Blyth Festival hits 50th anniversary fundraising goal
Blyth Memorial Hall, July 2023 (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Blyth Festival, the theatre group wanted to raise $500,000 towards its future artistic endeavours.
On Friday, they surpassed that goal, reaching $510,000 raised, since a matching program launched earlier this year.
The centerpiece of the fundraising effort, was a $250,000 pledge from the Margaret and Andrew Stephens Family Foundation, based in Canmore, Alberta.
That pledge was triggered, once another $250,000 was raised by other donors. 250 people stepped up to raise $260,000, helping the Blyth Festival surpass their half million dollar goal.
“Our donors give according to their means, and we’re grateful for every gift, no matter the size,” said the Blyth Festival’s Artistic Director, Gil Garratt. “It is particularly moving that so many have chosen to support us on our 50th anniversary, sending a clear message that the Festival’s work has tremendous value to them.”
Garratt says the influx of funding will help the Blyth Festival develop more new Canadian plays. Five of the six plays on the Blyth Festival stages this summer are World Premieres.
To mark the fundraising goal, the Blyth Memorial Hall stage has been renamed the Margaret Stephens Stage. A dedication ceremony marking the name change happens this weekend in Blyth, during Bonanza Weekend, where all six Blyth plays can be seen over the course of the weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
Singh challenged on carbon tax stance as MPs return to Ottawa
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still won't say whether his party would scrap the federal carbon pricing program if elected, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is increasing his calls for the NDP to vote non-confidence in the Liberals and trigger a 'carbon tax election.'
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Pipeline explosion near Houston erupts in a towering flame, forcing evacuations
A pipeline explosion near Houston erupted in a towering flame over neighbourhoods for hours on Monday, forcing evacuations and shelter orders and melting playground equipment as firefighters struggled to keep nearby homes from burning.
Rebooked your flight? Here are your options after Air Canada reached a tentative deal with its pilots
Air Canada is offering passengers the option to change flights back. Here's what you need to know.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
