The Canuck government is pumping funds into attractions it considers significant tourist draws, with the Stratford Shakespeare Fest and the Shaw Fest, both in Ontario, receiving hefty sums.
Stratford gets about $3 million Canadian (about $2.5 million in U.S. greenbacks) while the Shaw Fest receives around $2.1 million Canadian (US $1.7 million).
Budget boost has prompted Stratford to restore performances of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that had previously been cancelled due to fiscal constraints.
Grants are part of Canada's Marquee Tourism Events Program, which will hand out $100 million (US $82 million) over two years to the country's major tourist magnets.
Contact Gordon Cox at
gordon.cox@variety.com