Tourism association funds Queens County festivals

In Queens Co., the 18th Annual Hank Snow Tribute, Liverpool International Theatre Festival, Liverpool Privateer Days, and Queens County SeaFest were awarded funds. Involving county residents are South Shore in Motion 2008 and Mi’kmaq & Acadian Festival & Reunion. Twenty-two other organizations from Lunenburg and Shelburne counties also received cheques.

The funding is made possible through a partnership with the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. The tourism association represents the Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley, Yarmouth & Acadian Shores and South Shore.

Association president, Rick Welsford said events and festivals don’t often make money directly but bring large numbers of visitors and, therefore, tourism dollars to western Nova Scotia.

“In this region alone, from Lunenburg to Shelburne, I think the festivals and events have a budget of about $1.2-million. That’s an indication of how important these events are.”

The Festivals and Events Assistance program is designed to provide assistance to those festivals or events that are able to increase the number of tourists and spending in the province. To work towards achieving these goals, the program is designed to provide cooperative (partnership) support to a maximum of 50 per cent of costs associated with the direct-to-consumer marketing initiatives that are strategically in line with both the festivals’/events’ mandate as well as the province’s objectives.

Madonna Spinazola, General Manager of Destination Southwest Nova Association said the association recognizes the efforts that staff and volunteers have contributed to these important events.

“We are pleased to be awarding this funding assistance to the numerous festivals and events that work so diligently to organize these important community events for visitors and locals to celebrate our life, heritage and culture.”