The Ontario government has announced it is investing a total of almost $20 million in 350 festivals across the province this year.
The funding is coming through the Experience Ontario 2025 funding stream aimed at boosting tourism in the province.
“Ontario’s festivals and events showcase the best of our province, while instilling pride, creating jobs and boosting local economies,” said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho. “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 our local communities.”
The investment includes support for two Thunder Bay festivals.
Bayfest is receiving $125,000 for the music festival taking place at Fort William Historical Park from July 18 to 20.
The Wake the Giant Music Festival, an event that welcomes Indigenous students who leave their homes in remote northern communities to attend high school in Thunder Bay, is also receiving $55,000.
“This announcement today is really going to help elevate the presence of these events in our community and, you know, attract more Ontarians and more visitors overall who are looking for music events,” said the Manager of Tourism Thunder Bay, Paul Pepe. “Certainly music tourism is a big thing and people do travel for it, and it’s great to see support for these events to help them grow in a community like ours and help them take root in some cases for the new events and help them expand to the next level for established events.”
The event is taking place in Marina Park on September 6.
