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Chris McKhool Receives Key to City of Burlington

This is totally nuts, but true!  Burlington Mayor Meed Ward each year chooses a resident whose hard work, talent, efforts and passion have made Burlington a better place to live.

And this year she picked ME to receive the KEY TO THE CITY!

I am completely knocked out by this, and I am deeply grateful to the city, as well as everyone that I have had the opportunity to work with here in the last few years! To everyone I have had the honour to meet and work with, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

CHRIS MCKHOOL TO RECEIVE KEY TO THE CITY OF BURLINGTON
Internationally Acclaimed Artist and Cultural Leader to Be Honoured 

Burlington, ON – The City of Burlington is proud to announce that acclaimed musician, cultural changemaker, and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:00 PM.

The honour recognizes McKhool’s extraordinary contributions to the city and beyond through his internationally celebrated artistic projects such as Walking Through the Fire and The Refuge Project. Both productions were deeply rooted in Burlington while resonating across Canada, spotlighting Indigenous voices, refugee stories, and diverse communities through music, film, and live performance.

McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression.

In 2024 alone, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame, and his work with Sultans of String has garnered multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, a Cannes World Film Festival win, and national acclaim for his efforts to build inclusive communities through music. His projects have been featured in both local venues and international festivals, bringing Burlington’s name to the world stage while nurturing the arts at home.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony and celebrate Chris’s achievements alongside family, friends, and community supporters. Special acknowledgment is extended to Burlington Indigenous artist Kate Dickson, who nominated Chris for this recognition.

Chris McKhool’s decades-long dedication to the arts is a model of civic leadership through creativity. From producing award-winning visual albums to creating the world’s largest bicycle bell orchestra, his imaginative approach to community building continues to inspire and uplift audiences of all ages.

Learn more about Chris’ projects at https://sultansofstring.com and https://fiddlefire.com