NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
*************************
This September, Orillia will once again join the national Culture Days initiative with its very own How-To Festival.
A How-To Festival is a free, cooperative learning experience, teaching practical, hands-on skills that can be taught in short sessions. The Orillia Public Library started this festival in 2017, featuring more than 40 special guests including kickboxers, horticulturalists, beaders and woodworkers. This year, they have teamed up with the City of Orillia’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department to grow the festival across Doors Open sites and cultural venues.
The Doors Open | Culture Days How-To Festival is being held Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018. In addition to opening doors to our City’s built heritage, we are looking for artists, writers, makers, musicians, chefs, dancers, and other individuals or organizations with an activity to share to join the festivities.
"Food, music, dance and storytelling are just a few examples of the cultural traditions that are such an important part of people’s lives in Orillia,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “This year’s focus is meant to showcase our City’s cultural roots and encourage new and diverse programming.”
Registrations received by Aug. 3, 2018, will be included in the City’s marketing materials and can apply for a Cultural Roots honorarium. New to 2018, the Cultural Roots program looks to recognize the community's growing diversity by helping local groups or individuals offer activities that bring awareness to their culture and traditions. To be eligible, activity providers must register by the Aug. 3 deadline and meet the program’s objectives.
“Culture Days is an opportunity for the public to experience, discover and connect with the City’s creative community,” said Jacqueline Soczka, manager of culture for the City of Orillia. “Expanding the festival beyond the library seemed a natural fit and a fun way for artists to share their craft and cultural hubs to enliven their spaces.”
For more information on how to register your activity or site, go here or contact Jacqueline Soczka, Manager of Culture, at [email protected].
*************************
