Ontario Investing in Nine Festivals and Events around Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

Funding will help attract visitors and strengthen local economy

Brockville – Ontario is investing nearly $260,000 through the 2026 Experience Ontario program to support nine festivals and events around Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. This is part of a more than $20 million government investment to help municipalities and event organizers deliver high-quality programming and experiences for people of all ages.

“From Ontario’s charming small towns to its dazzling urban centres, festivals and events bring people together, create lasting memories and showcase the best of our communities,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “As we work to protect Ontario, these homegrown experiences play a vital role in celebrating our shared identity, bolstering main street businesses and ensuring our province remains a place people are inspired to explore — and proud to call home.”

Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes announced today that the following local events are receiving funding support:

• $20,000 for the 5 th Annual Le FestivÎLES, Gananoque
• $20,000 for Kemptville Buskerfest
• $20,000 for Brockville Ribfest
• $42,997 for the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, Prescott
• $20,000 for the Lombardy Kioti Pro Rodeo
• $20,000 for the South Grenville Bluegrass Festival, Spencerville
• $50,000 for the 1000 Islands Regatta
• $55,000 for the Aquatarium’s Mermaids March Break 2027

“What a wonderful and grateful surprise for our Lombardy Agricultural Society. As we continue to make plans for the Black Creek Pro Rodeo on September 25th and 26th, this $20,000 grant will certainly help in programming and delivery for approximately 300 contestants who participate from Ontario, other provinces, and the United States. The professional sanctioning of the rodeo creates a distinctive rural Ontario experience and welcomes visitors young and old. This event is also supported by many businesses in our surrounding community. Our grant will support our need to expand our accessibility-focused infrastructure, introduce a mechanical bull, and introduce large video display screens to allow visitors to view rodeo competitions from different areas of the grounds including vendor areas & accessible viewing zones.” said Judy Drummond, Lombardy Agricultural Society

“The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is incredibly grateful for the support of the Experience Ontario program. This investment helps us continue to create high-quality, professional theatre while attracting visitors to Prescott and the surrounding region. Support like this strengthens not only our Festival, but the local tourism economy, businesses, and community partners who benefit from the audiences we bring to the area each summer.” said Ingrid Bjornson, General Manager, St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival

This year, in addition to the main Experience Ontario stream, the program includes a brand-new Capacity Building stream, with funding support specifically designed for new, first-time festivals and events in our province, including:

• $10,000 for A Rideau Canal Nautical Heritage Festival

“Festivals and events help bring our communities to life while supporting local economies across the province,” said MPP Clark. “I’m pleased our government is investing in organizers who are creating unique experiences, connecting people, and generating jobs and opportunity.”

In total, Experience Ontario 2026 is supporting nearly 400 festivals and events of all sizes across the province, strengthening tourism and supporting local economies while celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Ontario unique.

“We are thrilled and grateful to receive this support from the province. Mermaids: Enchanting Encounters has become a defining event for Brockville and for Eastern Ontario’s shoulder season, and this investment helps us keep growing something truly special. It brings thousands of visitors to our community at a time of year when that energy matters most, and we are grateful to have a partner in government that recognizes its value.” said Thomas Harder, Executive Director, The Aquatarium

“We are profoundly grateful for the support of MPP Clark and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming’s Experience Ontario program for our annual celebration of Franco-Ontarian and Franco-Canadian culture, Le FestivÎLES. This funding will help us enhance and augment the variety of cultural experiences we offer and build a platform for residents, visitors and performers alike to interact and share their love and appreciation of Franco-Ontarian culture. We’re looking forward to having you join us this year for the 5th iteration of Le FestivÎLES! Bienvenue a Gananoque!” said John Beddows, Mayor of Gananoque

“Ours is a bluegrass music festival. Last year our Experience Ontario Provincial funding allowed us to hire Rhonda Vincent (known as ‘The Queen of Bluegrass’) and her band ‘The Rage,’ from Branson, Missouri. Not only did her name on the program bring in almost 1,200 people from all over Ontario and beyond (up 64 per cent from prior years) to boost the economy of our little community for almost a week, it also gave 10 fine Canadian bands an opportunity to play for an audience five or six times the size of their usual audiences. We expect this year’s grant will have a very similar impact.” said Dave Porter, Festival Treasurer