Up Here 9 on the up and up thanks to overwhelming community support

To our cherished community,

We have some great news to share.

Over the past couple weeks, we faced unexpected challenges, but through your unwavering community support and the steadfast commitment of our partners, we are thrilled to share a remarkable turn of events. 

The outpouring of support that we’ve received from hundreds of you was, and still is, truly overwhelming. We’ve received over $8,000 in donations from people across the city.

Random Recipe performing at Family Day, Up Here 2018. Photo: Vanessa Tignanelli

We also want to acknowledge the support of the City and the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation in helping us find solutions to ensure that this year's festival is able to go ahead. The City’s inspired leadership and decisive action epitomize the community spirit at the heart of Up Here.

With these latest developments, we are thrilled to announce the return of several key elements of Up Here 9 programming that we were originally forced to scale back. 

We are so excited to announce that artist Katie Green will be coming to Sudbury next week to paint a mural at the back of 84 Station on Elgin. We were so bummed to have to cut her mural last week but are so frickin’ excited that she’s back. With gratitude for the vibrant legacy it holds, we'll be retiring Alexandra Mackenzie’s mural Naturer from 2015.

Our beloved art installations will once again be back on full display, enriching the festival experience with wonder, time weaving, and portal parties.

Finally, thanks to our community’s unshakeable generosity, we’ll be able to equitably pay crew members, our suppliers, and our contractors to continue to have a strong impact on our local economy that many local businesses and artists have come to depend on. 

As we move forward, we ask you to continue rallying by our side. We hope you’ll join us at the festival so we can thank you in person. Volunteer, host an artist, sponsor, buy tickets, spread the word, and contribute to our cause in whichever way works best for you. 

To our steadfast partners, sponsors, vendors, and supporters, your dedication is the cornerstone of our success. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your continuous belief in our vision.

And to you, our fellow believers in the magic of this festival, thank you for your understanding, your presence, and the wizardry you help us pull off, year after year. 

Thanks to you all, we are on the up and up.

Your friends at Up Here