NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF TIMMINS
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On Friday, March 2, representatives from Tourism Timmins were present to accept three awards on behalf of the City of Timmins from Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) – a provincial organization recognizing communities in their efforts to grow and promote festivals and events.
During Friday night’s award ceremony and banquet, Timmins was recognized as Municipality of the Year (less than 50,000). This award is a true show of the community coming together to offer amazing events in Timmins and belongs to all those who host or support events in the community.
The nomination, put forth by Tourism Timmins states: “There has always been an appetite for festivals and event in the City of Timmins. Early photos of the community have highlighted public gatherings for parades, concerts, and other recreational activities. The City has been host to musical acts such as Stomping Tom Connors, The Stampeders, Mister Mister, Pursuit of Happiness, Shania Twain, The Sons of Maxwell, Alice Cooper, The Barra MacNeils, Jann Arden, Gordon Lightfoot, Platinum Blond, Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Marianna’s Trench, Shawn Hook, Harlequin, The Mudmen, and over 50 bands which included Tom Cochrane, Hedley, Simple Plan, Johnny Reid, Meghan Patrick, Alan Frew and Keith Urban. Outdoor recreational events are well-supported such as the Mushkegowuk Council Cup (hockey which draws in 54 boys and girls teams, the Provincial Ringette Championships 2016 ‘A’ Provincials, and the annual CSRA Snowcross Series/Eclipse Financial Snocross Pro Challenge. During the summer months LaRonde Cultural Centre has been host to the Minor League Canadian Championships, six Provincial Championships and 10 District-4 Championships and the 2005 Major Canadian Championships. Because of our hockey history, Rogers Hometown Hockey selected the McIntyre Arena as a host site in 2016. Throughout the summer, visitors and residents take advantage of the free Summer Concert Series which occurs every Wednesday and Thursday from the end of June to the end of August. Timmins’ top festivals (Stars and Thunder, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival, and Rock on the River) are heavily attended, which has encouraged the City of Timmins to increase festival assets available for Municiplaity-hosted event and for event organizations to use. Finally, we have a 66-year-old Fall Fair event that draws in visitors from around Northeastern Ontario.”
Other criteria for consideration included details on the top five festivals, population, accommodation, parking and transit options for visitors, event venues, water, power, waste management and recycling capabilities for outdoor venues, emergency response plans, and how the municipality directly and indirectly supports festivals and events which are not city-run.
While the City is thrilled with this amazing recognition, the accolades didn’t stop there. Timmins’ Great Canadian Kayak Challenge and Festival was once again named one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario – a select group which represent some of the most well-known and respected celebrations in the province.
And last, but definitely not least, our very own Manager of Tourism and Events, Guy Lamarche was inducted into the FEO Hall of Fame. With letters of support from City CAO, the Tourism Timmins team, Timmins Festivals and Events Committee, the Timmins Snowmobile Club, and WildExodus, it’s obvious that the induction was well-deserved.
“Since 2000, FEO has inducted (over) 35 people into its Hall of Fame representing festivals, municipalities, organizations and events from across the province. Each individual named to the FEO hall of Fame is someone who has dedicated their career to the festival and event industry and who has made a lasting contribution to their community, festival, event or organization,” said an FEO media release.
“We are so proud of Guy, our Tourism team and our entire community, who truly come together to make Timmins a great place to live, work and play,” said City CAO Dave Landers.
An official presentation will be made during an upcoming Council meeting.
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