Celebrate Ontario 2011 Kicks Off
Ontario Government Strengthening Support for Local Festivals and Events
QUEEN’S PARK – Mike Brown, MPP, Algoma-Manitoulin, is pleased to announce that Ontario is increasing support for festivals and events that create jobs, attract tourists, stimulate local economies and provide entertaining activities for Ontario families across the province.
“Festivals and events draw tourists to our communities, create jobs and stimulate local economics. I am pleased that our government is increasing our investment in festivals and events to help enhance programs, attract new audiences, and create more jobs in our communities,” said Brown.
This year, the province is investing $20 million through Celebrate Ontario to help festivals and events of all sizes reach new audiences and invigorate local economies. Celebrate Ontario’s new “Blockbuster” category will provide communities with support to bid for and host major one-time events and festivals attracting out-of-province visitors.
New and returning festivals and events across the province are invited to apply to Celebrate Ontario 2011.
Celebrate Ontario supports the government’s Open Ontario Plan to strengthen our economy and create new opportunities for jobs and growth.
Gary Masters, Executive Director, Festivals and Events Ontario reminds Ontarians of the economic impact of festivals and events in our communities “Festivals and events have a huge economic impact on our communities. With Ontario’s commitment to enhancing the quality of festivals and events in this province, we are in turn helping to fill hotels, bed & breakfasts, restaurants, and other local attractions – the ripple effects are many.” said Masters.
QUICK FACTS
- The Celebrate Ontario 2011 application deadline is November 23, 2010.
- Since 2007, Celebrate Ontario has supported more than 500 festivals and events of all sizes across the province.
- Celebrate Ontario 2009 recipients reported an increase of close to 700,000 visitors and $115 million in visitor spending over 2008 as a result of the program’s support.
MORE INFO
Celebrate Ontario 2011
Celebrate Ontario is an annual program that supports new and existing Ontario festivals and events in strengthening their programs and activities.
This year the program has been enhanced to increase the size and impact of festivals and events across Ontario.
Celebrate Ontario 2011 features three new festival and event categories:
- Celebrate Ontario Main Stage will support community festivals and events with funding up to $40,000 and emerging festivals and events with funding up to $75,000.
- Celebrate Ontario Signature will support major recurring festivals and events with funding up to $400,000.
- Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster will support bidding and event hosting costs for major one-time festivals and events. Funding for bids will be determined based on each application. Funding for event hosting will be available up to a maximum of 20% of the operating budget required to host the event.
The Celebrate Ontario 2011 Main Stage and Signature application deadline is November 23, 2010 by 5:00 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted.
Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Event Hosting and Blockbuster Bid applications will be accepted twice a year with deadlines on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, and Tuesday, June 7, 2011. Applicants can apply for support on either application deadline. Funds will be awarded in either the fiscal year that the bid is due or when the event will be hosted.
Full application details can be found at: www.ontario.ca/celebrateontario.
Applications and community reference forms may be submitted in person, by mail/courier, or by email to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
CELEBRATE ONTARIO 2010
Celebrate Ontario 2010 supported 171 festivals and events across the province, including successes like:
- Ottawa’s TD International Jazz Fest, which increased attendance by 11.5 per cent, attracting over 292,000 Canadian and international visitors in four days.
- Sarnia’s Rogers Bayfest, which hosted a major concert, increased overall attendance by 22 per cent, and extended the festival by an extra day.
- Quinte’s Kiwanis Walleye World Fishing Derby, which saw a significant increase in first-time visitors from across Canada and the United States.
