Leathertown Festival Wins FEO Top 100 Award

Acton’s Leathertown Festival received a 2020 Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Top 100 Events in Ontario Award. The awards were given out on Thursday, February 27th during FEO’s Annual Conference “INNOVATE-Elevate-Enhance-Evolve” in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Criteria that factors into the decision to be named a Top 100 event include uniqueness of the event, audience appeal, economic impact to the community and overall quality of the event experience. According to a release from FEO, submissions from FEO members were received for consideration in the fall of 2019 and were judged by an independent panel of judges. Festivals and events of all kinds from every corner of Ontario were represented in the submissions – from community festivals to internationally recognized events. Leathertown Festival was first named ‘Back To Acton Days’ in 1977 when it started and was given its current name in 1992. Today, Leathertown Festival exists as a celebration of Canadian craftsmanship and a testament to Acton’s cultural heritage. 2020 marks the forty-third year of the event. “This is exciting news for our community and our festival” said Alex Hilson, Acton BIA Coordinator.“This award is a well-deserved nod towards the exceptional efforts put forward by the organizers and participants of this event over decades. I’d particularly like to thank our Event Coordinator, Kim Duncanson, who was instrumental in getting this award for our town”. Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) was established in 1987 as an association devoted to the growth and stability of the festival and event industry in Ontario. They run a conference, distribute a guide, promote festival suppliers’ good and run a recognition program which the Top 100 Festival & Events award is part of.