Province announces $125,000 Experience Ontario grant for Timmins’ 2026 Rock on the River

Ontario is providing $125,000 through its 2026 Experience Ontario program to the Timmins Festivals and Events Committee for the 2026 Rock on the River festival in Timmins, according to a July 25 announcement from Timmins MPP George Pirie.

For Timmins residents, the funding announcement identifies provincial support tied to next year’s Rock on the River and adds details about other provincial funding amounts previously connected to the festival.

In the announcement, Pirie said the grant is intended to support the annual event.

The provincial program is expected to distribute more than $20 million across Ontario in 2026, the announcement said.

The announcement also said the provincial government has invested more than $1.4 million in the Timmins Festivals and Events Committee and Rock on the River since 2018.

For the 2026 festival season, the announcement said Rock on the River will use a new stage that previously received $485,000 in funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).

As background, the announcement said Experience Ontario—formerly known as Reconnect Ontario and Celebrate Ontario—has supported more than 2,700 festivals and events across Ontario since 2018.

The announcement also noted the province supports festivals and events through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, which it said provides eligible organizations with funding for marketing and promotional costs.