Look forward to five new ways to experience Centre Wellington this year.
In 2017, Centre Wellington and Regional Tourism Organization Four (RTO4) first launched the Destination Animation Project to encourage Elora and Fergus businesses, organizations and tourism stakeholders to create new visitor experiences and activities.
Projects must involve new or enhanced experiences – not capital or regular operational expenses.
This year, the project approved $10,000 in matching dollars to five applications, with a total overall partner contribution value of approximately $34,500.
Proposals were submitted by a variety of festivals and events, tourism enterprises and local businesses.
The selected projects align with Elora and Fergus’ destination DNA – heritage town charm, arts and culture, and nature-based assets, and go to great lengths to ensure that not only will the events and experiences be highly shareable but are supported by a strategic marketing plan.
The selected applications include:
A partnership between the Elora BIA, Elora Brewing Company, The American Federation of Musicians, Elora & Fergus Tourism and associated festival and event partners will host Grasslands Enhanced starting this summer.
Debb Greer from The Bookery, Nathalie McNeil from The Red Door Restaurant and Tala Jenkins will be hosts of the first annual Fergus Medieval Faire.
This new one-day downtown Fergus festival on July 28 will feature interactive and educational activities; medieval re-enactments, an authentic-looking Viking encampment, Celtic music, falconry demonstrations, an open-air market and more. A medieval feast dinner will be followed by a guided ghost tour featuring the histories and mysteries of downtown Fergus. Tickets available at the Bookery.
Sensational Elora in partnership with One Axe Pursuits will host a Monster Rappel parade on Oct. 20.
This year the Monster March parade will start with a spectacle at One Axe Pursuits on Henderson Street with monsters rappelling out of the bell tower.
The parade concludes at Bissel Park in Elora located on the banks of the Grand River with treats and entertainment.
“Follow the Flock” is a media campaign designed to drive awareness to the Elora Centre for the Arts inaugural Black Sheep Festival of Contemporary Textile Art by highlighting the historic and natural beauty of Elora and Fergus.
During June and the first week of July, a life-size flock of wooden sheep will move in and around Elora and Fergus with the two-fold purpose of promoting the festival and showcasing the natural setting and surrounding tourist attractions.
People will be encouraged to name the location of the flock. In other instances, people will be encouraged to “spot” the flock themselves and post their own pictures using #followtheflock #blacksheepelora. The flock will make its way back to the Elora Centre for the Arts for the duration of the festival.
Jackie Fraser from Fraberts Fresh Food in Fergus will host Brunch on the Bridge to celebrate the opening of an enhanced gateway to the Fergus downtown historic district over the Grand River and promote and increase public knowledge on sustainable and local food producers, farmers and growers. The harvest style farm to fork brunch on the bridge over the Grand River prior to reopening.
