BLOOR WEST VILLAGE TORONTO UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL NAMED ONE OF 2013 “TOP 100 FESTIVALS AND EVENTS” IN ONTARIO
(Toronto). The Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival has been named one of the 2013 “Top 100 Festivals and Events” by Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO), the provincial not-for-profit tourism association devoted to the growth of the festivals and events industry in Ontario.
Now in its 17th year, the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival (BWVTUF) has established itself as one of the premier Ukrainian festivals in North America, attracting audiences well in excess of 500,000 from across Canada, the US and abroad to its annual free, three-day street event.
The “Top 100” awards were presented at the closing gala of the FEO annual conference, “Celebrating Cultures,” in Mississauga on March 2. Submissions were received in the fall of 2012 and were reviewed by an independent panel of judges. Ontario is the setting for more than 5,000 events and festivals each year.
Also recognized by FEO was Olya Grod, BWVTUF vice-president and former volunteer executive director, who received a certificate for her many years of leadership.
The Festival’s founder and chair, Jurij Klufas, and its executive director, Sonia Holiad, were delegates at the FEO conference, which attracted some 350 festival and event planners from across Ontario for presentations and workshops with top industry professionals. BWVTUF personnel took part in an in-depth Crisis Management program that included certification in emergency first aid, CPR-C and the use of an automated external defibrillator.
The 2013 Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival will take place from Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 15 between Jane St. and Glendonwynne Rd. Highlights will include the crowd- pleasing parade, international and local performers, delicious food, an outdoor beer garden, cultural displays, a midway, a film festival, vendors and street dances.
The Festival is proud to be an event of the Bloor West Village Business Improvement Area and its chair is a member of the BWVBIA board. The Festival is also a member of Tourism Ontario, Festivals & Events Ontario, Attractions Ontario and SOCAN. Jurij Klufas, Festival chair, says his committee has worked diligently to develop a strong relationship with the City of Toronto. “The realization of this annual Festival is the result of an ambitious and intense effort and would not be possible without the gracious and generous help of sponsors, community partners, supporters, related associations and cultural organizations.”
For more about the Festival, please visit www.ukrainianfestival.com.
