TORONTO, April 25, 2013 /CNW/ - Doors Open Ontario 2013 is just around the corner! The season officially kicks off on April 27 with events in two communities - Guelph and Prince Edward County.
Every year from April to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historic 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 and natural heritage sites will also take part. Participants can explore Ontario's breathtaking natural heritage along thousands of kilometres of walking, hiking and cycling trails, many of which will feature special tours and activities.
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.
QUOTES
"Our government is proud to partner with the Ontario Heritage Trust in making Ontario's historical buildings, structures, natural heritage sites and trails open and accessible. Growing year after year, Doors Open Ontario is an exciting opportunity to share and celebrate our unique shared identity and vibrant cultural landscape. I encourage people across the province to explore and experience all that Ontario's historical legacy has to offer."
— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
"The Ontario Heritage Trust is proud to present Doors Open Ontario, now in its 12th year. The theme for 2013, Cultural expressions, sheds light on the relationship between heritage and the arts. Venues such as theatres, opera houses, art galleries, studios and recital halls play a vital role in fostering a sense of creativity and pride in our communities. I do hope you will take the time to experience these and other interesting sites participating in this year's program!"
— Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman, Ontario Heritage Trust
QUICK FACTS
- Doors Open Ontario 2013 features hundreds of communities participating in 55 events across the province.
- Three new communities have joined Doors Open Ontario this year: Innisfil, Northumberland and Bradford West Gwillimbury.
- 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 different Doors Open Ontario sites since the program's launch in 2002.
- Visitors to Doors Open Ontario events have spent an estimated $39 million to support local economies.
LEARN MORE
Find out more about Doors Open Ontario 2013 and the Doors Open Ontario 2013 Art Contest, and search for participating communities.
Doors Open Ontario 2013 Calendar of Events
| Community Name | Date |
| Guelph | April 27 |
| Prince Edward County | April 27 |
| Innisfil NEW! | May 4 |
| Peterborough | May 4 |
| Whitby | May 4 |
| Hamilton | May 4-5 |
| Norfolk | May 11 |
| Richmond Hill | May 11 |
| Georgian Bay | May 19 |
| Brockville-Thousand Islands | May 25-26 |
| Kincardine | May 25-26 |
| Orillia | May 25-26 |
| Toronto | May 25-26 |
| Stratford | June 1 |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville | June 1 |
| Collingwood | June 1-2 |
| Northumberland NEW! | June 1-2 |
| Ottawa | June 1-2 |
| Owen Sound | June 1-2 |
| Clarington | June 8 |
| Smiths Falls | June 9 |
| South Muskoka | June 15-16 |
| Fergus and Elora | June 22 |
| Kingston | June 22 |
| Huntsville and Lake of Bays | June 29-30 |
| Aurora | August 17 |
| Hills of Headwaters | August 17-18 |
| Georgina | August 24 |
| Cornwall and the Counties | September 7-8 |
| Haliburton Highlands-Minden | September 7-8 |
| Kawartha Lakes | September 8 |
| East Elgin | September 14 |
| Quinte West | September 14 |
| Brant | September 21 |
| Haldimand County | September 21 |
| Port Stanley-Sparta | September 21 |
| Waterloo Region | September 21 |
| Amherstburg | September 28 |
| Belleville and District | September 28 |
| Burlington | September 28 |
| Champlain Township | September 28 |
| Markham | September 28 |
| Mississauga | September 28 |
| Newmarket | September 28 |
| Oshawa | September 28 |
| Parry Sound | September 28 |
| St. Marys | September 28 |
| Gananoque | September 28-29 |
| London | September 28-29 |
| Middlesex | September 28-29 |
| Vaughan | September 28-29 |
| Halton Hills | September 29 |
| Bradford West Gwillimbury NEW! | October 5 |
| Pickering | October 5 |
| Niagara (binational) | October 18-20 |
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
CONTACTS
For more information about Doors Open Ontario 2013, contact Liane Nowosielski at
416-325-5032 or [email protected].
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