Ontario Investing $190,000 to Support Local Festivals and Events

Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, while boosting tourism and strengthening the economy in Leeds and Grenville!

BROCKVILLE – Ontario is investing $190,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support six local festivals and events, announced Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.

The local grants are 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 following events in Leeds and Grenville will be receiving funding:

• $55,000 for 1000 Islands Regatta, Brockville
• $55,000 for Brockville Tall Ships Festival
• $20,000 for South Grenville Bluegrass Festival, Spencerville
• $20,000 for Brockville Ribfest
• $20,000 for Le FestivILES, Gananoque
• $20,000 for Mermaid March Break 2026, Aquatarium Brockville

“Thank you to the volunteers who work so hard in communities across Leeds and Grenville to organize these special events, which add so much to our quality of life while also supporting our local businesses,” said MPP Clark. “I’m thrilled our government is providing financial support to help these events grow to add more programs and attractions. It will ensure even more visitors are making plans to come to our beautiful corner of Ontario and contribute to our tourism economy.”

“We’re thrilled to receive this funding. Thank you to MPP Steve Clark and the Ontario government for supporting us in this, our 10th anniversary year. The South Grenville Bluegrass Festival contributes as much as $185,000 annually to the Spencerville area economy. We’re looking forward to an outstanding lineup of entertainment at this year’s festival, which we’re anticipating will be our biggest yet,” said David Porter, Treasurer, South Grenville Bluegrass Festival Committee

“The committee of the upcoming 2025 1000 Islands Regatta are beyond ecstatic with the news that the Province of Ontario has approved our application for Experience Ontario funding. As in previous years, these funds have been very instrumental in our ability to put on a great event along the waterfront of Downtown Brockville. Our partnership with the province over the years has helped in growing the event to what it is today, and hopefully for many years to come. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude, and we’re looking forward to a very successful 2025 event,” said Kent Henderson, 1000 Islands Regatta Organizing Committee

“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario, its 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.

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.