Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce announced $185,000 in funding today for the Music in the Fields festival. The funding comes from the Reconnect Ontario program administered by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
“Music in the Fields is just one of many local events and festivals in Huron-Bruce that received funding through the Ontario Reconnect program. When we support tourism and culture in Huron and Bruce Counties, we are supporting local jobs and economic development,” said Thompson.
Rick McMurray, Music in the Fields (MITF) Co-Chair said “Lucknow’s MITF committee is grateful for the support from our provincial government. This funding will help us sustain our festival going forward and ensures we can continue to provide a great not-for-profit festival that generates funds which in turn, gets donated locally to a greater cause”.
Thompson added, “This country music festival is unique because it is coordinated by the Lucknow Kinsmen, and all proceeds from the event get paid forward to benefit local community initiatives. Thank you to all of the volunteers involved in staging this successful event.”
The Reconnect Ontario program was designed in 2021 to help festival and event organizers adapt to new public health measures with virtual, drive-in/drive-through and other safe offerings. Through this funding, the program supports festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario, reconnect people with local experiences and generate increased tourism spending.
“For nearly two years, the pandemic has disproportionately impacted tourism and culture – two major industries that bring our communities to life, and Ontarians together,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “By supporting festivals and events through the Reconnect Ontario program, our government is delivering a much-needed boost to the sector as we continue to recover from the effects of COVID-19. We are supporting organizations across the province that are finding new, innovative ways to safely reconnect Ontarians – helping them to engage with their communities and creating local jobs.”
The Music in the Fields festival ran from August 25th to August 27th.
“I am so glad to see people are once again participating in and supporting our local festivals and fairs. The pride that is generated by the conclusion of a successful event is undeniable and underscores the fact that our local organizations in Huron-Bruce help to foster a sense of community that is second to none,” concluded Thompson.
In total, Huron – Bruce received $763,588 to support local festivals and events. Below are the other funding recipients.
- $40,224 for Huron Waves Music Festival
- $101,275 for Huron Country Playhouse
- $89,540 for Blyth Centre for the Arts
- $38,795 for Lighthouse Blues Festival
- $23,315 for the Municipality of Huron East
- $12,638 for St. Joseph’s Kingsbridge Community
- $27,269 for Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
- $92,500 for Nuclear Innovation Institute
- $28,268 for Goderich Celtic Roots Festival
- $11,914 for Huron Arts & Heritage Network
- $95,645 for Cowbell Brewing Co.
- $17,205 for the Municipality of South Huron
To qualify for funding, eligible events must:
- Take place between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.
- Occur in the province of Ontario. Broadcast or virtual events must be produced in Ontario.
- Be open to the public at large without membership in a club or group.
- Follow all municipal and provincial guidelines (including health and safety).
