HURON COUNTY — The Ontario government is continuing to support vibrant communities across Huron County through investments that strengthen local arts and culture, enhance opportunities for seniors, and celebrate Ontario’s food producers and retailers.
“From world-class arts and cultural festivals, to programs that help seniors stay active and connected, to local retailers who proudly support Ontario food producers, these organizations make an incredible contribution to our communities,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “I am pleased to see continued provincial support being delivered to these important initiatives that enrich the lives of residents, attract visitors, and help make Huron County such a great place to live, work and visit.”
2026 Experience Ontario Program
Through the 2026 Experience Ontario Program, the Blyth Centre for the Arts will receive $125,000 in support of the Blyth Festival – A Season of World Premieres.
The Goderich Celtic Folk Society will receive $55,000 through the 2026 Experience Ontario Program for the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. Leading up to each year’s event, the festival also operates the Celtic and Junior Celtic Colleges, which rank among the world’s premier Celtic arts education programs.
Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Grant
The Blyth Festival Theatre will receive $155,309 through the Ontario Arts Council Theatre Organizations: Operating Grant.
The Goderich Celtic Folk Society will receive $18,015 through the Ontario Arts Council Music Organizations: Operating Grant
These investments will help support the continued growth of Huron County’s vibrant arts and culture sector while attracting audiences from across Ontario and beyond.
Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) Program
Through the Seniors Active Living Centre Program, the Ontario government is investing in organizations that provide opportunities for older adults to stay active, engaged and connected within their communities. Funding recipients include:
- One Care Home and Community Support Services – $57,640
- MacKay Centre for Seniors (Goderich) – $57,112
- MacKay Centre for Seniors (Dungannon) – $57,640
These organizations provide valuable opportunities for seniors to participate in social, recreational, educational and wellness activities.
Recognizing Local Food Excellence
The Clinton Foodland has been recognized with a 2025 Foodland Ontario Retailer Award – Silver Award of Merit.
The award recognizes retailers that demonstrate outstanding efforts in promoting Ontario-grown fruits and vegetables and supporting Ontario foods.
QUICK FACTS
- The Ontario government is investing more than $20 million in 396 festivals and events across the province this year. Delivered through Experience Ontario 2026, this investment is the largest in three years and will support the greatest number of festivals and events strengthening tourism and supporting local economies while celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Ontario unique.
- The Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations, supporting a range of arts activities and disciplines. In 2024-25, OAC invested $52.2 million in 204 communities across 123 Ontario ridings, providing 1,969 grants to individual artists and 1,030 grants to organizations.
- Ontario now invests up to $55,000 for each Seniors Active Living Centre. That’s up from $50,000 last year and $42,700 the year before for operations and maintenance. There are now 416 Seniors Active Living Centre’s in Ontario.