Ondo Govt Kicks Off Mare Festival in Idanre, Targets Tourism Growth

The Ondo State Government has announced the commencement of the Mare Festival, a major cultural and tourism event scheduled to hold from December 27 to 30 in Idanre, Ondo State.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Afolabi Adesoji, who said the festival would officially begin on Friday, with a series of cultural, tourism, and community-based activities lined up throughout the four-day celebration.
According to the statement, the Mare Festival is a flagship initiative of the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, implemented under the state’s OUR EASE Agenda. The festival is designed to showcase Ondo State’s rich cultural heritage while repositioning the iconic Idanre Hills as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria.
Adesoji noted that the event would bring together key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, government officials, culture enthusiasts, and members of the public, to celebrate the state’s cultural identity and promote tourism-driven economic development.
The commissioner extended an open invitation to invited guests and the general public to participate in what he described as a historic cultural celebration, urging residents and visitors to take part in the festivities and experience the unique cultural offerings of Idanre.
The Mare Festival is expected to further boost local tourism, enhance cultural preservation, and stimulate economic activities within Idanre and its surrounding communities.



