The 2007 IIHF World Women's Hockey Championship announced Friday morning that it will be hosting two major special events in conjunction with the 20 game tournament.

Saturday, March 31st and Sunday April 1st, a World Championship Fan Fest will be taking place on the main floor of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.  Fan Fest whose title sponsor is the University of Winnipeg, will help kick off the World Championship bringing fans of all ages together to celebrate the tournament and the sport of hockey in Canada.  Fan Fest will include rare memorabilia, stars of the past and present, interactive games and information technology all surrounding the World Championship and the sport of hockey.  

All members of Team Canada will be making an appearance at Fan Fest for a pep rally between 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Sunday, April 1st.  This will be the only scheduled public opportunity to meet and greet the whole team during the World Championship.

Other anticipated attractions at Fan Fest include numerous exhibits being sent from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, interactive games such as the virtual goalie shut out, shooter tutor, body checker, radar cage, top shot electronic challenge, and a Kids Zone feature face painting, hair coloring & tattooing for kids.

There is no admission fee to Fan Fest upon presentation of any World  Championship Game Ticket.  Doors will be open from 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday March 31st, and 12:00pm to 6:00pm on Sunday April 1st. 

Also announced Friday morning was the Ice Breaker Block Party that will take place outside of the MTS Centre on Thursday, April 5th in conjunction with the evening’s Canada vs. Germany game.  The Ice Breaker Block Party whose title sponsor is James Richardson International, will take place in the outdoor cityplace parking lot on the corner of Hargrave and Graham, and will feature a corporate street hockey tournament during the day, and a massive licensed beverage gardens with live entertainment at night.  Numerous bands will be scheduled to play before and after the Canada-Germany game, including the Men in Kilts. 

Admission to the Ice Breaker Block party is also free upon presentation of a Canada vs. Germany game ticket.

“We are very excited to be hosting these two special events”, stated Host Organizing Committee Event Chair Polly Craik.   “They will help bring the community and hockey fans together to further celebrate the hosting of the World Championship.  Fan Fest is a perfect way to kick off the World Championship getting everybody excited about all things hockey, and the Ice Breaker Block Party will be the can’t miss party of the Spring!”

Sales for the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship are on record pace with 90,000 tickets sold to date.  Tickets available through Ticketmaster at (204) 780-3333, or by visiting www.ticketmaster.ca/iihf.

The hosting of the 2007 IIHF World Women’s Championship in Winnipeg and Selkirk, MB will mark the fifth time that this international event has been staged in Canada and the first time it will be held in Manitoba.