Halifax, Nova Scotia - Announced earlier today on a media conference call, Halifax Metro Centre is helping to celebrate the holiday season by partnering with IMG to bring the annual "Holiday Festival on Ice" presented by Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, to the facility on Friday, December 5, 2008.

The annual skating extravaganza has been staged for the last nine years in cities over Canada.  However, this year's marks the event's first time in Atlantic Canada.

"We're very excited about bringing this fantastic family oriented skating show to Halifax", said Scott Ferguson, Executive Vice President, Trade Centre Limited (the provincial crown corporation that manages the day-to-day operations of the Halifax Metro Centre).  "The show features a fantastic roster of talent and is geared towards families looking for a quality event to help kick start the holiday season!"

The show will feature:
Kurt Browning    - 4 time World Champion, 4 time Canadian Champion, 3 time World Professional Champion

Jeff Buttle     - 3 time Canadian Champion, 2006 Olympic Bronze Medalist, 2008 World Champion

Jamie Salé & David Pelletier    - 2002 Olympic Gold Medalists, 3 time Canadian Champions, 2001 World Champions

Sasha Cohen    - 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist, 2006 US National Champion

With additional performances by:  Marie-France Dubreuil & Patrice Lauzon, Jennifer Robinson, Steven Cousins and Edmunston, New Brunswick's very own, Shawn Sawyer.

The skaters will be joined by special musical guests, two time ECMA award winners, The Cottars.  This hot young Celtic band from Cape Breton have been making waves wherever they go, including a "sold out" tour of the Maritimes, a performance at Carnegie Hall, and two tours of Japan!

"Halifax is a great skating town and we love bringing our shows here", says Jodi Clare, Director, Events & Client Services, IMG.  "The fans in Halifax are very knowledgeable about skating and appreciate the talent & creativity of the skaters."

The theme of this year's show is "A Celtic Christmas" and is a 90 minute production that features two full cast numbers as well as two individual performances by each skater. 

In the spirit of the holiday, Halifax Metro Centre has partnered with Feed Nova Scotia and will be collecting food and cash donations at the door to help support the important work of this organization in our community.  Additionally, Halifax Metro Centre will be donating a portion of the evening's ticket sales to Feed Nova Scotia.

"The Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation believes in supporting initiatives that benefit Nova Scotians", said Marie Mullally, President & CEO, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation.  "That's why we are pleased to be a part of "Holiday Festival on Ice" and helping to give back to our community by supporting such an important cause, Feed Nova Scotia."

Additional event sponsors include Delta Hotels, The Chronicle Herald and C100 FM.

"Holiday Festival on Ice" presented by Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation tickets will go on sale Friday, October 31, 2008 at 9:00 am.  Tickets are available from the Ticket Atlantic Box Office located at Halifax Metro Centre, participating Atlantic Superstore outlets, charge by phone (902) 451-1221 or on-line at www.TicketAtlantic.com.

- 30 -

For more information, please contact:  

Angela Dennison
Event Development Manager, Events Halifax
Ph:  902-421-1302 ext 244
Email:  ADennison@TradeCentreLimited.com