The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will make an official visit to the Municipality as part of the celebrations
For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 4, 2022 - Port Hope, ON
The annual Arts Festival returns to Downtown Port Hope on August 13 with an impressive array of arts and cultural experiences, including a 10-minute play series, a vendor market, wagon rides, art around town, special meal and drink features at local restaurants, and a community gathering in Memorial Park. There will be activities for the kids all afternoon, and an outdoor movie under the stars in the evening.
This year’s event also features an official visit from Her Honour, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who will open the Festival and provide remarks to start the day.
A formal media advisory with a detailed itinerary of Her Honour’s visit will be provided closer to the date.
“The Port Hope Arts Festival celebrates the diverse culture we have in Port Hope and Northumberland County,” notes Bob Sanderson, Mayor of the Municipality of Port Hope. “This event has something for everyone, and we are excited to host it each year. In particular, we are fortunate to mark the occasion with the Lieutenant Governor and provide her with a glimpse of all that our community has to offer.”
The outdoor, free Festival is a celebration of art, and community. The outdoor makers markets reflect a colourful mix of Northumberland County’s culture and will showcase the diverse talents and products of local and regional artists.
The 10-Minute Play Series has been expanded to feature eight shows. There will be six 10-minute plays, a storytime for kids and one live reading. The diverse program boasts the work of Canadian playwrights and talents of regional actors at various outdoor venues centralized in downtown Port Hope. There will be plays produced, on the hour and on the half hour, throughout the day from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
An assortment of community groups will be set up in Memorial Park offering many colourful, interactive activities for the whole family. The Port Hope Arts Festival runs from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The evening portion of the event will begin at dusk with the final outdoor movie of the season, showing the documentary film, Long Time Running. The film was directed by Port Hope residents and award-winning filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal (Manufactured Landscapes) and Nicholas de Pencier.
Art Around Town is back again this year, featuring the work of 16 artists in various shop windows throughout the downtown. This initiative is coordinated in partnership with Herb Jung and transforms downtown Port Hope into a giant art gallery. The work will be displayed from August 1 until August 14. This year, the participating artist have committed 25 percent of any piece sold to go towards the Northumberland for Ukraine Families.
Background
August is Arts month in Port Hope, and the celebration of the arts continues with live music, self-guided tours, and art programs throughout the month of August. Visit our webpage.
The Port Hope Arts Festival has been running for 19 years and is a free celebration of art and community. The event is hosted by the Municipality of Port Hope, in partnership with many local collaborators. This year the event has been funded, in part, by the Government of Ontario.
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