The Town of Hawkesbury is applying for funding from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) for the 2024 Hawkesbury Multicultural Festival.
On May 13, Hawkesbury council approved allowing Mayor Robert Lefebvre to apply for $50,000 from the Regional Community Investment Fund (RCIF) to assist with the costs of the festival, which takes place this year from June 28 to 30.
The festival was previously funded by a federal Communauté francophone accueillante (Welcoming Francophone Community) grant of $70,000 per year. However, 2023 was the last year for the federal funding.
Each UCPR mayor is permitted to apply for $50,000 in RCIF funding each year for community projects or events. Councillor Yves Paquette questioned using all of the 2024 RCIF allocation for the multicultural festival and noted there are other events and festivals in Hawkesbury.
Lefebvre noted that up to two RCIF applications per year are permitted, which could influence future funding applications.
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois asked if the festival was again going to be based at and around Place des pionniers. She said the downtown park was too crowded and potentially dangerous at last year’s festival. Charlebois said the festival may have become a victim of its own success because of the crowds it attracts.
Director of Recreation and Tourism Geneviève Goulet explained Place des pionniers is the site because it already has a permanent stage. She said an additional TV monitor will also be set up to allow spectators to view shows taking place on stage from further away along Main Street during the festival.
