(Brantford, Ontario) – A Government of Canada grant in the amount of $13,400 is helping the Brantford International Villages Festival to celebrate cultural diversity this summer.

Brant MP, Phil McColeman, announced the funding on behalf of The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

“Arts and culture are vital to our community,” said McColeman. “The Brantford International Villages Festival provides a great opportunity for friends and family to come together and celebrate our heritage.”

This year marks the 37th year for the Brantford International Villages Festival which runs from July 7 -10, 2010.

“We’re so glad we got funding,” said Pat Eyzenga, President of the Brantford International Villages Festival. “With everything being so expensive, this funding is going to help quite a bit.”

The funding is from the Government of Canada’s Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program.  The program was implemented in 2007 and provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that celebrate arts, culture, history and heritage.