Ontario is supporting the fifth annual Canadian Redneck Games in Minto with a $32,000 Celebrate Ontario grant, John Wilkinson, MPP, Perth-Wellington announced on April 23.
Wilkinson was in Harriston on behalf of Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture.
Wilkinson added for the third year in a row, the Minto Redneck Games was nominated as one of the top 100 summer festivals in Ontario, “which is remarkable.”
“I’ve enjoyed being part of the Canadian Redneck Games. I tell everybody outside the county … culture and agriculture … that’s all you need to know about Perth-Wellington. The Canadian Redneck Games is a wonderful new tradition.”
Wilkinson said Celebrate Ontario 2010 is designed to support festivals, provide them with money to expand, improve and enhance what they have been doing.
The funds will assist increasing time that visitors spend in a community, whose spending will help ensure jobs.
He said the money is not to do what was done before, but “to do something new, bigger and better … so even more people come to that festival.
“We know the Canadian Redneck Games will use that money wisely and have even more people come and visit Minto.”
He said, “It’s quite something, when I tell people in Toronto that I represent the Canadian Redneck Games. It’s definitely getting on the map.”
Mayor David Anderson said the grant is a great announcement. “Our municipality really appreciates what you are doing for us at Queens Park. It’s a good partner working relationship.”
Anderson added, “We will continue to work together to get these projects finished. We’re always moving forward.”
Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen said the money will be used wisely. “Minto is a small community with big ideas. We have big plans, and we are very much … an ideal community. When we get together, it’s pretty amazing the ideas that come to the forefront.
Dirksen said she heard “the funding sandbox is full right now and there are a lot of opportunities for communities.
“But you still have to apply … or you don’t get it.” She recognized a huge volunteer base within Minto. “We couldn’t do a fraction of what we do without all of the volunteers.
Business and economic manager Belinda Wick-Graham said there are 24 groups working with the town
“The Celebrate Ontario funding has allowed us to enhance this year’s event, by offering a Saturday night concert featuring Canadian Country artists Corb Lund and Fred Eaglesmith. Fireworks will also light up the sky during intermission at the concert.
“By adding these enhancement to our events, we will be able to increase attendance, draw audiences from further afield, encourage overnight stays and visitor spending,” Wick-Graham said. “These will obviously help our local businesses community here in Minto and create a larger economic impact for our community. We hope to see you all at the Canadian Redneck Games from June 25 to 27.”
For more information visit canadianredneckgames.ca.
