Family Traditions HOOT Returns to Sprucedale for Another Year of Music, Community and Giving

Founded by musician Tina Turley, the annual event continues a nearly two-decade tradition of helping local charities

What started as a simple desire to help others has grown into one of Muskoka's most beloved grassroots fundraising traditions.

The annual Family Traditions HOOT—short for "Help Out Our Town"—returns this June, bringing together musicians, volunteers, local businesses, families, and supporters for a weekend dedicated to community spirit and charitable giving.

Founded by local musician Tina Turley in 2006, the event has spent nearly two decades using the power of music to make a difference in the lives of others.

This year's HOOT will take place at 918 Second Avenue in Sprucedale, with camping beginning Friday, June 19 and the public event running Saturday, June 20 from 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The family-friendly gathering features live music, vendors, food, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw, and plenty of opportunities to connect with neighbours and friends.

For Turley, the HOOT has always been about more than entertainment.

Over the years, the fundraiser has supported a variety of local causes and organizations, continuing a tradition of community service that began long before the first HOOT was ever held. The event grew out of earlier fundraising efforts Turley organized with her father, helping local charities and families in need. After his passing, she envisioned a more family-oriented event that could bring people together while still supporting important community causes.

The event's success has always depended on an army of volunteers, sponsors, performers, and supporters. Musicians donate their time and talent, local businesses contribute silent auction items and sponsorships, and volunteers spend countless hours helping organize everything from parking and camping to sound production and event logistics.

In 2025, the HOOT celebrated its most successful year to date, raising $11,500 for the Survivor-to-Survivor Mentorship Program operated by Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services. Turley credited the achievement to the incredible generosity of everyone involved—from attendees and campers to sponsors, musicians, and volunteers.

Today, the Family Traditions HOOT stands as a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together around a common purpose. It's a place where local talent fills the air, friendships are strengthened, and every donation helps support worthwhile causes close to home.

As Turley often reminds supporters, the HOOT isn't just about putting on a great show—it's about helping out our town. And after nearly twenty years, that's a tradition worth celebrating.

More information can be found at TinaTurley.com