CENTRE WELLINGTON – Centre Wellington and Regional Tourism Organization Four (RTO4) launched the Destination Animation Fund to encourage Elora and Fergus businesses, organizations and tourism stakeholders to create new experiences for both visitors and residents.
“Creating collaborative experiences using our stunning and unique scenery, world class arts community and picturesque towns will absolutely set Centre Wellington on the stage as the place to be” said Mayor Kelly Linton.
The Destination Animation Partnership Fund was set up to support destination experiential projects on a matched basis. Projects must be new or enhanced experiences, and funding cannot be applied toward capital or regular operational expenses.
The 2017 Elora & Fergus Destination Animation Fund will co-fund $13,000 through six applications, with a total partner contribution value of approximately $48,752, in response to proposals submitted by festivals and events, tourism enterprises and local businesses.
This is the first year of the animation project, with nine applications submitted requesting $18,699.50.
The Fund partners – Regional Tourism Organization 4 (RTO4), Elora & Fergus Tourism (The Township of Centre Wellington) – are thrilled with the enthusiastic and creative responses by the Elora and Fergus community.
Selected projects aligned with Elora and Fergus’ destination attributes of its heritage town charm, arts and culture and nature based assets and went to great lengths to ensure that not only will the events and experiences be highly shareable but are supported by a directional marketing plan.
Winning applications selected include:
– Elora Festival and associate partners will be hosting Festival Faire; a new, free family-friendly event, to be held on July 8, 2017. The event celebrates Canada’s 150th anniversary, showcasing Centre Wellington’s festivals and events, natural beauty, rich heritage, rural foundations, artists, artisans, entertainers, merchants, and local food and drink.
– Elora Centre for the Arts for The River is Calling: a celebration of the Grand River, canoes and paddles. It is an experience that pays homage to the river by celebrating the natural beauty of the Grand River through two exhibits during June, July and August, a paddle painting workshop and will end with a collaboration with Riverfest which will see Brad Copping carry his mosaic canoe to the Grand River where he will paddle it, take it out of the water and suspend it above the Riverfest stage for the evening concert on Aug. 19.
– Kimberley Jefferson from Joanie’s Crafts Gifts & Stained Glass along with the Fergus BIA will host Twilight at Templin Gardens’, a free musical event at the historical Templin Gardens on Wednesday evenings through July and August. The event(s) will feature a live musical performance with local artists performing and storytelling about their lives in Centre Wellington. The finale of the evening will be a Piper piping down the sun on the candle lit Templin Garden Stairs built in 1920.
– Elora Arts Council, as part of the Plein Air Festival will be hosting the Bissell Quick Paint Competition on May 20 which is a two hour ‘paint out’ at Bissell Park. The event culminates in a show and sale of the work completed and an award for Best in Quick Paint Show. People can watch artists work quickly to capture a moment of time and light and buy a memory of small-sized and affordable art to take home, fresh off the easel.
– One Axe Inc. is planning on hosting a Rappelling and Dining by the River event on June 28. The four hour event starts with a tour, storytelling and safety demonstration at Chalmers Church, followed by the adrenaline inducing experience of rappelling from the 60ft cliff and finishes with a culinary delight along the river. The pilot event would be set at 12 participants for rappelling; culminating in a dining experience on the river with a natural/adventurous theme along with special guests.
For more information, contact Karen Mitchell at karen@rto4.ca or by phone at 519-271-7000 ext. 202 or Deb Dalziel at 519-846-9691 Ext 380.
For more information, and the application visit http://animationfund.ca “
