Contributed photo: Creemore BIA solstice committee members, from left: Jeremy Mantesso, Creemore Village Green manager, Secretary Linda de Winter, Creemore 100 Mile Store, Treasurer Sara Hershoff, The Creemore Echo, and President Nancy Johnston, The Bank Cafe (front).

The Creemore Business Improvement Association (BIA) has been recognized by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) at the 2026 BIA Conference as one of 44 winners of its 2026 Awards.

The Certificate of Merit was awarded for outstanding work on the Summer Solstice event, which highlighted the board’s work in the Special Events category and was judged on five BIA pillars: innovation, replication, representation, outcome, and accessibility. A committee of BIA peers chose the Creemore BIA as particularly meritorious, demonstrating the creativity and resilience of small business owners.

Clearview Township Mayor Doug Measures said he is grateful for the Creemore BIA’srecognition

“Our Creemore BIA in Clearview Township is a significant and valued group of volunteers that really knows how to work together,” he said. “This award is recognition of the efforts of volunteers in our community.”

This year’s Summer Solstice event takes place June 19, on Mill Street in Creemore from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Activities include a community picnic, drum circle, line dancing and a concert with Shinia Twink at 7:30 p.m.

A cash bar helps pay for the event and donations are accepted. Money raised also helps with the beautification, maintenance, andpromotion of municipally-owned lands and commercial areas within the Creemore core.