Ontario Investing $70,000 to Support Festivals and Events in Elgin-Middlesex-London

Investment will celebrate Canadian and local culture, boost tourism and strengthen Elgin-Middlesex-London economy

LONDON – Ontario is investing $70,000 through the 2025 Experience Ontario program to support two festivals and events in London. 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.

The announcement was made by Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London with the following local events receiving funding:

$20,000 to East Park London for Fairway Fest
$50,000 to Airshow London for SkyDrive 2025

“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.

“Festivals and events like Fairway Fest and SkyDrive 2025 bring real energy to our community. They support local jobs, boost small businesses, and give people a reason to visit, stay, and spend time in London,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “I’m proud our government is investing in events that celebrate our region and drive economic growth right here at home.”

“The funding we’ve received is more than financial support—it’s a strong endorsement of our mission” said Holly Doty, Executive Director of Airshow London. “We are especially grateful to Experience Ontario, whose contribution helps us attract tourism to our region and continue serving as a key economic driver.”

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 CONTACT
Emily Bradshaw
Communications Advisor
Office of Rob Flack, MPP
emily.bradshaw@pc.ola.org