Founding Sponsors Message
Welcome To Our Website
Dear Friends,
Welcome to our website. As you explore this site, you will find it is full of valuable features and useful information for Musko-ka-Bana Mardi-Gras Street Party to be held at the beginning of August 2008 in Gravenhurst. Finally Caribbean Carnival is coming to small town Ontario! This is your chance to have PirateFest days and Caribbean nights.
We will have weekly updates to announce exciting new programs, events and activities; so I am sure this is your first of many visits.
Who spends their summers in Muskoka
Gravenhurst is the first town for visitors from the south to Muskoka. Muskoka is home to 60,000 residents and three times as many cottagers and visitors in the summer – many of them famous hockey players, movie stars, corporate executives and retirees many from Toronto and surrounding areas.
Why come to Gravenhurst on August 2nd 2008?
During the beautiful summers our local families and visitors are looking for peace and quiet, plenty of water, trees, rocks and natural surroundings but they also want to party especially on the first long weekend in August. In prior years the Town has attracted 5,000 people by boat, bike and car to watch the fireworks display at the waterfront. This year Musko-ka-Bana Mardi-Gras Street Party will supplement this with live award winning bands, Caribbean performers, cirque including aerial performers during the evening with room to fit 10,000 people at the Wharf events field. Come for the exciting performance before, during and after the fireworks!
PirateFest days and Caribbean nights
Musko-ka-Bana is having its first annual party of the year for families on August 2, 2008. Come and listen, dance to live Reggae and other Caribbean music, treasure hunt, play pirate for the day, take a trip on a pirate ship (RMS Segwun or Wehonah), stay up late to win prizes, shop till you drop and stay a little longer in Muskoka. Want to know the schedule click here>>>>
Partners
For a festival of this size we have founding sponsors, corporate and individual sponsors, volunteers and several other groups including the Town of Gravenhurst, Muskoka Wharf Committee and the Gravenhurst BIA. Thank you also to the dedicated volunteers for devoting the time and energy necessary to organize a large and creative festival. Want to become a sponsor or volunteer click here>>>>
Why have Musko-ka-bana?
Gravenhurst’s economy is still recovering from the large job losses in the early 1990’s and one of the initiatives is the $100 million development of the Muskoka Wharf. We now have a great events field and surrounding shops and facilities. We are determined to restore our town to its former vibrancy – you can help by coming and enjoying a day at the Wharf and downtown shopping. Even better come the night before for an early start and stay over on Saturday night so you don’t miss the late night outdoor music festival. Want somewhere to stay click here>>>
Where is Gravenhurst?
The Town of Gravenhurst, with is 10,000 inhabitants, is the gateway to the beautiful Muskoka region of Ontario for over 100 years. This idyllic Muskoka community is situated only 163 kilometers or about 100 miles north of Toronto. It offers great lakes, great outdoors, starlit nights, easy access by road, rail and air.
History of Gravenhurst
It was back in 1861 that Gravenhurst actually became a town when it established its first post office. Back then, the first settlers in the area and although tourism was only in its infancy, it was clear that the beauty of the lakes and forests made this place special.
Today the legacy of Gravenhurt's industrial roots are still visible with old homesteads, refurbished historic lodges, old remnant mills, railroad lines now converted to multi-use hiking trails and historic steamships used for tourist cruises. It's here in Gravenhurst that the visitor begins to see and feel the unique spirit of this special place often thought of only as a summer cottage destination when in fact it is a busy place year round for all kinds of outdoor activities and festivals.
Thank you
We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners the Town of Gravenhurst for providing the free fireworks, Boston Pizza for sponsoring the free water sports show, the BIA for organizing the downtown events, The Muskoka Wharf Board for the Pirate Fest during the day and Mystic Rhythm Music under the direction of Terry Cowan for organizing the evening entertainment, live bands and Circe performers. We would also like to extend a special thank you to the local business owners and other corporate sponsors who have provided the initial funding to make Musko-ka-Bana happen.
We would like to thank all citizens, businesses and organizations for supporting our festival in a variety of ways. I encourage and challenge all community groups and businesses to re-establish old traditions, continue current traditions and establish new traditions by becoming actively involved as a sponsor, volunteering or organizing, planning and running of an activity/event.
We owe the people of this community no less than our best efforts to make sure this festival – their festival – remains a part of the local fabric long into the future.
We are looking forward to seeing you, your family and friends at the 2008 Musko-ka-Bana Mardi-Gras Street Party
Stuart Morley Terry Cowan