By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
Council took the first step toward bringing the 2028 and 2030 Country Music Association of Ontario Festival and Awards to Chatham-Kent.
Council unanimously authorized spending up to $120,000 on the hosting rights fee for the two years, along with a maximum of $20,000 for marketing and event expenses, to host the two shows at its March 9 meeting.
Administration said the funding would come from the Together CK Reserve, which has been used in the past for major community-wide events.
If Chatham-Kent is successful with its bid, the CMA Ontario Festival and Awards will be held on June 2-4, 2028, and May 31-June 1, 2030.
The festival and awards would include three days of live music, concerts and activities throughout Chatham-Kent – along with an estimated economic spinoff of about $200,000 each year.
However, Chatham-Kent will be vying against several other municipalities across the province to host the CMA Ontario for those two years.
Shannon Paiva, CK Tourism Development, Economic Development and Tourism Services manager, said the Ontario CMA is looking for one municipality to host the awards program for both 2028 and ‘30.
“The way the program works, when making the proposal, we do have to apply for those two years; you can’t just make a one-year application,” said Shannon Paiva, CK Tourism Development, Economic Development and Tourism Services manager.
This year’s host, Mississauga, for example, also hosted the awards show in 2024.
Paiva said the first step would be a visit by a CMA Ontario official to assess sites suitable to host the awards show, as well as other venues for showcase events throughout the weekend.
The Capitol Theatre, the John D. Bradley Centre and the Kiwanis Theatre meet the criteria to host the awards show on Sunday, as each venue is fully accessible and has a minimum of 900 ticketed seats.
Paiva said local businesses will have the opportunity to apply to host showcase events, such as mini concerts and performances throughout the weekend in conjunction with the main CMA awards show.
She also said there would be opportunities for local musicians to perform at the off-site showcase events, provided they are officially associated with CMA Ontario as performers at the awards show.
Some of the weekend events will be free, but the awards show will require tickets.
Administration’s report showed that Chatham-Kent could see an estimated $200,000 in economic spinoffs each year for businesses, restaurants and hotels.
Last year, Hamilton reported an economic spinoff of $207,193 based solely on visitor spending for delegates and projected tourists, excluding spending by the CMAO for hotels, catering, venue rentals and staff.
In 2024, Mississauga reported $274,000 in economic spinoff.
Paiva said there is no timetable for when Chatham-Kent will learn of the CMA Ontario’s decision since several other communities will also be making bids.
Chatham-Kent has produced several successful country music artists, led by Michelle Wright, a multi-Canadian award-winning superstar.
Other local talent includes Blenheim’s Cassandra Vasik and folk singer Sylia Tyson in the 1960s.
There have been several one-time events the municipality has supported in recent years, including Rogers Hometown Hockey, the Grand Slam of Curling, the International Plowing Match, and the unveiling of the Fergie Jenkins Statue.
