Hastings Highlands boosts community events with federal grant

Hastings Highlands will boost seasonal events and markets, via $75,000 in funding announced through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

Hastings Highlands Treasurer Tanya Dickinson said its based on a 50-50 cost share. The agency and the municipality will contribute $75,000 each.

Funds will enhance events the municipality is already known for, like the Brighten the Night Christmas Parade and the Easter Egg-stravaganza, as well as introduce new events.

“We have a harvest festival, kind of a partnership with the Maynooth morning market, where we’ll have an homage to the loggers’ games that used to happen up there, where there’ll be a lumberjack demonstration. That’s happening Labour Day weekend. And then I think we’re planning a makers’ market, or makers’ fair in the fall,” she said.

Dickinson said the municipality applied for the grant in the winter of 2024, and the recipients were announced last August.

Since then, the municipality has been in the process of hiring an events co-ordinator and planning and hosting events.

Dickinson says the grant falls under council’s strategic plan, which includes building community by bringing people together and attracting tourism.

“I think it’s definitely an artistic community, and I think any time we can get some foot traffic in the area, it’s good for the local businesses and people to see how much of a talented community we are.”

By Julia DeJong, MyBancroftNow