A Look Back on What We Achieved Together in 2024
What a year, Bronte! Here’s a snapshot of what we achieved together in 2024:
Bronte welcomed 20 new businesses; including The Marine Tavern, Squisha Vintage & Thrift, Prominent Realty Inc. Brokerage, Big Bam Burgers & Shakes, Deka Lash, La Bodega, Top Tiers Fades & Kicks, 1998 Nails Bar, Lisa Wellness, Makal’s Barbershop, Beauty Destination and Apothecary of Crystals.
Year three of our Community Investment Program ran with 11 participating groups, including the Oakville Public Library, CCAH, BLing Events International, Bronte Historical Society, PRISM Halton, Bandology, Oakvillegreen, OFFA, Oakville Wind Orchestra and the Bronte Legion.
Our BIA hosted, coordinated and/or directly sponsored 75 days of events & activations in 2024 – an 87% increase since we launched the Community Investment Program in 2022 and a 15% increase from last year.
Our 8th annual At Home in Bronte Muskoka Chair project returned to its community-focused approach; 60 new chairs were installed along the waterfront on May 24. BUM Outdoor Furniture generously sponsored the project.
The first-ever Bronte Farmers’ Market ran for eight Sundays in July and August and welcomed 45+ vendors, 2 musical guests and an average of 2,500 visitors weekly.
A new pollinator garden/art canoe was displayed under the sails in Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park – a collaboration between Arthouse Halton and Oakvillegreen and managed/coordinated by the BIA.
The Bronte BIA won the Visit Oakville Tourism Excellence Award at the 2024 Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE).
We exceeded our 2024 fundraising/sponsorship goal by 160% and obtained a Canada Summer Jobs grant to fund the employment of our Summer Tourism Coordinator and a $72,000 My Main Street Community Activator Grant for a high-impact placemaking project in Bronte Market Square.
We funded and produced 25,000 copies of the Look Local Bronte Summer guide, which were distributed across Halton Region in July & August.
The 2nd annual Bronte Block Party marked the official kickoff of Culture Days in Oakville and welcomed 8,000+ visitors for a day of art, dancing, music and games.
We developed a new Strategic Plan – Focus 2026 – which paints a picture of who we are, what we care about, what we aspire to be and the vision, mission and values that will help us get there.
The At Home in Bronte for the Holidays tree-lighting celebration took place on November 23 and included a holiday market on Lakeshore Rd W, a skating rink, live music, photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, a craft station and other family friendly activities. Over 5,000 visitors attended the celebration.
Bronte Market Square became the canvas for a new 800 square foot community co-created ground mural.
We continued our partnership with the Oakville Public Library through our ON THE GO Book Bike program, which is managed by the BIA.
We launched a line of Bronte apparel – t-shirts and sweatshirts – for people of all ages and all sizes.
We ran a 5-week Shop-to-Win $1000 Gift Card Giveaway Contest during the holiday season.
Bronte Heritage Waterfront Park was adorned with twinkle lights for the winter season, with plans to expand the décor next year and beyond.
Thank YOU for making Bronte Village a one-of-a-kind neighbourhood to live, work and visit. We’re grateful for all of the moments we shared this year. Cheers to 2024 and all the good things to come in 2025!