Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino announced funding of more than $837,000 for festivals taking place around Manitoba this summer and invited everyone to partake in the fun.
“Our government is pleased to support summer festivals,” said Marcelino. “Festivals, events and attractions provide an economic boost to communities across Manitoba and memorable experiences for people visiting our great province.”
The type of festivals receiving Community Festivals and Events Support includes family fun days, powwows, cultural festivals, country fairs, rodeos and western weekends.
More than $655,000 is being provided to support numerous major arts and cultural festivals across the province. These include:
• Winnipeg’s Folklorama,
• Winnipeg International Children’s Festival,
• Winnipeg Jazz Festival,
• Dauphin CountryFest,
• Winnipeg International Folk Festival,
• Winnipeg Fringe Festival, and
• Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival.
Smaller festivals taking place in regions throughout the province are also receiving support. A total of $177,000 is being provided to support 43 regional festivals including:
• 14 festivals in the Eastman region,
• six festivals in the Central region,
• eight festivals in the Westman region,
• 11 festivals in the Interlake region, and
• four festivals in the NorMan region.
First introduced in 2003, the Community Festival and Events Support program provides consultative and financial assistance to rural and northern community festivals that are recognized as signature annual events in their communities.
“These annual events strengthen ties and engender community pride,” said Marcelino. “Through the government’s investment in festivals, we are providing Manitobans with more occasions to get involved in their communities through the expression and celebration of local culture and heritage.”
