Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen economy

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Ontario is investing over $346,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support 11 festivals and events in the Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston riding. 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 announcement was made by John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston, with the following local events receiving funding:

• $20,000 for the Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow in Smiths Falls
• $18,886 for the Almonte Celtfest
• $20,000 for the Stewart Park Festival in Perth
• $55,000 for the Ontario Festival of Small Halls 2025
• $233,000 in total for 7 festivals in Kingston – Kingston Canadian Film Festival, Canada Day 2025, Kingston Buskers Rendezvous, Kingstonlicious, PXR Experience 2025, Festival of Live Digital Art and The Kick and Push Festival

“I am very happy to see some of our most cherished festivals in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston receive more support from our government,” said John Jordan, MPP for Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.” These grants encourage travel within our communities, boost local economies and showcase what our riding has to offer.”

“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.”

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

“When our MPP John Jordan called me to share the news we had received the Experience Ontario grant, I was elated for our Stewart Park Festival team, “said Cathy McNally, Director of Community Services for the Town of Perth. “This group of volunteers works tirelessly to bring three days of music to the park here in Perth each summer. This provincial funding support goes such a long way to help to continue a beloved three-decade-long tradition.”

Kristina Skeries and Makayla Moore, Almonte Celtfest Co-Chairs said,” Almonte Celtfest is thrilled to be among those selected to receive the Experience Ontario grant for the 2025 summer event season. As we celebrate the 29th edition of our entry-by-donation family-friendly festival, support from the provincial government through the Experience Ontario grant helps us to keep the festival accessible to all; be it tourists, visitors, or local festival goers. As a long-standing cultural heritage event that has deep roots in the community and the Ottawa Valley, Almonte Celtfest is proud to be part of the cultural and artistic draw that brings folks to Almonte from all over, contributing to the local and larger economies, and giving performing artists of all levels of experience an avenue through which to share their art with a growing audience. We know that this is especially important today as our communities and nation experience challenges and changes; and it is inspiring to see the Ontario government showing increased support for these local initiatives and giving a much-needed boost to live music events, performing artists, and Ontario tourism. We relish the opportunity to showcase the incredible talent that exists in our own backyard, and to show visitors how much charm and culture can be discovered within a daytrip’s distance.”

“The Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow is a powerful expression of culture, tradition, and community. We are deeply grateful to Experience Ontario for their support in helping this important event grow and thrive in Smiths Falls. The Town is proud to stand alongside our partners in creating space for cultural celebration, learning, and reconciliation,” said Shawn Pankow, Mayor of the Town of Smiths Falls.

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

MPP John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston
www.johnjordanmpp.ca
john.jordan@pc.ola.org
613-284-1630
Facebook: John Jordan
X: @johnjordan_lfk
Instagram: @johnjordan_pc