Ontario Supporting Seven Festivals and Events in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
May 4, 2026
OWEN SOUND – Some of the biggest events in Bruce and Grey counties will be receiving provincial support.
The Government of Ontario is investing $267,100 through the 2026 Experience Ontario program to support seven festivals and events this year in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. This is part of a more than $20 million government investment to help event organizers deliver high-quality programming and experiences for people of all ages.
“It is hard to beat summertime in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, because our community comes together for some truly remarkable events,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers. “I am proud to share that our government sees the positive impact these events have in our communities, and that we stepping up with support for these hardworking organizers.”
Vickers announced that the following local events are receiving financial support:
| Event Name (Organizer) | Event Location | Funding Amount |
| Sauble Beach Party (2582852 Ontario Ltd.) | Sauble Beach, ON | $125,000 |
| Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance (Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance Inc.) | Kemble, ON | $55,000 |
| 6th Annual Grey Highlands RAM Rodeo (Municipality of Grey Highlands) | Singhampton, ON | $20,000 |
| Canada Day Festival 2026 (City of Owen Sound) | Owen Sound, ON | $20,000 |
| Electric Eclectics Festival (Electric Eclectics) | Meaford, ON | $20,000 |
| Sweetwater Music Festival – Piano Spectacular (Sweetwater Music Festival) | Owen Sound, ON | $20,000 |
| Hopeville Kite Festival (South Grey Chamber of Commerce) | Hopeville, ON | $7,100 |
Experience Ontario 2026 is supporting festivals and events of all sizes across the province, strengthening tourism and supporting local economies while celebrating the people, places and traditions that make Ontario unique.
“The Sauble Beach Party continues to grow year over year, and with that growth comes a responsibility to keep pushing new ideas that bring people to the Town of South Bruce Peninsula on Labour Day weekend,” noted Hayden Hellyer, organizer of Sauble Beach Party. “As a rural area of Ontario, tourism plays a major role in our local economy. We want to sincerely thank the Province of Ontario for this support. There are so many amazing festivals and events across the province and we’re proud to be one of them recognized through this program.”
“SweetWater Music Festival is grateful for this investment through Experience Ontario, which will help us grow our 2026 festival and welcome more audiences, artists, and visitors to our region,” added Natasha Bood, General Manager of the Sweetwater Music Festival. “This support strengthens our ability to present exceptional live music while contributing to the cultural and economic life of the Grey Bruce community.”
“From Ontario’s charming small towns to its dazzling urban centres, festivals and events bring people together, create lasting memories and showcase the best of our communities,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “As we work to protect Ontario, these homegrown experiences play a vital role in celebrating our shared identity, bolstering main street businesses and ensuring our province remains a place people are inspired to explore — and proud to call home.”
For more information:
Office of Paul Vickers, MPP (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound)
paul.vickers@pc.ola.org (519) 371-2421