Ontario Investing $55,000 to Support the Screemers event in Thornhill

Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen Thornhill’s economy

THORNHILL – Ontario is investing $55,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support the Screemers event in Thornhill. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.

“Our community is full of talented artists and performers, and Screemers gives them the perfect stage to shine,” said Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill. “Families from all over Ontario come to enjoy the creativity and thrills that make this event a highlight of the season and a true testament to our province’s vibrant entertainment scene. I’m honoured that for the last three years, Screemers has chosen Thornhill as its home, bringing our community together for a fun, creative, and truly unforgettable experience.”

“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, it’s people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”

In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.

QUICK FACTS

• Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
• Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
• In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
• Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
• The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
• In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.