Three popular festivals in Elgin county have received a financial shot in the arm from the local tourism association.

Port Stanley Harbour Fest, Rosy Rhubarb Festival in Shedden and Straffordville Watermelon Fest will receive 2-thousand dollars each from Elgin-St. Thomas Tourism.

Spokeswoman Kathryn Russell says this is the third year the city and county will provide three separate contributions of 2-thousand dollars to groups that take it upon themselves to organize the events.

Russell says the applicants met marketing plan goals of increasing the number of visitors, their duration of stay and boosting the amount of money spent in the Elgin-St.Thomas area.