The Cranberry Festival will be back this fall in Bala with help from the Township.
During the Wednesday Muskoka Lakes council meeting, council voted unanimously in favour of accepting several requests from Cranberry Festival organizers. These include the use of the Bala Arena at a reduced rate, use of other Township land and parking lots at no charge and an exemption for business licensing bylaw for the festival and its venders.
The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. A letter to council from the organizers states that the event is needed to help revive tourism in the area.
While there is no telling what restrictions will look like in October when the festival is typically held, organizers are planning for the present gathering limitations. As of July 2021, COVID-19 restrictions allow for 75 per cent outdoor capacity for festivals and 50 per cent for indoor events.
According to the proposal to council, the economic analysis for the 2019 festival is reported to have brought over 1.7 million dollars to the local economy. Organizers are hoping to achieve half of the 2019 total considering the indoor restrictions.
Councillors agreed that on top of the approved requests for assistance from the Township, further help is needed for the success of the annual festival. Councillor Ruth-Ellen Nishikawa, who represents Ward A where the festival takes place, expressed her uncertainty for how the event would do under current conditions.
In response, Director of Public Works Ken Becking agreed that her concerns are valid. “The councillor’s [Nishikawa] concerns are quite frankly well founded and I don’t have a complete answer for you,” he said to council.
Becking said that municipal staff will work directly with organizers to follow the health unit’s rules and ensure the event is as safe as possible. He went on to say, “if council with allow staff the latitude, we will do our best to make it work.”
Councillor Nishikawa agreed with Becking’s offer of assistance.
“There’s an inexperience level there that I believe if we allow staff to work with them that we can have the best outcome, but a lot of guidance is needed,” she said.
Councillor Glenn Zavitz, another representative for the Bala area, said that the festival comes at an important time and anything that can be done to help should be.
“We need all the help we can get over here in Bala, for things like the Cranberry Festival. Anything the staff can do with their expertise to work with that committee and make this thing happen and become the most viable piece for Bala coming out of covid,” said Zavitz. “Can we please do that? I know we’ll try, but I would ask that we make every effort.”
The Cranberry Festival is expected to be held on October 15, 16 and 17.
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