Fort York Annual Events (Trinity-Niagara)

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of Recommendation (1) of the following report (March 12, 1999) from the Managing Director, Heritage Toronto.

The Committee reports, for the information of Council, having referred Recommendation (2) of this report to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for consideration and report back to the Committee.

Recommendations:

(1)That City Council provide Heritage Toronto with standing authority to enter into agreements with event holders in order to enhance the public profile and revenue base for Fort York, providing that the agreements contain the following terms and conditions:

(a)the event holder shall provide insurance in a form and amount satisfactory to the City of Toronto's Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;

(b)the event holder shall agree to indemnify the Heritage Toronto and the city of Toronto with respect to all claims, costs or liabilities which the Board or the City may suffer or incur arising from the granting of permission and the holding of the event;

(c)the event holder shall agree to pay to the Heritage Toronto the required rental fee, damage deposit, staffing and equipment costs approved by the Board's Managing Director;

(d)the event holder shall agree to release Heritage Toronto and the City of Toronto from liability in the case that the event does not proceed due to any cause including court order which is beyond the control of the board and the City of Toronto;

(e)the event holder shall agree to comply with all applicable laws and city of Toronto By-laws, including the Noise By-law; and

(f)such other terms and conditions as the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Managing Director, may be required as necessary to protect the interest of the Board and the City.

(2)That City Council authorize Heritage Toronto to enter into a 3-year agreement with Cottage Creek to allow the holding of the following events:

(i)Children's Festival, a one-day event to be held each June;

(ii)Toronto's Annual Festival of Beer, a 3-day event to be held each August; and

(iii)Chili tasting Festival (or similar event), dates to be decided.

Purpose:

To receive Council approval to host a series of annual special events at Fort York.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Not applicable.

Background:

Each year, Heritage Toronto receives a number of proposals from persons requesting to hold events at fort York. In keeping with Heritage Toronto's strategy to provide events that are high profile, complementary to the Fort's historic interpretative programme and revenue generating, Heritage Toronto proposes to enter into agreements with event holders to host a series of annual special events such as those listed below.

Third Annual Fort York Festival - Victoria Day weekend

The Fort York Festival, hosted by the Friends of Fort York, includes military battle re-enactments, military music, encampments, country dancing, musket drill, blacksmithing.

Chili Tasting Festival (or similar festival) - Date to be decided.

Children's Festival

This is a one-day event with children's performers and other family activities.

Annual Stardust Ball featuring Blue Rodeo - July 10-11, 1999.

Guy Fawkes Celebration

Annual Event hosted by the St. George's Society.

Toronto's Annual Festival of Beer - August

This is a 3-day event that focuses around the history and traditions of beer and includes tastings from beverage recipes prepared at the Fort 200 years ago. Local restaurants will supply food using beer recipes. There will be live music, guest speakers and information sessions.

Discussion:

The Fort York Festival, Annual Stardust Ball and Annual Festival of Beer and Guy Fawkes Celebration have been held at the Fort successfully for the past 3 years. Council endorsed all of the events for 1998. Rather than asking for Council's approval each year, Heritage Toronto is now asking for standing authority to hold these types of events under the conditions described.

Heritage Toronto is also requesting permission to enter into a 3-year agreement with Cottage Creek Company to hold The Chili Tasting Festival ( or similar style event), Children's Festival and Toronto's Festival of Beer. Cottage Creek has worked successfully with Heritage Toronto as an event holder over the past 3 years to develop, promote and stage Toronto's Annual Festival of Beer. The Chili Tasting Festival and Children's Festival are two new concepts being developed by Cottage Creek Company.

Contact:

Karen Black

Director, Marketing and Programming

Toronto Historical Board

205 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1N2

(416) 392-6827, ext. 224