The Georgian Bay Folk Society, a cultural organization that presents the annual Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival while strengthening the Bruce/Grey/Owen Sound communities and promoting musicians and artisans, was awarded two grants on January 20th, 2017. The grants were endowed by the Province of Ontario, ONT150 Community Celebration Program for the purpose intended to help organizers enhance programming, activities and services to draw more tourists and create jobs, while celebrating the rich history and diversity of the Province of Ontario and its people.
"Festivals and events bring local communities together," said Eleanor McMahon, minister of tourism, culture and sport, in announcing the funding in Hamilton. "I am thrilled that our government continues to make important investments through the Celebrate Ontario program."
Summerfolk and the GBFS will present the Canadian Connection Celebration, taking place at Kelso Beach Park on Thursday, August 17th, 2017, featuring musicians such as The Chippewa Travellers, The Jerry Cans and Buffy Ste. Marie.
The goal of the project is to celebrate and explore Ontario's proud history by inviting the surrounding indigenous communities, the Summerfolk community, along with the general public to participate in a new event as part of the annual 42nd Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival; a Thursday night event, August 17th, 2017 called the 'Canadian Connection Celebration'. All communities included will be empowered to share their artistic expressions, culture and community pride.
- A limited number of tickets will be sold to the general public. ($15.00 each on-line www.summerfolk.org or through the GBFS office) Gates open @ 6:30pm / Opening Ceremony @7:00pm
- The event will be a family-oriented, non- alcoholic event.
- The project will be headed by Roxane Davidson, GBFS General Manager /Festival Coordinator and GBFS Board Director, Nancy Mathies. Outside consultants from the Great Lakes Metis and the First Nations Councils will be contracted to assist with communications/relations and promotional services.
Also, the GBFS and the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) will present 'A Month of Sundays', musical performances in the 'Summerfolk workshop' format, taking place aboard the Chi-Cheemaun ferry each Sunday afternoon (5) during the month of July 2017.
In a partnership with the Folk Society, the OSTC is proud to present, for the first time, 'A Month of Sundays', to celebrate the music and the tradition of the people of Ontario by bringing together experienced and 'new' artists for a series of five afternoon 'workshops' on the fabled Chi-Cheemaun Ferry. This series will also celebrate the historic importance of the ferry route between Tobermory and South Baymouth, which has been operating since the 1930's.
"Ferries and music share a long tradition in Ontario, making connections – bringing people together through place, story, culture and shared experience. Owen Sound Transportation Company is pleased to collaborate with the Georgian Bay Folk Society for this very special Ontario150 event, 'A Month of Sundays', a showcase and musical celebration of the history, culture, and people who are the past, present and future of our beautiful Province of Ontario." Susan Schrempf, CEO/President Owen Sound Transportation Company
Tickets will be available on the date of event at the ticket booth and are inclusive of ferry as the performances will take place during the regular ferry crossing. A four hour round trip excursion cost is $25.00 per person. The project will be headed by Kaleena Johnson, Manager - Media & Customer Relations, along with President and CEO, Susan Schrempf. James Keelaghan, GBFS/Summerfolk Artistic Director, has been consulted to assist with formatting and workshop programming.
"The Georgian Bay Folk Society is honoured and very thankful to be selected by the Ontario150 selection committee and awarded funding allocated towards the two projects submitted by the GBFS. The 'Canadian Connection Celebration' and the 'Month of Sundays' projects are both very exciting. Each of the projects assist the GBFS and Summerfolk to continue doing what we do best - create events and programs that allow the organization and the community to be inclusive and diverse, while sharing and celebrating music, arts and culture together."