Supercrawl and Because Beer among Hamilton festivals getting $605K boost from Ontario government

Thirteen festivals and events in Hamilton will get a boost this year with $605,000 from the provincial government. 

Well-known arts and music street festival, Supercrawl, will receive the largest grant at $125,000, said MPP Neil Lumsden, who represents Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, in a media release Tuesday. 

The Because Beer Festival, Winona Peach Festival and Hamilton Fringe Festival, among others, received $55,000 each. Smaller events such as FrancoFEST, the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek and Boots in the Creek received $20,000. 

"These festivals and events are enjoyed by both residents and visitors, and they play an important role in strengthening our local economy – attracting tourists, supporting local businesses, and showcasing Hamilton as a dynamic cultural destination in the region," said Lumsden. 

The money was made available through 2025 Experience Ontario, a provincial program to help festivals and events grow and draw more visitors to the province and get them to stay longer. A total of $20 million was provided to 350 events across the province. 

A FrancoFEST organizer, Lanciné Koulibaly, executive director of Centre Francophone Hamilton, previously told CBC Hamilton he is concerned the three-day event in June will see fewer people visiting from the U.S. because of the uncertain economy and trade war. 

FrancoFEST and Because Beer Festival also received federal loans announced last month. 

Hamilton festivals and events received the following amounts from the Ontario program:

• $20,000 for the Country Music Association of Ontario Festival, May 30 and June 1, venues across the city. 
• $20,000 for the Re-enactment of the Battle of Stoney Creek, June 7-8, Battlefield House Museum and Park.
• $20,000 for FrancoFEST, June 20-22 at Gage Park.
• $55,000 for It's Your Festival, June 28-30 and July 1, Gage Park. 
• $55,000 for Because Beer Festival, July 11-12 at Pier 4 Park. 
• $55,000 for Hamilton Fringe Festival, July 16-27, venues across the city.
• $55,000 for Festival of Friends, TBD in August, Gage Park. 
• $20,000 for Boots in the Creek 2025, Aug.15-16, downtown Stoney Creek.
• $20,000 for Dundas Cactus Festival, Aug. 15-17, across Dundas.
• $55,000 for Winona Peach Festival, Aug. 22-24 at Winona Park. 
• $55,000 for Hamilton Day, Nov. 1-3, across the city.
• $50,000 for Hamilton Winterfest, dates TBD.