2014 Orazietti crop

Supplied by Sault MPP David Orazietti… Sault Ste. Marie – The provincial government is now accepting applications for Celebrate Ontario 2016, a program designed to support festivals and events in communities like Sault Ste. Marie, announced David Orazietti, MPP.

“Tourism is an important part of Sault Ste. Marie’s economy and our government is committed to helping local festivals and events grow and showcase the great experiences our community has to offer,” said Orazietti. “By supporting events like the Algoma Fall Festival and Passport to Unity Multicultural Festival, we are helping to draw tourists into our community, create jobs and support our local economy.”

Celebrate Ontario grants help create jobs and local economic development across the province, supporting new and improved experiences that expand local tourism opportunities and boost visitor spending. In 2015, the province funded a record number of festivals and events across the province that celebrated our provinces diversity, heritage and culture.

Helping festivals and events succeed supports the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, creating a dynamic, innovative environment where business thrives, and building a secure retirement savings plan.

Through the province of Ontario, Celebrate Ontario funding has supported the following events and festivals in Sault Ste. Marie:

” $57,587 for the Algoma Fall Festival in 2014 ” $31,875 for the Passport to Unity Multicultural Festival in 2014 ” $75,000 for the Algoma Arts Festival in 2013 ” $75,000 for the 1812 Bicentennial HistoryFest in 2013 ” $100,000 for the 2013 TELUS Cup National Midget Hockey Championship ” $250,000 for the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association (CARHA) 2012 World Cup Tournament ” $27,000 for the Bon Soo Winter Carnival in 2012 ” $50,000 for the Algoma Fall Festival in 2012 ” $60,000 for the 200th Anniversary Commemoration of the War of 1812 ” $6,975 for the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre’s Bushplane Days in 2009 ” $11,274 for the Echoes of the World International Drum Festival in 2009 ” $37,448 for RotaryFest in 2009 ” $78,940 for RotaryFest in 2007

QUICK FACTS ” The deadline to apply for Celebrate Ontario 2016 is November 4, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. ” Every year, festivals and events support tens of thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in revenue. ” From 2009 to 2013, Celebrate Ontario recipients reported a 25 per cent increase in visitors, or 6.2 million people, and an increase of $1 billion in visitor spending. ” Since 2007, Celebrate Ontario has helped more than 1,700 festivals and events across the province.   LEARN MORE ” Celebrate Ontario grant applications ” Celebrate Ontario 2015 recipients ” Explore more ways to discover Ontario