Province Funds 7 Local Festivals, With Sauble Beach Party Taking Largest Share
The Ontario government is providing $267,100 to seven Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound festivals through Experience Ontario 2026, with funding ranging from $7,100 to $125,000.
The Ontario government will provide $267,100 to seven festivals and events in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound this year through its Experience Ontario 2026 program, MPP Paul Vickers announced.
The Sauble Beach Party, organized by 2582852 Ontario Ltd., will receive the largest share at $125,000 — close to half of the riding’s total allocation. The Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Kemble follows at $55,000.
Five additional events will each receive between $7,100 and $20,000:
6th Annual Grey Highlands RAM Rodeo (Municipality of Grey Highlands), Singhampton — $20,000
Canada Day Festival 2026 (City of Owen Sound) — $20,000
Electric Eclectics Festival, Meaford — $20,000
Sweetwater Music Festival – Piano Spectacular, Owen Sound — $20,000
Hopeville Kite Festival (South Grey Chamber of Commerce) — $7,100
The provincial program is delivering more than $20 million across Ontario this year, according to the announcement.
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming has not provided a public breakdown of how many festivals applied for Experience Ontario 2026 funding, how many were approved or denied, or the criteria used to determine individual funding amounts.
“It is hard to beat summertime in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, because our community comes together for some truly remarkable events,” Vickers said in a release. “I am proud to share that our government sees the positive impact these events have in our communities, and that we are stepping up with support for these hardworking organizers.”
Sauble Beach Party organizer Hayden Hellyer said the funding will support continued growth of the Labour Day weekend event in South Bruce Peninsula. Sweetwater Music Festival General Manager Natasha Bood said the investment will help the festival expand its 2026 programming.
The announcement does not specify whether the funding amounts cover the full event budgets or what proportion of each festival’s costs the grants represent. It also does not indicate whether recipients will be required to report on attendance, economic impact or use of funds.
More information about Experience Ontario 2026 is available through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming.
Related:
This specific granting stream, Experience Ontario, is for festivals and events that demonstrate tourism impact and entice people to visit Ontario. The amount allocated is connected to the festival's operating budget. https://www.tpon.gov.on.ca/eo/#/home
OK, I went down the rabbit hole because I was a bit taken aback by a big money-maker like the Sauble Beach Party got the largest grant---owned by a numbered company?! The rules are many, sounds like you can't bring anything more than a towel. And I wonder if they will change the name of the event to "Saugeen Beach Party" -- or maybe it's on a part of the beach that isn't owned by SON? I realize it's not aimed at my demographic but Im curious.