Tickets go on sale tomorrow for 2017 mass picnic on Alexandra Bridge

_ ** Update: Tickets sold out in about ten minutes! ** _ _ (press release) _

** Ottawa – ** Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin of Gatineau, the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, in collaboration with lead partner CIBC and Gatineau 2017, are happy to announce that tickets to the Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge will go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Ottawa 2017 is also pleased to welcome ACE Bakery® as an Official Supplier and the Official Bread for the celebrations of Canada’s 150

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anniversary in the nation’s capital.

A Canadian first, the Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge will take place on the Alexandra Bridge on July 2, 2017. The iconic steel truss structure that spans the Ottawa River between Ontario and Quebec will be transformed into a lush grassy haven for the event which will feature entertainment, samplings – including fresh baked breads from ACE Bakery – surprise giveaways and one of the most breathtaking views in the country.

Tickets for a picnic area on the bridge are $40 (plus tax and service charges) and can accommodate a maximum of four people. Seatings will take place at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 pm and will run for 1.5 hours each. Specific spots on the bridge can be selected online. Capacity for each seating is 650 people. Participants are invited to pack their favourite picnic items to dine on, or purchase pre-made baskets from a number of local food vendors who will be on-site July 2, 2017.

To purchase tickets, visit Ottawa2017.ca .

“Canada’s Capital Region is set to offer an array of activities to mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. The Government of Canada has provided a total of $5 million to support many of these activities in Ottawa, including the picnic on the Alexandra Bridge—which promises to be a memorable celebration,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The year 2017 is going to be an extraordinary one, and I encourage you to join the party!”

“We’re delighted to offer Canadians the opportunity to gather together in celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial at the ideal location to honour our country’s founding nations: a bridge that connects our French and English roots, over a waterway that is so significant to Aboriginal culture,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “The savoury partnership between ACE Bakery, a Canadian success story, and Ottawa 2017 will enable us to showcase fresh Canadian products to residents and visitors, enhancing their experience and boosting the positive impact that the celebrations have on our local economy.”

“The Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge, a joint initiative between the Ville de Gatineau and City of Ottawa, will showcase our two cities and celebrate both our unity and our diversity,” said Mayor Pedneaud-Jobin. “What will make it even more special is that the MosaïCanada 150 exhibition will be newly opened and picnickers can plan to make this free Gatineau 2017 event part of their outing.”

“As a proud Canadian company and one of North America’s leading artisan bakeries, we are honoured that ACE Bakery will be the Official Bread for the Ottawa 2017 celebrations,” said Sophia Rouleau, Marketing and Communications Manager, ACE Bakery. “We truly believe bread is a joy to make and a joy to share with others, so this is a great opportunity to invite everyone to discover great bread while celebrating Canada’s 150

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birthday!”

In addition to supplying bread for Picnic on the Bridge participants to share with their family and friends, ACE Bakery products will also be served at other yet-to-be-announced Ottawa 2017 culinary events.

“Canada’s 150

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anniversary is the perfect chance to work with and highlight Canadian businesses who contribute so much to our community,” said Monique Giroux, Vice-President, Sponsorship Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, CIBC. “From one home-grown company to another, we welcome ACE Bakery to the Ottawa 2017 partnership group and look forward to creating memorable – and tasty – experiences with them for all Canadians to enjoy.”

“We are excited to open ticket sales for the Picnic on the Bridge, and it will be an even more delicious experience thanks to our partners at ACE Bakery,” said Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. “The sight of thousands of picnic-goers breaking bread together on the Alexandra Bridge as we celebrate our country’s 150

th

anniversary will create magnificent visuals that will be shared around the globe on social media and generate international media coverage.”

“We are proud to participate in this joint activity with the Ottawa 2017 Bureau and, in collaboration with Outaouais Tourism, we will develop a program of family activities for July 2 to welcome residents and visitors," added Nathalie Brunette, Project Manager of the Gatineau 2017 Committee.

Canada’s 150

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celebrations will offer Canadians and visitors from around the world an exceptional and memorable year of high-caliber experiences while bringing a record number of visitors to Ottawa in 2017 to celebrate this important milestone for our country.

Ottawa 2017 thanks our lead partner CIBC, premier partner Bell, and the Government of Canada for their contributions in helping to deliver twelve full months of bold events, immersive experiences and all-out celebrations.