Surrey – On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Nina Grewal, Member of Parliament (Fleetwood-Port Kells), today announced funding of $46,000 for the City of Surrey, to help support the 2010 Surrey Children's Festival.

"This annual celebration of live music, theatre, and dance inspires the minds and imaginations of our country's younger generations," said MP Grewal. "Our government is proud to again support the Surrey Children's Festival and applauds the valuable contribution it makes to this community by bringing artists and children and their families together for exceptional cultural programming."

"The Children's Festival offers a unique opportunity to engage young people and help them develop a passion for the arts," continued. Our government recognizes the importance of this event to our community and is providing financial support to help ensure its continued success."

The City of Surrey will present the three-day festival from June 3 to June 5, 2010, at the Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park. This year there will be a series of multidisciplinary events including puppetry, musical arts, literary arts, theatre and dance. Other events will include circus arts, clay arts, and imaginative play.  

The Government of Canada is providing funding for the Surrey Children’s Festival through the Arts Presentation Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program gives Canadians increased access to the diversity and richness of Canada's culture through professional arts festivals, presentations of live professional performances, and other artistic experiences.