Media Release, Paul Vickers, MPP
Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen local economies
April 28, 2025 – OWEN SOUND – Ontario is investing $103,812 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support four festivals and events in Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound. 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 Paul Vickers, MPP for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, with the following local events receiving funding:
• Grey Highlands RAM Rodeo (Municipality. of Grey Highlands) May 24th to May 25th, 2025 – $17,885.00
• Chi-Cheemaun Festival (Municipality. of Northern Bruce Peninsula) June 20th to June 22nd, 2025 – $10,927.08
• Electric Eclectics Festival (Electric Eclectics) August 1st to August 3rd, 2025 – $20,000.00
• Sauble Beach Party (2582852 Ontario Inc.) August 29th to September 1st, 2025 – $55,000.00
“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.”
“Festivals are an exciting summer experience for so many Ontarians,” said Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. “I welcome this investment in four unique festivals across our constituency, and look forward to seeing our community come together this summer.”
“Our events in Sauble Beach stimulate our local economy in the Sauble Beach area,” said Hayden Hellyer, organizer of the Sauble Beach Party, which is receiving $55,000 in funding for their fifth anniversary programme. “As a first-time recipient of this funding, I look forward to growing our festival, so more people can enjoy our great community.”
In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.
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
In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.
