TORONTO, May 2, 2014 /CNW/ - Doors Open Ontario 2014 is just around the corner! The season officially kicks off on May 3 with events in four communities – Guelph, Peterborough, Whitby and Hamilton.
Every year from May to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, industrial areas, green buildings, heritage gardens and other interesting venues – some of which are rarely accessible to the public. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations – all free of charge!
Trails Open 2014 – supported by TD Bank Group – features special tours and activities to showcase Ontario's breathtaking natural heritage along thousands of kilometres of walking, hiking and cycling trails.
Visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca for detailed event information, highlights and site details. The website also offers interactive tools to help users plan their Doors Open Ontario experience – social networking tools to share information with friends and family, a "My Favourites" feature to help create a travel itinerary and keep track of favourite sites, and a quick links tool to help narrow site searches.
Doors Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust, with funding support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, and TD Bank Group.
QUOTES
"Through our agency, the Ontario Heritage Trust, our government is proud to help make Ontario's rich heritage and historical sites open and accessible to the public. Doors Open Ontario is an exciting opportunity to share and celebrate our unique identity and vibrant cultural landscapes. I encourage people in communities across the province to explore and experience Ontario's hidden heritage treasures."
— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
"The Ontario Heritage Trust is pleased to present Doors Open Ontario, now in its 13th year. The theme for 2014, Remembering the First World War: Ontario in transition, recognizes that the people of Ontario were profoundly impacted by this conflict in meaningful and measurable ways. Venues such as armouries, Legion halls and war memorials play a vital role in fostering a sense of the impact of the war. I do hope that you will take the time to experience these and other interesting sites that are participating in the Doors Open program for 2014!"
— Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman, Ontario Heritage Trust
QUICK FACTS
- Doors Open Ontario 2014 features hundreds of communities participating in 49 events across the province.
- Two new communities have joined Doors Open Ontario this year – Wellington North and Trails Open London.
- Nine out of 10 Ontarians live in a community that has hosted a Doors Open Ontario event.
- In total, nearly 5 million visits have been made to 5,150 Doors Open Ontario sites since the program's launch in 2002.
- Visitors to Doors Open Ontario events have spent over $45 million to support local economies.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about Doors Open Ontario 2014 and the Doors Open Ontario 2014 photo contest, and search for participating communities.
Doors Open Ontario 2014 calendar of events
| Community Name |
Date |
| Guelph |
May 3 |
| Peterborough |
May 3 |
| Whitby |
May 3 |
| Hamilton |
May 3-4 |
| Richmond Hill |
May 10 |
| Orillia |
May 24 |
| Brockville-Thousand Islands |
May 24-25 |
| Toronto |
May 24-25 |
| Owen Sound |
May 31-June 1 |
| Stratford |
June 7 |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville |
June 7 |
| Huronia |
June 7-8 |
| Northumberland |
June 7-8 |
| Ottawa |
June 7-8 |
| Smiths Falls |
June 8 |
| Clarington |
June 14 |
| NEW! Trails Open London |
June 14-15 |
| Fergus-Elora |
June 21 |
| Kingston |
June 21 |
| Lambton County |
June 21-22 |
| Aurora |
August 16 |
| Gravenhurst |
August 16-17 |
| Headwaters |
August 16-17 |
| Thunder Bay |
September 6 |
| Haliburton |
September 6-7 |
| Kawartha Lakes |
September 7 |
| Bay of Quinte |
September 13 |
| Huron County |
September 13-14 |
| Middlesex |
September 13-14 |
| Perth |
September 20 |
| Port Stanley-Sparta |
September 20 |
| Waterloo Region |
September 20 |
| Haldimand County |
September 21 |
| Ajax |
September 27 |
| Burlington |
September 27 |
| Grimsby |
September 27 |
| Markham |
September 27 |
| Mississauga |
September 27 |
| Muskoka Lakes |
September 27 |
| Parry Sound |
September 27 |
| Walkerton and Area |
September 27 |
| NEW! Wellington North |
September 27 |
| Gananoque |
September 27-28 |
| Halton Region |
September 27-28 |
| London |
September 27-28 |
| Oshawa |
September 27-28 |
| Windsor |
September 27-28 |
| Bradford-West Gwillimbury |
October 4 |
| St. Thomas |
October 18 |
The Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.
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SOURCE: Ontario Heritage Trust
Niya Bajaj, 416-325-5074 or [email protected].
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