C
Business
onnections June 2012
Blues & Jazz Festival Marks 10th Anniversary
The rain couldn’t keep dedicated music fans away as the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival took over Orangeville May 31 to June 3. Marking its 10th anniversary this year, committed festival organizers had to battle wind and rain but still managed to pull off a successful and wildly popular event. Beginning in 2003, the festival was the vision of local musician Larry Kurtz and began as a half-day music festival with more than 2,000 people attending. Since then, it has grown to a four-day festival with events taking place in over 20 venues and with musicians from Canada, the U.S. and Europe applying to participate. The festival owes its success to the hard work and dedication of more than 160 volunteers. Although the weather conditions forced organizers to cancel fan favourite “The Blues Cruise” on Friday night, musicians and fans alike packed into local bars, pubs and restaurants to make sure the music was still heard. The festival continued on Saturday with the popular Blues and Bikes on Mill Street, the main stage in Alexandra Park drew crowds all weekend, and the Broadway Gardens venue hosted the David Wilcox show on Saturday night. This year’s festival featured many well-known blues and jazz artists including Jill Barber, Suzie Vinnick and the Jack De Keyzer Band as well as some local talent including Ryan Grist, Heather Katz, the Orangeville Community Band, and the Sweet Adelines. In addition to taking in the concerts, patrons of the festival were able to take part in workshops and demonstrations, purchase unique gifts from vendors, and enjoy the local fare of the Market on Broadway. The positive effect of the festival can be seen in the local economy and a 2009 Festival Economic Impact Study showed that the festival resulted in a total economic benefit of over $1.1 million dollars for the community. The study also indicated that the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival attracts approximately 40% of its patrons from outside of the area, and over 80% of those visitors were likely to return to the area in the future. The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival has also been the recipient of numerous awards including being named one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario for two consecutive years. As the Festival continues to gain recognition each year, Blues and Jazz lovers everywhere are marking their calendars now to make sure they are able to attend next June.
Proclamation June 3 to 9 is “Tourism Week in Orangeville” In recognition of the positive impact that tourism has on the local economy, Councillor Sylvia Bradley proclaimed the week of June 3 to 9 as Tourism Week in Orangeville. The proclamation helps highlight the economic impact and social benefits of the community’s tourism sector and celebrates the newly-established agreement with Theatre Orangeville to deliver visitor services on behalf of the Town effective June 1, 2012. Participating in the proclamation were (from left) Town of Orangeville Economic Development Manager Nancy Huether, Councillor Bradley and Theatre Orangeville’s David Nairn, Marilyn Logan and Mary Crozier.
ORANGEVILLEBUSINESS.CA
Volume 3
Issue 3
COMPANY PROFILE
Theatre Orangeville representatives include (from left, bottom row) Wendy Sheedy, Sharyn Woodbury, Beckie Morris, Marsha Grant (from left, top row) Dan Nagle, David Nairn, Sofie Weber, Mary Crozier.
Great Theatre Closer Than You Think! Delighting audiences since its first season in 1994, Theatre Orangeville delivers the highest quality live professional theatre. With a focus on Canadian productions, the season runs from September to May and showcases some of the best theatrical talent from across the country. Theatre Orangeville has had the opportunity to develop and premiere a number of productions that have proven to be successful across Canada, including Little Women – The Musical, Dear Santa, Could You Wait and The Last Resort. Theatre Orangeville also operates an acclaimed youth program that not only introduces children to the theatre, but helps them build and strengthen their talents both on and off stage. Additionally, Theatre Orangeville provides vibrant creative theatre programs that are designed to encourage adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build on their innate creative talents in order to remove physical and attitudinal barriers so they can reach their full potential as individuals and become fully included participants in our community. Theatre Orangeville finds additional success in the relationships it has built with other businesses in Orangeville. Through the development of positive partnerships, Theatre staff have been able to create cross-promotional opportunities and build packages that help to generate revenue for local businesses. Numerous joint marketing projects completed in conjunction with the Town and the Orangeville BIA to promote the community and attract new visitors each year have also had economic impact. The positive effects of Theatre Orangeville can be seen in many facets of the Town – from a thriving downtown and passionate arts community to a culturally diverse municipality and a budding tourism environment. “I have lived here for 13 years now, but I've worked in almost every theatre across the country and I really would be hard pressed to find a more arts-focused community,” enthuses David Nairn, Artistic Director for Theatre Orangeville. “Orangeville is the most exciting, vibrant, inspiring, and dedicated arts community I’ve seen anywhere.” Outstanding program delivery, quality customer service, positive outreach and strong, successful partnerships have helped to create one of the best tourism attractions in the region and the Town is proud to be home to Theatre Orangeville.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
IN THE NEWS
Market on Broadway • Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. until October 20 The Market on Broadway opened for the season on Saturday, May 5 to beautiful weather and excited crowds eager to purchase the best in fresh produce, fruits, locally raised meats, fish, flowers, homebaked goods, and unique artisanal crafts. Located on Second Street just behind Town Hall, the Market on Broadway is open every Saturday, rain or shine.
Canada Day Celebration • July 1 Celebrate Canada at the annual Canada Day Celebration held at the Orangeville Fairgrounds (5 Sideroad, Mono). The event culminates with a spectacular fireworks display that lights up the night sky. Be sure to arrive early to take part in the children’s activities and get a great spot for the entertainment and talent competition featuring some of Orangeville’s greatest shining stars.
Orangeville’s Annual Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale • July 6 and 7 Discover our heritage at Orangeville’s annual Founders’ Fair and Sidewalk Sale. Broadway provides the perfect setting for this heritage-themed event that provides two days of entertainment for the entire family. Buskers perform tricks, illusions and magic, the main stage provides a myriad of entertainers, vendors sell unique arts and crafts, and the merchants of Downtown Orangeville provide special deals at a large sidewalk sale.
Friends of Island Lake Bass Fishing Derby • July 7 to 8 Cast your reel and try your luck at the Friends of Island Lake Bass Fishing Derby. This annual event brings together fishing enthusiasts from across the Province to engage in a little friendly competition. Well-known for bass fishing, Island Lake offers the perfect setting for a day on the water. Participants and spectators can admire the beautiful scenery from the shore, aboard a canoe or kayak or from one of the many trails. All money raised from this event will go towards the Island Lake Community Trails Campaign.
Orangeville Rotary Ribfest • July 20 to 22 The Orangeville Rotary Ribfest features five international ribbers who will vie for prizes and the recognition of being crowned the “crowd favourite”. This weekend event features a host of additional food vendors, a midway, beer tent, and activities for the whole family. Entertainment on the main stage will keep your toes tapping all weekend long while you enjoy the tastiest in barbecued treats.
SummerFeast 2012 • August 14 to September 2 Participating fine restaurants will each offer special menus of their extraordinary cuisine at very affordable prices during this special annual SummerFeast event. Visit www.summerfeast.ca for more information.
Check out orangevilletourism.ca for the latest information on all Orangeville-based tourism events.
REAL ESTATE FEATURED LISTING 224 Broadway, Orangeville Beautifully renovated commercial building for sale in downtown Orangeville. Renovations and an addition to the historic fire hall feature the inclusion of the fireman's axe staircase and the hose tower. This open concept, 2-level space also has access to a balcony waiting to be finished. Many allowable uses and located in the Central Business District. Please contact Chris P. Richie, Broker of Record/Owner, Re/Max In The Hills Inc. Brokerage, Bus. 905-584-0234.
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Orangeville Tourism Centre The construction of a new Tourism Centre at 200 Lakeview Court will soon commence and upon completion will be an asset in offering comprehensive tourism services in Orangeville. The facility, being built in recognition of the significant economic impact that tourism has on the local economy, will help to further establish Orangeville as a tourism destination and provide a variety of information on local attractions, events, recreational amenities, and other tourism-related information. The site is planned as a two-storey, 4,200 sq. ft., grade-separated building with the upper floor being accessed from Lakeview Court and the ground floor space accessed from Buena Vista Drive. With two separate parking areas, visitor information services and Theatre Orangeville administration will be housed on the ground floor and the upper floor space will be leased to another user. In addition to an attractive building, a landscaped setting that is complementary to the adjacent wetland area is also planned. Visitor services will be provided by Theatre Orangeville and will be available Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new centre will also be open on select holidays. A host of pamphlets, brochures and information on local tourism offerings will be available along with trained staff to answer walk-in, telephone and email inquiries. With the goal of enhancing positive visitor experiences and building the local tourism sector, visitor services staff will also provide pre-booked, guided group tours in Orangeville and assist with the organization of special events and group tour bookings. Visitor information services were assumed by Theatre Orangeville on June 1 and will be delivered from the Theatre Orangeville box office until the Orangeville Tourism Centre construction is complete.
THINGS TO KNOW Networking Group for Youth Launched Working with members of the Training and Education Committee on behalf of the Greater Dufferin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Orangeville & Area SBEC was pleased to be part of the first Young Professionals Networking Night on June 4. The evening provided an opportunity for young entrepreneurs and business professionals, 30 and under, to meet their peers, exchange business ideas, promote themselves and improve their business knowledge in a relaxed and casual environment. The June 4 event focused on building business awareness and was well attended. Young entrepreneurs are encouraged to contact the SBEC to find out how they can become involved.
Support Young Entrepreneurs Four very motivated and bright students from across the region have been selected to participate in this year’s Summer Company Program. These young entrepreneurs have received grants, available through a partnership between the Orangeville & Area SBEC and the Province of Ontario, to launch and operate their own summer ventures and their ideas are as varied as they are. Contact us to find out how you can support them!
87 Broadway, Orangeville, Ontario L9W 1K1 Phone: 519-941-0440 Toll Free: 1-866-941-0440 E-mail: info@orangevillebusiness.ca Twitter: @OrangevilleED You Tube: Orangeville Business Facebook: Orangeville Economic Development & Tourism