Grey-Bruce festivals get provincial funding

Experience Ontario local funding totals almost $104,000

Four local festivals are getting provincial money to help the events draw more visitors and encourage them to stay longer.

Grey Highlands RAM Rodeo gets $17,885, May 24-25; the Chi-Cheemaun Festival in Northern Bruce Peninsula gets $10,927.08, June 20-22; Electric Eclectics in Meaford gets $20,000, Aug. 1-3; and Sauble Beach Party gets $55,000 Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

Experience Ontario local funding totals almost $104,000, a news release from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers said.

“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario; its people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province,  Tourism Minister Stan Cho is quoted saying. “They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together.”

Hayden Hellyer, organizer of the Sauble Beach Party, is quoted saying “Our events in Sauble Beach stimulate our local economy in the Sauble Beach area. As a first-time recipient of this funding, I look forward to growing our festival, so more people can enjoy our great community.”

In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province, which is about 100 more than the ministry supported last year, the release said.

Tourism plays a “critical role” in the Ontario economy, the release said. In 2023, visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.

By Scott Dunn, The Sun Times