make the perfect Stocking Stuffer. Tickets to the Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest are now on sale at:

•    The Shops of Confederation Court Mall
•    The Confederation Bridge Office on Queen Street
•    Online at www.charlottetowntickets.com
•    Or call the Aliant Festival Hotline 1-800-955-1864.

Starting in the New Year, tickets will be available at McDonald’s Island-wide and Atlantic Superstore’s Island-wide, as well as participating Atlantic Superstore’s in Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John, Truro, Amherst and New Glasgow.

Advance Weekend Tickets are $14 ($19 at the door) and Advance Sunday Tickets are $10 ($13 at the door) plus taxes and a $1 service fee. Children 2 and under are free.  Tickets available while supplies last.

Jack Frost Hotel Packages are also now on sale, contact Destination PEI at 902-566-5466 for complete details.

Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest promises to be a family weekend not to be missed!! This year’s theme is Pirates and Princesses and Jack Frost is encouraging everyone to dress up for the occasion. Come celebrate the magic of winter at the 4th Annual Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest presented by the Confederation Bridge. Visit online at www.jackfrostfest.com for complete details.

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©2007 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Toopy & Binoo, 2007 SPECTRA ANIMATION INC. TM Spectra Animation Inc. All Rights Reserved. ™ & © 2007 Marvel. This publication is produced under MARVEL license.

Background:

The Jack Frost Children’s WinterFest is a project of Tourism Charlottetown.  Last year proved to be a record-breaking year with ticket sales increasing by 8%. Over 12,000 adults and children passed through the gates. In total 560 hotel packages were sold representing 954 room nights. Jack Frost started in 2005 and is presented by The Confederation Bridge.