Vaughan awarded almost $92K from Ontario after its online ‘innovative’ Winterfest

Thestar.com
March 23, 2021

Vaughan has been awarded $91,750 from Ontario following its “innovative” online programs, with its Winterfest being the city’s highlight during the COVID-19 pandemic that forced people to stay home, the city's website said on Thursday, March 18.

On Feb. 7, Vaughan's virtual Winterfest was headlined by Tyler Shaw, and featured other performances by Doo Doo the Clown, Roberta Battaglia, Team T&J and others.

"Thousands of viewers tuned in to watch the online event from eight different countries and more than 60 cities across the globe," the city said.

Some of the events that went online after the city declared a state of emergency in March last year included Canada Day, Remembrance Day, Hon. Jean Augustine's Key to the City presentation, the Volunteer Recognition Awards Ceremony, the Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremonies, Black History Month and International Women’s Day.

The grant is from the provincial government through the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries’ Reconnect Festival and Event Program.

The grant is said to support “events that strive to reconnect people to their communities through innovative online experiences.”