New Spring Season at the Canada Agriculture Museum

New Spring Season at the Canada Agriculture Museum

OTTAWA, February 15, 2008
For immediate release

The Canada Agriculture Museum launches its new spring season. Highlights in March at the Canada Agriculture Museum include March Break Camp for children 9 to 11 years of age, Barnyard Break during the school break from March 1 to 16, a variety of Daily Demonstrations from March 17 to 31, and Easter from March 21 to 24. Also, as of March 1, museum-goers can visit the new exhibition Brewer’s Gold -The History of the Hop Industry in British Columbia and the always popular Tractors exhibition.

March Break Camp — March 10 to 14, 2008
The Canada Agriculture Museum is the place to be while school’s out! March Break Camp is offered for children ages 9 to 11 from March 10 to 14. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. children can help with the animal chores, play indoor and outdoor games, plant seedlings, make maple taffy, bake, make crafts, and even take part in a dog sledding ride! Children can get a taste of farm life with a week of hands-on fun! Spaces are very limited. To register call 613-991-3053.

Barnyard Break — March 1 to 16
The Canada Agriculture Museum launches its new spring season with Barnyard Break! Visitors will be able to participate in or watch informative demonstrations such as butter making and tasting, meeting the cow family or learning all about pigs by taking a “Pig Quiz”. In addition to learning about many farm animals such as the Museum’s Canadian breed horse, visitors can also groom a calf, watch the afternoon milking and, on weekends, warm up with a wintry recipe. A favourite March Break children’s activity is suggesting names for the Museum’s calves.

Easter March 21 to 24, 2008
The Canada Agriculture Museum celebrates the arrival of spring with a variety of activities throughout the Easter weekend. After a long and cold winter, the farm glows with the joyful birth of newborn animals. Visitors will have the chance to welcome gentle new lambs, rabbits and see newly-hatched fluffy chicks.

Exhibitions
New! Brewer’s Gold - The History of the Hop Industry in British Columbia
Starting March 1st, visitors can visit this new Brewer’s Gold exhibition. Hops are an important ingredient in beer because they add bitterness to the sweetness of the malt. Through artifacts and photographs, Brewer’s Gold tells the story of hop farming in British Columbia, one of the province’s first commercial agricultural crops.

Tractors
In the exhibition Tractors, visitors can follow the 100-year-old story of the tractor from unfamiliar oddity to commonplace tool on the Canadian farm.

DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS IN MARCH from from March 17 to 31.
Visitors can learn more about Canadian agriculture and about the food and fibres that make our way of life possible.

10:00 Rabbit Care – Horse and Cattle Barn

10:30 All All About Milk - Dairy Barn

11:15 Butter Making and Tasting - Demonstration Kitchen

12:00 Saddle Up! - Horse & Cattle Barn

1:30 Cow Care - Dairy Barn

2:30 Pig Quiz - Horse and Cattle Barn

3:15 Meet a Cow Family - Horse and Cattle Barn

3:45 Afternoon Milking - Dairy Barn

Special Invitation to Seniors
Every Tuesday from March to October, seniors (60+) are admitted free.

Also...

On the March 29-30 weekend, in the Demonstration Kitchen, visitors can help one of the Museum’s friendly interpreters bake bread at 10:00, 12:30 and 2:45.

Children’s Activity Centre located on the Exhibitions level (for children 6 years old and younger)

Not to be missed...

Easter: March 21 to 24, special programming

Birthday Parties
Children ages 3 -12 can enjoy a MOOving Experience with games, ice cream and a special tour of the barns. Children 5 to 12 year-old can get cooking with a Pizza Party and taste the rewards of all their hard work after visiting the animals. Round ‘em Up! Children ages 7 - 12 can make "mud pie" and take a closer look at horses and herding. For information and to register call 613 991-3053.

The Canada Agriculture Museum, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in October 2008, connects Canadians and the world to the historical and current importance in everyday life of agricultural science and technology through engaging interpretive activities and products centred on an accessible demonstration farm.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Museum Hours:
Animal Barns and Exhibitions daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Daily demonstrations from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Admission Prices (GST included. Prices subject to change without notice.)
Adults: $6.00
Seniors (60+): $5.00
Students: $5.00
Children (3-14): $3.00
Children under 3: Free
Families (2 adults and 3 children): $13.00
Families with additional children: $2.00 per extra child
Families with additional adults: $3.00 per extra adult
Members: Free
Special rates available for groups (20 or more).

Location:
Prince of Wales Drive, between the traffic circle and Baseline Road. Free parking. The Canada Agriculture Museum is located on Prince of Wales Drive on the Central Experimental Farm.

Telephone: 613 991-3044
Toll free: 866 442-4416
TTY: 613 991-9207
Fax: 613 993-7923
Reservations for guided tours & school programs: 613 991-3053

Web Sites: agriculture.technomuses.ca
foodforhealth.ca

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MEDIA CONTACT:

David Sutin
Manager, Communications, Marketing and Farm Operations
CANADA AGRICULTURE MUSEUM
Tel. 613 996-7812;
E-mail : dsutin@technomuses.ca
or
Lucie Robillard
Communications, Marketing and Visitor Statistic Clerk
Tel. 613 943-1164;
E-mail : lrobillard@technomuses.ca