Orillia celebrating Culture Days with day of free events

Sept. 28 events include presentations from local arts and culture organizations

The Meeting Place was home to art and mental health drop-ins during a previous Culture Days celebration in Orillia.Nathan Taylor/OrilliaMatters

NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The City of Orillia is pleased to participate in Culture Days and invites Orillians to engage with the local arts and culture community at a special event on Sept. 28.

This free, family-friendly event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is open to all members of the public. It is taking place in the outdoor courtyard at the Orillia Recreation Centre (255 West St. S.) and will feature a full schedule of free arts and cultural activities.

“As we celebrate Culture Days in Orillia, we honour the rich diversity, creativity, and heritage that shapes our community,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “This is a time to come together, share our stories, and celebrate the diverse expressions of culture that make our city so vibrant. Thank you to our partners for making this event happen. I encourage everyone to participate in the free activities scheduled for Culture Days and enjoy a day filled with creativity and community.”

The event is made possible thanks to partnerships with local organizations including Arts Orillia, Georgian College, Orillia and Area Black Community Association, Orillia & District Arts Council, Orillia Museum of Art & History, and the Orillia Native Women’s Group.

There will be opportunities for attendees to interact with local artists, learn new techniques, and express their own creativity through hands-on activities and workshops. A special group activity called Postcards to the Future, brought to life by all partner organizations, will run throughout the day, inviting participants to contribute to a colossal tree made of postcards bearing messages for the future. The remainder of the day will feature a comprehensive lineup of programs and events hosted by partner organizations.

Orillia Culture Days schedule for Sept. 28, 2024:

Time	Organization	Activity
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.	Group/partners	Postcards to the Future
9:30 to 10 a.m.	Dignitaries and event organizers	Opening remarks
10 to 11 a.m.	Arts Orillia	You are Swimming Here
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.	Georgian College	The World is One Big Family
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.	Orillia and Area Black Community Association	This is Who We Are!
1:45 to 2:45 p.m.	Orillia & District Arts Council	Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop
3 to 4 p.m.	Orillia Museum of Art & History	Hands-On with OMAH
4:15 to 5:15 p.m.	Orillia Native Women’s Group	Reading of Phyllis’s Orange Shirt

“This initiative showcases local arts and culture organizations working together to achieve something great,” said Megan Visser, recreation program supervisor. “This event wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our arts and culture sector. We sincerely appreciate all our partners for their enthusiasm and commitment to nurturing a lively cultural community.”

This event is taking place as part of the Culture Days Festival, which is a national celebration of arts and culture. Held annually each fall, Culture Days aims to highlight the role of arts in community building and promote a deeper understanding of cultural diversity across the country. Organizers host interactive activities and invite the public to participate for free. For more information on Culture Days, visit culturedays.ca.

For more information about Orillia Culture Days activities and partner organizations, visit orillia.ca/CultureDays.

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