Festivals and Events

Learn more about hosting your special event or activities on Norfolk County's streets, sidewalks, parks, or other public spaces.

Introduction

Whether it's a parade, race, walk, block party, or a major festival, these celebrations can benefit everyone involved. To ensure everything runs smoothly, please remember that all events on municipal property or those needing municipal services require a Special Event Permit.

Accessibility

All Norfolk County Special Events should be planned with accessibility in mind, and event organizers should consider that people with various disabilities might attend their event.

Application

Application preparation should start at least three months before the planned event date.

Complete an Online Outdoor Special Event application package

Supporting documents can be emailed to special.events@norfolkcounty.ca, or mailed or dropped off at:

County Administration Building
Attention: Corporate Services Generalist
50 Colborne Street South
Simcoe, Ontario N3Y 4H3

Additional application forms

Business License Application Form
Display Fireworks Special Event Application Form (PDF)
If food and/or beverages are served, sold or offered, a Special Event Application Package must be completed and returned with your package.

Request for Municipal Significance or No Objection

If you are not a registered charity, non-profit association or organization for the advancement of a charitable, educational, religious or community objects, as a person or group (i.e. promoter, for-profit business) you may apply for a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) if the event is designated by the municipality as one of municipal significance. Review the Municipal Significance By-law.

A municipal designation may take the form of a resolution of Council or a letter from Council’s authorized designate (e.g. municipal Clerk) on municipal letterhead stating that the municipality deems the event as one that is significant for the community. While a particular event may receive a designation from the municipality, the Registrar ultimately decides if the necessary criteria have been met for a SOP to be issued.

As part of the request process, a detailed sketch showing the dimensions of the area the permit will apply to and the locations of tents and seating that will be used must be uploaded. Please review the AGCO Special Occasion Guide, Sections 7 and 8, by visiting agco.ca.

Please allow three (3) weeks for circulation and processing.

To request your event be designated as an event of municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining a SOP please complete a request.

Exemptions

When a proposed event takes place only on designated sports fields and/or facilities or when the proposed event would take place only in a picnic shelter (having a maximum of 200 participants), the fields and/or facilities are to be booked directly through Facility Rentals (without processing a Special Events Permit), except for a beer garden event.

Resources

Outdoor Special Events Policy

Outdoor Special Event Policy.

Special events resource manual

This resource manual guides special event organizers in planning their activities. It identifies the permits and approvals required by Norfolk County and other organizations, such as the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and O.P.P., which may have input regarding the event's operations.