Oshawa music festival wins Ontario economic development cultural award [Video]

TALK! at Convergence Festival 2024. Photo Glenn Hendry

Thinking big while staying authentic to the city’s roots and culture has been the secret to success for Oshawa’s Convergence Festival, which has become one of Ontario’s most popular music and arts events in just two years.

The festival earned a prestigious EDCO Award for Inclusive Community-Based Initiative & Programming from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario, recognizing the record-breaking economic and cultural impact of the event, which takes over downtown Oshawa for one day in early September.

Convergence, a brainchild of Oshawa Tourism – a division of the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce – had its inaugural event on September 23, 2023 and was an instant hit with residents, as well as visitors who came from across the GTA and beyond to enjoy music (The Strumbellas closed out the show on the main stage), art, pro wrestling and all the pop culture you could squeeze in a few city blocks.

And all for free.

Last year’s event was even bigger, with an …