Ontario is supporting festivals and events in Northumberland-Quinte West to help boost tourism and local economic activity.

The province is supporting Frankford Island Blues Festival through the Celebrate Ontario 2010 program, with an investment of $19,000. With this support, Frankford Island Blues Festival plans to enhance their event by improving participation activities and increase both family and workshop programming. This concept will promote additional attendee interaction by offering more scheduled activities at additional staging areas. The enhancement concept is focused on providing festival visitors with an opportunity to learn from, play with, and personally meet performing artists. The festival plans to do so by directing any enhancement funding to Artist expenses for the additional programming and Technical expenses for equipment for the staging areas.

Celebrate Ontario supports the province’s Open Ontario Plan, recently introduced in the Speech from the Throne. The plan will build a new foundation for economic growth and jobs in Ontario. This funding will enable these festivals and events to further enhance their programs and activities to attract new audiences, increase visitor spending and create jobs.

QUOTES

“Celebrate Ontario funding is not only helping our festivals and events grow, it is also helping spur economic activity in Quinte West. When we invest in our festivals and events we are also helping boost business for our local hotels, restaurants, and other attractions.” 
— Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P., Northumberland-Quinte West

“Festivals and events are important drivers of tourism in Ontario. This support will help enhance their offerings and bring more jobs, visitors and spending to communities throughout our province.”
— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture

QUICK FACTS

§ Ontario is home to more than 3,000 festivals and community events each year. 
§ Festivals and events attract an estimated five million visitors and generate up to $400 million a year for Ontario’s economy.
§ Since 2007, Ontario has provided over $36 million through Celebrate Ontario to help support more than 500 festivals and events of all sizes. 

LEARN MORE

Find out more about Celebrate Ontario 2010.

Read Celebrate Ontario success stories. 

Discover travel experiences in Ontario.

Learn more about Open Ontario.

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Contact: Lou Rinaldi, M.P.P.,  
Northumberland-Quinte West
1-800-263-3980