Ontario Investing Over $500,000 to Support Festivals and Events in Huron-Bruce

July 18, 2025

Investments will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen Huron-Bruce’s economy

HURON-BRUCE – Ontario is investing $524,012 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support seven festivals and events in Huron-Bruce. 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.

The following local organizations receiving funding are:

  • $125,000 to the Blyth Centre for the Arts for the Blyth Festival Theatre
  • $125,000 to Drayton Entertainment for the Huron County Playhouse
  • $125,000 to the Lucknow and District Kinsmen Club for Lucknow’s Music in the Fields
  • $20,000 for the Kincardine Lighthouse Blues Festival
  • $20,000 to the Town of Goderich for the Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival
  • $54,012 for the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
  • $55,000 for the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival

“Our provincial government continues to invest in the creativity and community spirit of Huron-Bruce through the 2025 Experience Ontario program,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “These seven organizations are doing incredible work to bring people of all ages together and celebrate what makes our region unique. This funding will help elevate their events and create memorable experiences that draw people in and showcase the heart and charm of our local communities.”

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

“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.”

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.