Government investment will help promote creative
and safe programs during COVID-19

Ontario is investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support municipalities and event organizers during COVID-19. This funding will be used to maintain public safety requirements and allow people to reconnect with their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences. Organizers will be developing creative programs such as virtual Remembrance Day events, reverse holiday parades with drive-by static floats, drive-in music concerts and movies, holiday tree lightings and New Year’s Eve displays that light-up iconic buildings.

Details were provided today by Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries at Ontario Place.

“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented and devastating impact on our local festivals and events,” said Minister MacLeod. “This important investment through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program will continue to support Ontarians as they reconnect and experience all their local communities have to offer.”

Funding may be used for eligible expenses such as programming and production, promotion, mobile applications and website development, and implementation of health and safety measures.

“I encourage the many hard working volunteers, local organizations and groups to apply for this funding,” said Jim McDonell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “I look forward to attending some of these great events which helps to make our region so special.”

The application period for the Reconnect Festival and Event Program runs from October 8 to December 1, 2020.