Since its inception in 2002, the Windfall Ecology Festival has been York Region's largest, free, outdoor, community festival that celebrates the natural environment and ecology within Ontario. The festival is a showcase for community and regional ecology initiatives, as well as products, programs and services related to healthy lifestyle, energy efficiency, locally grown food, local artists and performers, sustainable transportation, and cultural diversity.
Through the Ontario 150 Community Celebration Program, Windfall will use the funding to bring the community together and build awareness about Ontario’s rich cultural, ecological and historical narrative and make timely enhancements to our festival.
Together, we will build awareness about Ontario’s rich cultural, ecological and historical narrative and give attendees a taste
of Ontario's food, land and people, and bring an exciting level of celebration to our community.
Sponsorship and collaboration with Healthy Kids Community Challenge Aurora will engage families and children with fresh ideas and inspiration on physical activity, healthy eating and celebrating the bountiful variety of local vegetables and fruit.
In consultation with our team, partners and funders we will use this funding to transition to a fall timed, Windfall Harvest Festival with a new location Aurora!
The renamed event will continue to showcase and include: feature performers, speakers and interactive displays that complement and amplify past festival's programming, while creating excitement for Ontario's 150th anniversary. These enhancements include:
- Celebration of Local Food Movement, featuring local food producers, food demonstrations, and celebrity food talent.
- New Outdoor Learning Experiences, like Intro to Rock Climbing, Nature Play Pop Up and Learn to Camp, that encourage people to try new outdoor activities, get outdoors and active, and explore Ontario’s parks and green spaces.
- Historical Pioneer Re-enactment, an interactive and interpretive display that provides a look into the daily life of pioneers, including period clothing, antique and replica items, tools and cooking demonstrations.
- Celebration of Ontario’s Indigenous Communities, through a variety of First Nations storytelling, singing and drumming performances, traditional First Nations dances, and Aboriginal cooking demonstrations.
- Promotion of Ontario's 150 Anniversary, through new advertisements, promotional materials, and online and social media content.
