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Blue Mountain events get nearly $1M boost from province

There were four events, two hosted by the resort and two by the village association, that received funding from the province's Reconnect Festival and Event Program grants
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Lisa McLeod, minister of heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries, at Blue Mountain Resort.

Four events at Blue Mountain are receiving a nearly $1 million piece of a $43 million pie served by the provincial government to boost tourism in a post-pandemic world. 

Last week Blue Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Village Foundation received word their applications to the province’s Reconnect grant program were successful to the tune of $494,000 for two resort events and $437,275 for two village association events. 

The funding includes the following: 

  • $244,500 for the Explore Blue Summer Event Series (Blue Mountain Resort), 
  • $250,000 for Fire, Ice, and Lights (Blue Mountain Village Association), 
  • $249,500 for Return to Winter Celebration (Blue Mountain Resort), and 
  • $187,275 for Village Green Season Series (Blue Mountain Village Association).  

The village association will be able to use some of the funding for more programming on a new “floating” stage built in the Mill Pond and equipped for live music performances. 

“Although live music was devastated during COVID, we were able to take the time, reassess, and redesign how we deliver extraordinary visitor experiences,” said Patty Kendall, director of marketing and events for Blue Mountain Village Association, in an emailed statement. “The new floating stage is one of the design innovations we’re most proud of and will continue to provide unique musical experiences for years to come.” 

The added funding from the province will help the village association extend the programming on the floating stage and hire more musicians and event staff in support of the programs. 

In the winter, the village association will host the Fire, Ice, and Lights festival, though details haven’t been finalized. Kendall said it will include enhanced light experiences, entertainment, and special events.  

Blue Mountain Resort will be using the funding to add to its outdoor activity lineup. 

“This funding will help collaboratively drive tourism to our region while enhancing our outdoor activities and providing employment opportunities during what would normally be off-peak times for our industry,” said Tara Lovell, public relations manager for Blue Mountain Resort in an emailed statement. 

The Reconnect Festival and Event Program funding (formerly known as Celebrate Ontario) comes from the province’s ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries and offers non-capital funding for events in Ontario. 

The events can be in-person or virtual and must provide job opportunities in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sector. 

This year, the province provided $43 million to support 439 festivals and events in Ontario, which is the highest number in the program’s 14-year history. 

Chris Bloore, president and CEO of Tourism Indistruct Association of Ontario said the funding from this program is key to the tourism industry’s ability to adjust and operate in a pandemic setting. 

“This program is not only protecting Ontarians’ jobs, but also driving interest for visitors to return to Ontario and reconnect and experience what our communities have to offer,” stated Bloore in a news release from the province.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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