Provincial funding supports local festivals
By Cecilia Nasmith
Of the $50-million Ontario is investing in 439 festivals and events across the province through the Reconnect Festival and Event Program and the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Program, $143,580 is coming to four Northumberland festivals.
Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini has announced support through the Reconnect Festival and Event Program for four local events:
Westben Arts Festival Theatre's Dare To Share: Arts in Wide Open Spaces ($70,000)
Port Hope's Candlelight Festival ($13,500)
Northumberland Hispanic Cultural Club's Diversity Festival ($41,580)
Cultivate's Hibernate Festival ($18,500)
This one-time funding increase is aimed at ensuring the long-term success of the festival-and-event sector, the announcement said, while helping municipalities and organizations deliver innovative and safe experiences that allow people to reconnect safely with their communities.
“For more than a year, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted tourism and culture – two major industries that bring people together and our communities to life,” Piccini said.
“This important investment of over $143,500 through the Reconnect Festival and Event program to events in Northumberland gives us the opportunity to experience what is offered right here in our own back yard.”
Extending her thanks to the province for this support, Westben co-founder Donna Bennett described Dare To Share: Arts in Wide Open Spaces as “a series of digital and live musical experiences created within a sense of place, inspired by local art, agriculture, food and nature.
“In addition to building audiences and employing artists, presenters and production personnel, the event fosters positive economic impact for and awareness of the local and regional community while promoting Ontario.”
“After more than a year and a half into this global pandemic, we are pleased to encourage our residents to reconnect with one another through shared experiences in our community this holiday season,” Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson added.
“This funding will support our modified Candlelight Festival, providing festive-themed activations throughout the community, while aligning with the government's mandate to maintain COVID-19 protocols. I look forward to enjoying the sights and sounds of the season, and to reconnecting with our residents in our local shops, restaurants and parks throughout Port Hope.”
“Aligned with our mandate, this funding will enable us to partner with Northumberland County in the production of the Northumberland Diversity Festival 2021, which is set to help local entertainers while showcasing and educating about our diversity in the county,” Northumberland Hispanic Cultural Club President Mario Pareja noted,
Cultivate co-founder Jeff Bray noted that the pandemic meant two years without a single performance.
“Funding from Reconnect Ontario has opened doors for us,” Bray stated.
“It has given us an opportunity to create a new product, forge local partnerships and to get back to our mission of engaging the community in the celebration and discovery of arts and culture.
“The Hibernate Festival series will take place over four months at the Capitol Theatre, bringing all of our favourite elements of our award-winning festival inside for the winter. We've been dreaming about this for years, and it's possible today because of funding from Reconnect Ontario.”
