Nova Scotia baseball fans will ring in the new year with a visit from the Boston Red Sox and their 2007 World Series Trophy.

The trophy is on tour in New England and will arrive at Province House in Halifax on Monday, Jan. 7.

"We're pleased to give our friends from Boston a warm welcome here in Nova Scotia and congratulate them on winning the World Series this year," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "This visit is an opportunity to build on our strong ties with Boston, which is one of our target tourism and business markets with direct air access to Nova Scotia."

Nova Scotia has deep historical ties with Massachusetts. The province and state have shared genealogy, strong business partnerships, and a unique relationship that grew through Boston's support after the Halifax Explosion in 1917.

"Bringing the trophy to Halifax underscores the deep bond that exists between the Nova Scotia and Boston," said Red Sox Vice- President Chuck Steedman. "We're pleased to build on this relationship and recognize the longtime devotion shown by thousands of Nova Scotian baseball fans to the Boston franchise."

Before Major League Baseball expanded to Canada in 1969, the Red Sox were truly Nova Scotia's home team. The province has a dedicated group of fans called the Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood.

"We are thrilled with today's announcement," said brotherhood co-founder, Jim Prime. "Since the team's spectacular win in October, we've been encouraging this visit with the trophy and we're very excited to welcome it to Nova Scotia in January."

The 2007 World Series Trophy and the Red Sox official mascot, Wally the Green Monster, will be available for public viewing on Tuesday, January 8 at:
-- Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, 1800 Argyle St., Suite 446 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
-- MicMac Mall, 21 MicMac Blvd., 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The Red Sox will also bring the trophy to the IWK-Grace Health Centre and St. Patrick's-Alexandra Elementary School before leaving Halifax.

-30-

Media Contacts:
Vicki Fraser
Tourism, Culture and Heritage
902-424-7608
E-mail: fraserv@gov.ns.ca

John Blake
Boston Red Sox
617-226-6675
E-mail: johnblake@redsox.com

Michael Kydd
Bluenose BoSox Brotherhood
902-401-0001
E-mail: mkydd@nsgc.ca