“FRANCO FESTIVAL” CELEBRATES $40,000 FUNDING

Gravelle announces grant for NWO’s largest Francophone festival

This is the 2nd time the festival is in Thunder Bay, good news for Northshore Franco-Ontariens!

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“I’m thrilled to see this support from our government for this culturally-significant event.  The Festival will bring francophones together from all across Northwestern Ontario, and will enrich our community both culturally and economically.  I’m proud that we’re contributing to the success of this year’s event with this funding announcement today,” said Gravelle.  

“I am very excited about this announcement. The Franco-Festival is a wonderful way to celebrate Northwestern Ontario’s rich and diverse francophone heritage. This funding will allow us to expand the event and to showcase the best we have to offer. Make sure to bring your whole family for a taste of French-Canadian culture,” said Claudette Gleeson, Festival Chair.

This is the second Franco-Festival  to be held in Thunder Bay .  This year the doors will open at 3:30 p.m. with family activities, a sports tournament, an art exhibit from regional francophone artists and French-Canadian food on offer.  Concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. with “Swing”, “Les Trois Accords” and  “Tam Tam Mama”, a percussion group of African  origin.

Celebrate Ontario 2010 is an $11 million program to increase the economic potential of new and existing tourism festivals and events.  This year’s program was open to festivals and events taking place in Ontario between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. 

Visit www.ffo.ca the festival's official website.

LEARN MORE

Visit the Franco-Festival website at:  www.centrefranco.ca 

Visit the Celebrate Ontario website  

Links in this document provided courtesy of www.OntarioNewsNorth.com

Ontario  government is providing a major boost to Northwestern Ontario’s largest Francophone Festival.  MPP Michael Gravelle , Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced the $40,000 “Celebrate Ontario ” grant to support “Franco Festival”, which will take place on Saturday May 29, 2010 at the Thunder Bay Sports Dome .