THE ST. LAWRENCE PARKS COMMISSION HAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON.

... THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY.

AND ONTARIO'S FIRST AND ONLY "UNESCO" WORLD HERITAGE SITE COVERING THE RIDEAU CANAL AND KINGSTON FORTIFICATIONS.

THE PLAN IS TO BUILD ON THAT MOMENTUM.

 -PAT MACDONALD, GENERAL MANAGER, PARKS COMMISSION:

"WE OPEN TOMORROW, AND WE'RE GETTING KICKED OFF THIS WEEKEND TO A BIG START. A BIG BANG YOU MIGHT SAY AT FORT HENRY.

AND HERE AT THE UPPER CANADA VILLAGE, WE'RE ALSO STARTING TOMORROW WITH A CELEBRATION FOR QUEEN VICTORIA'S BIRTHDAY.')

TOURISM REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS EASTERN ONTARIO GATHERED NEAR UPPER CANADA VILLAGE, TO GIVE A SNEAK PEAK AT WHAT'S GOING ON AT TWO OF THE STAR ATTRACTIONS -- THE KINGSTON FORT AND THE MORRISBURG VILLAGE.

-MACDONALD:

"FORT HENRY HAS A LOT OF NEW ACTIVITIES THIS SUMMER, WITH FORT FRIGHT, WHICH IS A SPOOKY SPECTACULAR HAPPENING IN THE FALL. WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW ACTIVITIES IN THE SORT OF MORRISBURG, BROCKVILLE CORRIDOR.

STARTING OUT WITH A BRAND NEW PAVILION CALLED THE ONTARIO POWER GENERATION COMMUNITY PAVILION.

WE HAVE THIS HUGE MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL. A BIG THREE DAY EVENT HAPPENING ON JUNE 13, 14 AND 15.

THAT'S ACTUALLY AT HERITAGE PARK, JUST OUTSIDE THE GATES OF UPPER CANADA VILLAGE. ")

MACDONALD SAYS THE PARKS COMMISSION CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT FROM RISING GAS PRICES -- AS VISITORS OPT FOR GREENER VACATIONS, CLOSER TO HOME.

-MACDONALD:

'WE HAVE WHAT PEOPLE WANT. WE HAVE WIDE OPEN SPACES, WE HAVE EXTENSIVE RIVER FRONT. THE CONNECTION WITH THE WATER. PLUS A LOT OD HERITAGE ACTIVITIES THAT FAMILIES CAN DISCOVER TOGETHER.")

LAST YEAR SAW A 3-PERCENT INCREASE IN VISITORS TO PARKS COMMISSION ATTRACTIONS.

AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS INVESTED A FEW MILLION DOLLARS TO BOOST THIS SUMMER'S MARKETING STRATEGY.

 -JIM BROWBELL, MPP STORMOUNT AND PARLIAMENTARY ASSISTANT TO THE MINISTER OF TOURISM :

"THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO GIVE VISITORS A GREATER MENU TO LOOK OVER AND GREATER OPPORTUNITIES TO STAY IN THE REGION FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.')

SO WHETHER IT'S EXPLORING THE BRITISH FORTIFICATIONS, OR THE LAID BACK PIONEER LIFESTYLE OF THE 1800'S.... THE PARKS COMMISSION IS REACHING OUT TO VISITORS TO SOAK UP THE REGION'S RICH HISTORY.

ASHLEY MOLNAR, CKWS NEWSWATCH, MORRISBURG.