Festival season is on!

 

York Region’s music mania and international culture liven up summer

 

NEWMARKET –This summer, York Region’s weekends are jam-packed with festivals celebrating a range of music and cultural traditions.

The Region’s parks will be filled with music at the Concert/Music-in-the-Park Series, held in Aurora, Georgina, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Unionville and Vaughan every week throughout the summer. Showcasing an array of music from vocalists and local entertainers, these series feature plenty of activities for all ages.

Markham is another music hot spot. Whatever your preference – jazz, blues, rock or folk – Markham will host it all.

• From July 15^th to 17^th, the Markham Ribfest and Blues Festival will showcase several performers, including Jeff Healy and the Jazz Wizards, and the Bebop Cowboys. The ribfest features specialties of the top ribbers from across the United States and Canada.
• The spirit of soul will be celebrated August 19^th to 21^st at the Markham Jazz Festival. An evening at one of Main Street, Unionville’s popular outdoor patios as top musicians entertain into the wee hours of the night is possibly one of the best ways to enjoy summer.

In York Region’s northern neighbourhood, the charming community of Pefferlaw opens its doors August 26^th to 28^th for the 16th Annual Eaglewood Folk Festival. As a premier folk event featuring top singer/songwriters in folk music, this festival is a nice way to end the summer off with a bang.

As one of Ontario’s most ethno-culturally diverse areas, communities across York Region proudly host festivals celebrating the tastes, sounds and traditions from around the world.

• The Maple Italian Festival, July 23^rd to 24^th, and the Woodbridge Italian Festival, July 30^th to 31^st, enables visitors to indulge in the tastes, sounds and traditions of Italy.
• Black Creek Pioneer Village will host artistry from the roots of Métis traditions at the Métis Arts Festival July 23^rd to 24^th.
• July 22^nd to 24^th and 29^th to 31^st, Markham’s Greek Summer Festival showcases live music after 7:30 p.m., traditional Greek cuisine and dance, a grand raffle and a mini amusement park.
• The distinct wail of bag pipes and the steps of the highland dancers will be showcased at the Celtic Sounds Festival, August 27^th to 28^th at Black Creek Pioneer Village.

For more information about the Concert/Music-in-the-Park Series, please contact the appropriate municipality: City of Vaughan: (905) 832-2281; Town of Georgina: (905) 722-3059; Town of Newmarket: (905) 895-5193; Town of Richmond Hill: (905) 771-5507; Town of Aurora: (905) 726-4762; and Town of Markham: (905) 477-0117.

For more information about York Region’s vibrant music and cultural offerings, contact York Tourism at 1-888-448-0000, e-mail tourism@york.ca or visit www.yorktourism.com or www.york.ca

 

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Contact:  Megan Bomberry, Corporate Communications Services, York Region

(905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, ext. 1234

                        Email: megan.bomberry@york.ca