Town receives Festivals and Events Ontario award for drive-in concerts

The Town of Orangeville is the recipient of a Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) Achievement Award for the 2020 Summer Concert Series. The Service Excellence Award for the Town of Orangeville was announced at the annual FEO conference, in a virtual format. FEO recognized organizations across the province, with a focus on adapt-pivot-evolve.

The Town of Orangeville, in partnership with Theatre Orangeville and B Social Snack Bar Dufferin/Community Living Dufferin offered a six-day Summer Concert Series in August 2020. The Rotary Park parking lot was transformed into a drive-in concert venue. Close to 1,000 people attended the concert series over the six days. Rain or shine the concerts provided an opportunity for live music to come to Orangeville in the trying days of COVID-19. Acts included the Campfire Poets, Leisa Way & the Wayward Wind Band, Ty Baynton, Itchy & Scratchy and Erin Bolton.

Mayor Sandy Brown, who initiated the idea, says it was a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together and to hear great local talent. “Thank you again to our sponsors e. Hoffman Plastics, Wightman and MyFM 101.5. Our community partners Theatre Orangeville and B Social Snack Bar helped with logistics, along with many members of Town staff. It has been a trying year but recognition like this shows us that we can come together as a community and makes good things happen.”