MANITOULIN—Manitoulin Island and partner 4elements Living Arts has been chosen as one of the Ontario communities that will be an official fall festivals hub. Ontario Culture Days (OCD) announced the 13 Ontario communities selected last week. The festival will run from September 20-October 13 across Ontario.
“Manitoulin Island is an exciting addition to our festival hub network,” stated Ruth Burns, executive director of OCD. “With 4elements Living Arts’ remarkable contributions to Ontario Culture Days, this partnership signifies a natural progression in our journey.”
“The Manitoulin Hub represents an important destination in Northern Ontario,” said Ms. Burns. “We look forward to celebrating the region’s rich cultural and artistic traditions this fall.”
The festival hubs serve as local community leads for Ontario Culture Days, helping visitors to find events and learn more about the festival. Hubs represent a selection of the diverse communities within Ontario and present a high volume of quality programming for all ages during the annual festival.
“If you’re searching for a creative community to visit this fall, look no further than our festival hubs!” said Ruth Burns, executive director, OCD. “We are thrilled to announce our 2024 festival hubs from towns and cities across Ontario. Festival hubs provide on-the-ground representation and help get the word out about the hundreds of community events that will happen in their communities this September.”
“Let’s work together. What we will be doing as Four Elements Living Arts is hosting our annual Elemental Festival from September 20-21,” said Susan Snelling, president of 4e. “We are seeking information from groups and organizations who are holding any type of cultural/arts events during this time (September 20-October 13) to let us know. Ontario Cultural Days will promote the event. We will help with coordinating all those groups that are holding events and let (OCD) know.”
“We will have calls going out to groups and organizations and be posting on our social media for these groups to contact us about events they will be hosting,” said Ms. Snelling.
The 12 other communities selected as community hubs include Brant, Gananoque and 1000 Islands, Guelph, Halton, Ottawa region, Sault Ste. Marie, Scugog, St. Catharine’s and Niagara Region, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vaughan, Windsor.
“In response to the incredible community engagement seen in 2022 and 2023, Ontario Culture Days is thrilled to continue the Festival Hub program into its third year. These hubs are strategically placed in cities and towns across the province. The hubs serve as focal points for visitors to discover local events and gain insights into the diverse cultures of the areas,” a release notes.
In naming Manitoulin as a festival hub, “Manitoulin Island, ‘Spirit Island,’ is a unique geographic feature that lies within the Great Lakes, and an arts and culture hub in Northeastern Ontario,” OCD says.
OCD is a not-for-profit organization that celebrates artists and cultural groups in our communities.
“The OCD festival is an annual celebration of arts, culture and heritage taking place each fall across the province. Each year, we work with organizers of all disciplines to produce this province-wide festival. Organizers host programs throughout Ontario and invite the public to participate for free.”
OCD will take place between September 20 to October 13. Individuals, groups, and organizations can showcase their creativity and connect with their communities by hosting arts, culture, and heritage events across the province.
