North Island festivals to get boost from province

Multiple festivals in Campbell River and on the North Island are getting provincial funding to continue.

The province announced the $30 million in support of the events in February and recipients have been named as of Tuesday, with seven events are getting total funding of $61,300. The most is going to the North Island/Central Professional Contemporary Dance Series at $20,400.

A breakdown of the funding and events follows:

• North Island/Central Professional Contemporary Dance Series – $20,400 
• SalmonFest 2023 – $11,700 
• CR Live Streets – Summer 2023 – $11,700 
• North Island Music Festival – $8,400 
• Campbell River Wine, Brews and Blues Fest by the Sea – $4,000   
• Wings ‘n’ Wheels 2023 – $3,100 
• Haig-Brown Festival – $2,000   

According to the B.C. government’s February announcement, grant amounts can be up to 20 per cent of the total event budget with a maximum of $250,000 and organizations hosting multiple events are capped at $500,000.

Minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport Lana Popham says the past three years have been very difficult for many festivals in the province and the funding will help bring joy to British Columbians and support the economy.