Investment will celebrate local culture, boost tourism and strengthen local economy
| NEWS | June 2, 2025 |
Peterborough – Ontario is investing $20,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support the annual 2025 Kawartha Craft Beer Festival that will be held June 6-7, 2025. This is part of a nearly $20-million investment in festivals and events across Ontario to help organizers expand programming and draw visitors to stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
“Festivals and events showcase the best of Ontario; it’s people and its culture all while inviting people near and far to experience and enjoy our province. They help create local jobs, provide economic benefits and bring communities together,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “Now more than ever, it is important that we come together to take part in made-in-Ontario experiences that celebrate our collective identity and support local communities.”
“This $20,000 investment in the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival is fantastic news for Peterborough-Kawartha,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “Our government understands that these events are more than just entertainment; they are vital economic drivers that bring visitors, support our local businesses, and create jobs right here in our community. I’m proud to see this funding directly benefiting a festival that showcases local craft and brings our residents together.”
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Government of Ontario for their generous support of the Kawartha Craft Beer Festival,” said Richard Wood President and Co-Founder, Bobcaygeon Brewing Company. “This funding helps us celebrate local craft, boost tourism, and bring our community together in the heart of Peterborough.” Added Richard Wood.
The Kawartha Craft Beer Festival is anticipated to draw a significant number of attendees, providing a welcome boost to local accommodations, restaurants, and retailers. The Experience Ontario program’s strategic funding aims to ensure that such events continue to be cornerstones of local economies and community engagement across the province.
QUICK FACTS
Tourism plays a critical role in the Ontario economy, in 2023 visitors to Ontario spent $33 billion and supported more than 325,000 jobs.
Since 2021, the Ministry’s Experience Ontario program (formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario) has supported over 2,000 Ontario festivals and events.
In 2024-25, the ministry invested more than $20 million to support more than 250 festivals and events around the province.
- Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
- The Experience Ontario 2025 application period launched on November 28, 2024, with direct outreach to over 4,000 stakeholders and closed on December 30, 2024. To get your festival or event on the contact list for Experience Ontario 2026, email experienceontario@ontario.ca
- In 2024-25, our government invested over $192 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.
| MEDIA CONTACTS Dave Smith Action Centre 705-742-3777 David.smith@pc.ola.org |