Guy Lamarche, Chair of the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival  accepts a $4,500 donation from Leo Lafleur & Rick Morgan of the Kiwanis Club Of Timmins in support of this year’s festival and specifically the children zone. The  Kiwanis Club has been a long time supporter of the kayak challenge. According to club member  Leo Lafleur  “supporting the festival is the natural thing for our club to do.  Our Motto is   Serving the Children of the World . We see the happy faces throughout the weekend and know that for many, this free festival is the closest thing to a vacation many of the children attending will ever get.”   “Knowing that we are able to make a difference in a child’s life is important to the club and its members” continued Morgan. . According to Lamarche,  the $4,500 contribution will go a long way at ensuring quality programming, something that the festival is known for.  To date, the corporate community has committed $90,000 in cash, $150,000 in kind and $9,000 in prize giveaway.

The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival has been chosen as one of the host sites for Ontario’s free ONtour concert series which will be stopping in more than 20 communities across Ontario and showcasing some of the province’s brightest homegrown musical talent, says a press release from the provincial government.

Each concert will consist of at least three acts.

“More than 50 Ontario artists will be part of the ONtour roster, including the Jim Cuddy Band, Serena Ryder, Kim Mitchell, The Tea Party, Magic!, Tom Cochrane, James Barker Band, Our Lady Peace, Big Wreck, Kardinal Offishall, The Philospher Kings, Barenaked Ladies, Mélanie Brulée, USS, Alx Veliz, Anjulie, Jonathan Roy, Coleman Hell, Scott Helman, Rivertown Saints, Michelle Treacy, Francesco Yates, DJ Shub, Karl Wolf, Next Generation Leahy, Tyler Shaw, Midnight Shine, Mia Martina and others” are acts that are taking place.

All of the ONtour concerts are free and open to music-lovers of all ages and there are no tickets required.

The ONtour schedule and updates are available at www.ontario.ca/ONtour.

For Immediate Release

May 18, 2017

Festival & Events Ontario Recognize Heather Demers

 Timmins, On The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival Steering Committee presented long standing committee member, Heather Demers, with a Certificate of Recognition for the countless hours that she has dedicated to the festival. Over the years, Heather has been instrumental in helping to grow the festival by incorporating an extensive amount of exhibitor programming and increasing the number of operators providing a culinary experience for the many visitors.

“The Vendor Marketplace and Food Vendor footprint continues to grow and has become a favourite for the thousands who attend the festival each year. It is not uncommon to see long line-ups in the food court. People wait patiently for the opportunity to immerse themselves in the many culinary experiences that are available at the festival. Heather’s dedication to the festival programming has been well received and her passion has certainly made a big difference” said festival Chair Guy Lamarche.

“Paddling has been the main focus of the event now entering its 9^th year. It was important to incorporate peripheral activities alongside the paddling event in an effort to build a “best in class” paddling festival and grow the attendance numbers. People really appreciate cultural programming, crafters and foodies. The addition of a vendor marketplace  and extensive food court  has been well received by the visiting public and has certainly helped us to grow the event from one day to a three day festival.” Continued Lamarche

“The importance of volunteers to the festivals and events industry cannot be undervalued and, for this reason, the Certificate of Recognition was created by Festivals & Events Ontario to recognize the significant contribution that individuals bring to the festivals and special events industry of local communities” offered Christine Morgan, Awards Committee Chair and Kathrin Delutis, CEO, Festivals Ontario.

“Festivals like the Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival would not be as successful as they are without the groundswell of volunteer support. In my mind, volunteers are the unsung heroes and I’m happy to recognize one of many who have brought an unselfish, meaningful contribution” concluded Lamarche.

For more information contact Guy Lamarche, Chair, Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival 705-360-2640, guy.lamarche@timmins.ca