The Ontario government is investing over $130,000 in six local festivals and events, according to an announcement from Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller on May 24.
Celebrate Ontario will contribute funding to five local events (see details below) with the biggest cut of the funding at nearly $74,000 going to Huntsville Festival of the Arts. Celebrate Ontario supports local festivals and events of all sizes, aiming to help them reach new audiences, improve the programs for visitors, benefit local economies and create new jobs. Every dollar invested through Celebrate Ontario results in almost $21 of visitor spending, according to the announcement. The province is also supporting the Wasauksing First Nation with $20,000 to develop, promote and present the 2019 Potawatomi Gathering through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF).
“By investing in festivals and events, our government is tapping into the economic potential of the tourism industry,” said Michael Tibollo, minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport. “As we develop Ontario’s new tourism strategy, we will continue to invest in programs like Celebrate Ontario that help to maximize the growth and competitiveness of the great festivals and events that take place throughout the province.”
Miller said the government recognizes the important contributions that festivals and events make to the communities of Parry Sound-Muskoka and he is pleased that the government is supporting these festivals as they continue to draw visitors from across the province and provide a positive economic impact on our communities.
| Event Name | Organization | Time and Location | Funding |
| Chautauqua Village Arts and Festivals | Muskoka Chautauqua | Bracebridge,
Multiple Events |
$28,871 |
| Funkfest | Sawdust City Brewing Company | Gravenhurst,
June 29, 2019 |
$6,519 |
| Huntsville Festival of the Arts 2019/20 | Huntsville Festival of the Arts | Huntsville,
Multiple Events |
$73,924 |
| Muskoka Maple Festival | Huntsville/Lake Of Bays Chamber of Commerce | Huntsville
April 25, 2020 |
$1,700 |
| Flavour of Ontario | Huntsville/Lake Of Bays Chamber of Commerce | Huntsville | $3,930 |
Very nice! We are so quick to jump on decision making people about hard decisions on cuts and financial planning to try to right the huge debt we have! Then we seem to always be so non verbal when something good happens! So here I go, it’s a good thing for all here, thanks to the government of this province in supporting us! Thanks for recognizing us, the North! Just saying!