Next year Prince George will be a stop for a national "interactive media touring festival" celebrating Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation.
City council unanimously supported the request for $50,000 - cash or in kind - needed to participate in SESQUI, short for "sesquicentennial."
"This funding would cover costs associated with the parking lot rental rates, temporary safety fencing, garbage receptacles, and more," said a staff report, adding the funds would be pulled from the Major Events Reserve. That, in turn, comes from city's Gaming Revenues. In the past it's helped fund the 2015 Canada Winter Games, the 2016 Canadian Native Fastball Championships, and the 2016 BC Midget Tier 2 Championships.
"It's actually a really incredible event," Diane Bilodeau, the city's event coordinator, told council Monday night. "We are hoping it will be working with school programs... We're working with it to be hosted at Exhibition Park and we're hoping to also pair with other events to create a 150 celebration."
The traveling exhibit will have three domes that create "a 360 degree cinematic experience, interactive content, live events, online activities and education programs."
"It showcases the best in Canadian culture and innovation," a staff report said. "The domes attempt to create the level of excitement and up-selling of national pride that our country felt during Expo 67."
The free festival is expected to come to Prince George for five days in May or June.
In March, Ottawa announced $9.5 million in support of the event.
"TheSESQUI cultural tour will highlight our country's treasures andbring together Canadians from coast to coast to coast," said heritage minister Melanie Joly in the release.
To tie in with Canada's 150 celebrations, the city is creating a fund committee "to promote and have strong community engagement throughout the year with focus throughout the month of July 2017," a staff report says.
This summer, Bilodeau said she's working with local groups to offer fitness programs and a July Art Walk.
"We're trying to activate the Plaza this summer," said Bilodeau, who is also working on a number of upcoming events, including the B.C. Summer Games bid in 2020 or 2022.
"It certainly has been a fast and furious ride in this role," said Bilodeau. Her position was created as part of the 100th anniversary celebration, to "build on successes" of 2015.
