WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington County is home to three of the top 100 festivals and events recognized in Ontario.
The Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games and Riverfest Elora were included on the annual “Top 100 Festivals and Events” list recently released by Festival and Events Ontario (FEO).
Submissions from FEO members were received for consideration in the fall and were judged by an independent panel of judges.
According to the judges, “These top 100 recipients represent festivals and events that excel within the industry.”
Festivals and events from all corners of the province were represented in the submissions – from community festivals to internationally recognized events, FEO officials stated.
The awards were given out on Feb. 26, during FEO’s annual conference.
Mount Forest Fireworks Festival
“This award is not possible without not only the committee but all of the volunteers that weekend,” fireworks festival chair Sharon Wenger told the Advertiser.
From July 18 to 21, Mount Forest hosts an action-packed weekend for everyone to enjoy.
“This is the 15th time [the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival] won that award, out of 22 years of hosting the festival,” said Wellington North councillor Sherry Burke during a regular meeting of council on March 10.
“I think that’s a huge accomplishment, so I just wanted to acknowledge that.”
The four-day festival brings an average of 15,000 people to Mount Forest each year – three times the community’s population of 5,000.
“It’s fascinating to them (FEO) that we pull out such a large-scale event on an almost strictly volunteer basis,” Wenger explained.
Last year the festival had 461 volunteers from start to finish.
“A lot of the events we are up against are township held/city held events who have a lot of paid workers,” said Wenger.
According to her, during the early years of the festival, the event was known by some as “the little festival that could.”
Last year the event included two nights of fireworks, a rib competition in memory of Bill Walker, a circus show, a vintage car show, helicopter rides, mascot races, gladiator jousting, live wrestling, a barbecue chicken dinner and performances from Michael LaFramboise, Assorted Affair, Peter J Yake, Sam and Robin, Jessica Sole and Max-Life Crisis.
“We feel it’s an award for the town,” Wenger said of being included on the FEO’s top 100 list. “It belongs to the town not just us.”
She said the committee has been sorting out the “fine details” and hinted at new editions to come this year.
‘A little bit of everything’
Two of the FEO’s top 100 events are based in Centre Wellington.
The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games annually takes place the second weekend in August (Aug. 8 to 10 this year) and averages about 25,000 people a year.
“What’s exciting is this year is our 80th anniversary so we are anticipating that number and more,” said festival executive director Elizabeth Bender.
The annual three-day festival has been a staple in the Fergus community for decades.
It includes Celtic music, crafts, heavy event championships, bagpipes and drums, Highland dancing, storytelling, heritage and more.
“It is a huge indication and a show of appreciation for the countless hours, the hard work and the passion that our volunteers put into this festival,” Bender said of the FEO recognition.
“It’s a really great pat on the back, it’s recognition across the province [and] also recognition amongst our peers in the festival and events world.”
‘Backyard festival’
Riverfest Elora began as a backyard festival in 2009 and has come a long way to be included on the top 100 list.
Elora artist Marilyn Koop, who died in 2012, founded the festival which now continues in her memory.
“I think it’s a great recognition of all of our hard work and really reflects the team and our passion behind putting on a great production,” said Riverfest manager Sonia Cheng.
It takes over 500 volunteers to organize and run the event. This year’s festival, set for Aug. 15 to 17, promises three days of food, music and friends, officials say.
“We are a world-class event in our tiny town that’s run by a group of friends and community members,” Cheng explained.
According to creative director Spencer Shewen, the festival welcomes 5,000 to 7,000 people a day over three days.
“We consider the village of Elora an extension of the festival,” he said, adding tickets for this year are already selling well and he encouraged those interested to buy early to “avoid disappointment.”
Tickets and more information for the festivals is available on their respective websites: mountforestfireworks.ca, fergusscottishfestival.com and riverfestelora.com.
– With files from Robin George
