press
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Press Release - For Immediate Release
August 11, 2025
Funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation helps Cultivate Community see the future as bright.
Port Hope, ON - Cultivate Community Non Profit Services has been the recipient of a series of grants and sponsorships that have made the re-emergence of the organization possible, and the future even brighter.
In 2022, Cutivate Community received a Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities grant for $27,300 for the planning and development of a strategic fundraising plan, organizational training and the technology needed to help implement the plan.
The consultant Cultivate Community hired, Capacity for Community, is locally based, which made this funding even more valuable.
“Being able to go through this process and come out the other side with a comprehensive plan is amazing. To be able to do that with a local expert and keep some of that money in the community is even better” says Cultivate Community Executive Director, Jeff Bray.
The plan includes ten new revenue streams that will immediately be implemented by Cultivate’s Development Committee, highlighted by applying for charitable status, amongst others.
Bray adds, “As we consider the future of Cultivate, this plan perfectly lays out how we can build organizational capacity, our reputation in the community and add a fundamental fundraising ability that is a must for all non-profit organizations. I am so grateful to OTF for this opportunity, and I am excited to show off what will come from it”
Cultivate Community is committed to presenting world class arts and culture to our community and is tremendously grateful to those who support our mission of actively strengthening the community by engaging local citizens in the discovery and celebration of arts and culture via grassroots leadership, creative partnerships and innovative artistic programming.
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For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Jeff Bray – Executive Director
Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
647-631-7117 – info@cultivatefestival.ca
For Immediate Release
Free concert series in Downtown Port Hope returns this summer.
What: The Road to Cultivate Concert Series is back and better than ever! Live in Memorial Park every Thursday in July and August between 6-8pm.
The Road to Cultivate is a FREE, family friendly evening out featuring live music on the historic bandshell, Cultivate Kids programming, a marketplace, and much more.
The nine show series is a kick off to the Cultivate Festival which happens September 20-22 at Haute Goat Farm.
Presented by Cultivate Festival, the series will feature some of Canada’s top touring musicians like Juno award winning blues group, Blue Moon Marquee as well as some great americana and rockabilly with Nicolette & The Nobodies, Nicholas Campbell and and Nickola Magnolia. Plus local acts such as Harry Hannah, Cale Crowe and Steáfán & Saskia!
This year, Cultivate partnered with the Be Walton campaign to help bring more exciting programming to Downtown Port Hope during the big dig. As a result, you can head out to a participating venue after every concert for the official after party starting at 8:30 p.m.
This free concert series is made possible by the support of granting partners Ontario Creates, Canadian Heritage, The Municipality of Port Hope and FACTOR.
Schedule
July 11th - CJ Wiley and Blue Hazel
July 18th - Blue Moon Marquee and Nickola Magnolia
July 25th - Harry Hannah and guests
August 1st - Nicolette & The Nobodies and Cale Crowe
August 8th - Nicholas Campbell and Luke Wallace
August 15th - Polky and Steáfán & Saskia
August 22nd - Port Hope Jazz fest night with Joy Lapps - Cultivate and Port Hope Jazz Fest teamed up to present Juno award winner Joy Lapps, The award-winning instrumentalist of Antiguan and Barbudan descent who treats the steelpan as a tool for engagement, anchoring her artistry in a profound, community-centered musical tradition.
August 29th - Kazdoura and Lo & the High Road
This programing happens every week at the Road To Cultivate:
- Fluke Craft will be on-site every week with some incredible ongoing collaborative Cultivate Kids community artwork that will culminate in an installation at Cultivate Festival!
- SONG will be hosting the SONG Family Drum Circle, an all ages drum circle every week at 6 p.m.
- Port Hope Maker's Market presents the Market at Memorial Park . A vendor and artisan market that gets underway every Thursday starting at 3:30.
Quotes:
- “I am so happy to see The Road To Cultivate back again this year. It’s a ton of effort, but so worth it. The highlights of my summer are Thursday nights! I love seeing all the smiling faces. Everyone comes to have a great time. It’s an honour to be able to give a gift like this to our amazing community. And this year will be the best one yet. With all the new programming, it’s gonna be like 9 mini festivals!” Jeff Bray - Executive Director, Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
- “With the big dig going on downtown Port Hope, it’s more important that ever to get down there and support the small business. Grab some food and come for a picnic! The Road To Cultivate is the perfect venue for that” - Jeff Bray - Executive Director, Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
- “We’re creating something great,” says Langford. “And with the free concert series, we’re hoping tourists will start their long weekends off on Thursday. It will very much be worth the drive from Toronto!” Signe Langford - Port Hope Maker’s Market Founder
Head here to stay up to date and to see the weekly schedule
Mission: Cultivate Community actively strengthens regional communities by engaging local citizens in the discovery and celebration of arts and culture via grassroots leadership, creative partnerships and innovative artistic programming.
Their flagship, award winning, event, Cultivate Festival, arrived on the scene in 2015 and has been growing with the community ever since. Built on the values of sustainability, equity and inclusion, Cultivate Festival prides itself on celebrating what's happening in our own big backyard in a world class way.
This year’s festival will take place over the weekend of September 20-22nd at Haute Goat Farm. This concert series is The Road To Cultivate.
For more information, artist interviews, or images, please contact Jeff Bray:
info@cultivatefestival.ca or call 647.631.7117.
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For Immediate Release
Aysanabee heats up Hibernate Festival this Family Day weekend.
The second annual Hibernate Festival returns four days of live music, arts, crafts and community in downtown Port Hope!
Kicking off on the evening of Friday February 16th, Aysanabee will play the stunning Port Hope United Church. He has enjoyed an incredible 18 months that saw him short-listed for the 2023 Polaris Prize, win three 2023 Summer Solstice Indigenous Music Awards for Artistic Video, Pop/Alternative/Rock Album of the Year, and Rising Star, win of the 2023 Jim Beam Indie Award for Indigenous Artist of the Year, and win of a 2023 Canadian Live Music Award for New Touring Artist of the Year.
A multi-instrumentalist who is Oji-Cree, Sucker Clan of the Sandy Lake First Nation, a remote fly-in community in the far reaches of Northwestern Ontario has had many accomplishments in his young career including a nomination for a 2023 JUNO Award for Contemporary Indigenous Group or Artist of the Year and also performed at the awards ceremony. He became the first Indigenous artist to hit Number 1 on Mediabase Canada's Alternative Rock chart (March 2023) and his single “Nomads” (August 2022) charted on Billboard Canada, reached #1 on CBC Music and #1 on the Alternative Radio Chart.
His debut album, Watin (Nov 2022), named after his grandfather, includes 10 tracks and nine interludes featuring the voice of his grandfather that combines music and journalism with artistry and expression. “Watin actually started out as a series of conversations between myself and my grandfather,” says Aysanabee. “We spent the first year of the pandemic talking about things we’ve never spoken about, his life on the trapline on Sandy Lake First Nation, falling in love, his life in residential school and then leaving everything behind…we never spoke of it until now. Even though we were over 1,000 kilometres apart, it was probably the closest we’ve ever been.”
Aysanabee be kicking off a wonderful weekend filled with live music from other Canadian artists including ticketed shows with alt-folk icons Elliott Brood, contemporary PEI trad trailblazers Inn Echo as well as free shows throughout downtown Port Hope featuring Mattie Leon, Good Fortune, Mimi O’Bonsawin, Melissa Payne, Benj Rowland, Moskitto Bar, Irish Millie and many more.
The multi-venue celebration also features creative arts programming engaging people of all ages in poetry, songwriting, dance, crafting, print-making and much more.
Family Day free programming will consist of a pop-up choir, a performance by Shania Twink, an all-queen Shania Twain cover band and a downtown scavenger hunt, just to name a few.
Hibernate Festival is a multi venue festival consisting of ticketed and free programming. In the spirit of Family Day weekend, everything is free for kids 18!
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Unique Info:
- Tickets, schedule and more information cultivatefestival.ca/hibernate-festival-2024
- Saturday February 17th is dedicated to free live music at Ganaraska Brewing Company and the Beamish House Pub
- Sunday February 18th is dedicated to arts, crafts and community programming throughout multiple venues in Downtown Port Hope
- Family Day activities will be a mixture of activities and entertainment
- Grab Hibernate Festival eats from restaurants and cafes across Downtown Port Hope
- Hibernate is made possible because of the support from the Municipality of Port Hope, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Creates, the TD Ready commitment and many local sponsors
Quotes:
- “We’re so excited to have Hibernate back in downtown Port Hope this Family Day weekend! The town comes alive and winter blues are left behind. As a dad of two young kids, I am certain this is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday weekend.” Jeff Bray - Executive and Festival Director - Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
- “Port Hope is a happening place in all seasons,” says Jeannie Maidens, Special Event Coordinator for the Municipality of Port Hope. “Yet there is something very special about the vibe downtown. The atmosphere is created through the combination of our welcoming array of restaurants, patios and shops, the live music, and seeing folks connecting outdoors – it’s beautiful! – and there is so much to explore and enjoy you might just need the whole weekend!” Jeannie Maidens, Special Event Coordinator for the Municipality of Port Hope
Mission: Port Hope based Cultivate Community actively strengthens regional communities by engaging local citizens in the discovery and celebration of arts and culture via grassroots leadership, creative partnerships and innovative artistic programming.
Their flagship, award winning, event, Cultivate Festival, arrived on the scene in 2015 and has been growing with the community ever since. Built on the values of sustainability, equity and inclusion, Cultivate prides itself on celebrating what's happening in our own big backyard in a world class way. They also present the Road To Cultivate, a free summer concert series in July and August.
For more information, interviews, or images, please contact Jeff Bray:
info@cultivatefestival.ca or call 647.631.7117.
Press Release - For Immediate Release
April 26th, 2023
Funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation helps Cultivate Community see the future as bright.
Port Hope, ON - Cultivate Community Non Profit Services has been the recipient of a series of grants and sponsorships that have made the re-emergence of the organization possible, and the future even brighter.
In 2022, Cutivate Community received a Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities grant for $27,300 for the planning and development of a strategic fundraising plan, organizational training and the technology needed to help implement the plan.
The consultant Cultivate Community hired, Capacity for Community, is locally based, which made this funding even more valuable.
“Being able to go through this process and come out the other side with a comprehensive plan is amazing. To be able to do that with a local expert and keep some of that money in the community is even better” says Cultivate Community Executive Director, Jeff Bray.
The plan includes ten new revenue streams that will immediately be implemented by Cultivate’s Development Committee, highlighted by applying for charitable status, amongst others.
Bray adds, “As we consider the future of Cultivate, this plan perfectly lays out how we can build organizational capacity, our reputation in the community and add a fundamental fundraising ability that is a must for all non-profit organizations. I am so grateful to OTF and MPP David Paccini for this opportunity, and I am excited to show off what will come from it”
Cultivate Community is committed to presenting world class arts and culture to our community and is tremendously grateful to those who support our mission of actively strengthening the community by engaging local citizens in the discovery and celebration of arts and culture via grassroots leadership, creative partnerships and innovative artistic programming.
.
###
For Media Inquiries Please Contact:
Jeff Bray – Executive Director
Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
647-631-7117 – info@cultivatefestival.ca
Cultivate festival Access Notes
Parking & Distances
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General Parking: 200–800 ft from front gate
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Accessible Parking:
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10 spaces available
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50–300 ft from front gate
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Located on east side of main driveway
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Access runs from top of driveway to the bottom
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Distances:
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Front Gate → Main Stage accessible seating: ~200 ft
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Main Stage accessible seating → Screaming Goat Café accessible washrooms: ~200 ft
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Main Stage accessible seating → Alpaca Stage accessible seating: ~500 ft
Washrooms
Accessible washrooms located at:
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Screaming Goat Café (press + turn lock, no button) – 100 ft from front gate
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Front Gate (portable toilet) – 0 ft from front gate
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Beside Quonset Hut (portable toilet) – 250 ft from front gate
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Camping Area (portable toilet) – 650 ft from front gate
Comfort & Support
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Rest chairs available throughout the grounds
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Picnic tables throughout, with options for wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers
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Sensory Support: Time & Space tent in Cultivate Kids Area for breaks
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Assistance: Volunteers in pink or black shirts available to help on request
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Supports: Sound-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets available to borrow at the Time & Space tent
Time & Space Sensory Yurt
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Setup: Inside yurt (3 steps up) in Cultivate Kids Area
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Terrain: Rough / uneven ground
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Distance from front gate: ~400 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~100 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Breastfeeding Spaces
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Setup: Inside yurt (3 steps up) in Cultivate Kids Area
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Terrain: Rough / uneven ground
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Distance from front gate: ~350 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~75 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Service Animal Relief
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Setup: Outside main gate, under a tree
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Terrain: Rough / uneven ground
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Distance from front gate: ~10 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~10 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Screaming Goat Café
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Entrance: Accessible, via gravel walkway up a slight slope
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Terrain: Concrete
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Shade: Covered patio with shaded seating
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Distance from front gate: ~100 ft
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Washroom: Accessible (no button; press + turn lock)
Main Stage
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Setup: Open space on natural amphitheatre; stage at bottom of hill
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Terrain: Rough ground with slight slope
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Accessible Seating: Covered seating at top of hill, reserved for access needs
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Distance from front gate: ~200 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~200 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Alpaca Stage
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Setup: 40’ x 80’ tent
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Terrain: Grassy, uneven ground
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Accessible Seating: Stage right, beside sound booth
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General Seating: Chairs and tables available (some wheelchair/walker accessible)
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Distance from front gate: ~500 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~250 ft (Quonset Hut portable toilet)
Art Hive
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Setup: 20’ x 20’ tent
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Seating: Chairs and tables available
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Terrain: Grassy, uneven ground
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Distance from front gate: ~50 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~100 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Academy
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Setup: Exposed viewing area
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Terrain: Grassy, uneven ground
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Accessible Seating: Shaded area under maple tree; chairs available
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Distance from front gate: ~10 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~75 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Cultivate Kids Area
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Setup: Open space adjacent to Screaming Goat Café patio (with seating)
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Terrain: Rough / uneven ground around fire pit
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Shade: Shady spots available
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Washrooms: Not accessible (3 steps up)
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Supports: Headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets available at Front Gate
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Closest accessible toilet: ~75 ft (Screaming Goat Café)
Camping
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Terrain: Rough, grassy, or gravel surfaces
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Shade: No shaded areas
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Distance from front gate: ~650 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: ~10–200 ft (Camping Area portable toilet)
Trailer Camping
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Terrain: Gravel
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Distance from front gate: 100–350 ft
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Closest accessible toilet: 100–350 ft (Front Gate portable toilet)
Accessibility Feedback
Feedback regarding the accessibility of Cultivate Community programs, services, facilities, goods, employment opportunities, and the way in which Cultivate employees and volunteers interact with others is welcome and appreciated.
Feedback can be provided:
- By filling out this online form (anonymous)
- By calling 647-631-7117
- By emailing info@cultivatefestival.ca
- Download this form and mail it to:
Cultivate Community Non Profit Services
5 Bramley St. North, Port Hope L1A 3K7
Notable info
IDEA Squad
If there's anything you need - the I.D.E.A squad can help. Find a volunteer in a red shirt, and they will sort you out.
Access survey
We want to hear from you about any accessibility needs or concerns you may have for the Festival. Click below to fill out a quick survey.
time and space Sensory tent
What is a Time and Space sensory tent? The Time and Space Sensory tent is located at the back end of the Cultivate Kids area. This air conditioned yurt is a quiet place for families/kids to take a break from the festival and self regulate through quiet play activities like: sand play, colouring, play-doh, reading and fidgets. Thanks to Enbridge for helping us make this happen!
emergency services
St. John's Ambulance will be on site for any emergency (and non-emergency) issues that may come about. They are centrally located for easy access.
parking
Parking is on-site and free. Accessible parking is noted on the site map.
site map
Check out our great site map designed by longtime firend of Cultivate, CTON. You can download it here and many will be printed on site.
Haute Goat Farm
200 acres of stunning landscapes, complete with farm animals, trails, a cafe, 18 hole disc golf course, farm experiences and more. The perfect feel good venue for the perfect feel good festival!
FAQs
You've Got Cultivate Questions? We've Got The Answers!
Cultivate Festival takes place on September 26 - 28 at Haute Goat Farm, rural Port Hope.
Friday - 5 - 9:30 P.M.
Saturday - 11 A.M. - 9:30 P.M.
Sunday - 11 A.M. - 5 P.M.
Sign up for the Good News Report
Sign up for Cultivate Community’s newsletter and get early access to festival lineups, free event invites, behind-the-scenes artist stories, and ways to support accessible, grassroots arts in your community. No spam — just music, magic, and moments that matter.