Ontario Investing $250,000 to Support Festivals and Events in Fenelon Falls
August 8, 2025
Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism, and strengthen the City of Kawartha Lake’s economy
CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES — Ontario is investing $250,000 to support the Grove Theatre 2025 Season in Fenelon Falls. This is part of the government’s investment of more than $27 million in festivals and events through Experience Ontario 2025 and the Marquee Event Program 2025 across the province 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.
The Grove Theatre 2025 Season will be receiving $125,000 through the government’s Experience Ontario program, and an additional $125,000 through the Marquee Event Program.
“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.”
In total, Experience Ontario 2025 is supporting more than 350 festivals and events across the province.
The Marquee Event Program provides support to municipalities and organizations for the hosting of large-scale, high-impact events in Ontario.
“I am delighted to announce the Ontario Government’s funding to support the Grove Theatre with a total investment of $250,000 from the Experience Ontario Program and the Marquee Event Program,” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “The Grove Theatre’s 2025 Season is a truly enchanting experience that showcases incredible talent while providing an exciting and unique opportunity for residents and visitors to come together to celebrate our community’s rich culture and arts. Through these investments, our provincial government is helping to boost tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen the economy in Fenelon Falls and across the City of Kawartha Lakes.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the support from Experience Ontario. This funding is instrumental in bringing our 2025 mainstage productions to life and welcoming exceptional guest artists to our beautiful outdoor theatre in Fenelon Falls. It enables us to expand our tourism reach, strengthen community engagement, and continue delivering high-quality, accessible music and theatre experiences,” said Sean Cox, Artistic Director of the Grove Theatre.
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.
- Since 2021, the Ministry’s Marquee Event Program (formerly known as the Marquee Event Fund) has supported 16 events in the province.
- Through Experience Ontario, in 2025-26, the ministry invested nearly $20 million to support more than 350 festivals and events around the province.
- Festivals and events supported by Experience Ontario benefit communities by drawing more visitors who stay by drawing more visitors who stay longer in local accommodations, eat in restaurants, shop at local retailers and support main street businesses.
- This year, our government is investing over $200 million in the tourism sector through funding programs, Regional Tourism Organization grants, Destination Ontario, ministry attractions, and tourism agencies.
MEDIA CONTACT
Richard Ovcharovich
Legislative Assistant
Office of MPP Laurie Scott
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock
705-324-6654
richard.ovcharovich@pc.ola.org