Huron Bruce MPP announces funding for local events

The Member of Provincial Parliament for Huron-Bruce was at Music In The Fields on Friday to announce new funds for the festival, as well as some other events in her riding.

Lisa Thompson announced $185,000 for Lucknow’s big music stop, saying the festival put on by the Lucknow Kinsmen is one of many local events and festivals receiving funding through the Ontario Reconnect Program.

A total of just over $763,000 was announced for several events across Huron-Bruce, including over $100,000 for the Huron County Playhouse, as well as $27,000 for Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin.

A release from the MPP noted that the program was designed to help festival and event organizers to adapt to new public health measures with virtual and other types of safe offerings.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Neil Lumsden also added that the “COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted tourism and culture, two major industries that bring our communities to life. 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.”

List of events and festivals receiving funding:
$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