The 2014 Active Elgin Guide is Available!

Elgin County is a proud member of the Active Elgin Coalition, a group that is committed to making sport, recreation and leisure activities in St. Thomas and Elgin County easy to find and accessible for everyone. The ultimate goal of this group is the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle. 

The coalition is pleased to announce that the 2014 Active Elgin Sport, Recreation and Leisure Guide is now available. The guide is a comprehensive listing of sporting and recreational activities and events in the area including everything from hockey, soccer and baseball to swimming, dance lessons and music classes. 

The Active Elgin Coalition has also launched an updated website www.activeelgin.ca that has a new look and easier navigation. Visitors to the website can easily search and find activities and events of interest in a regularly updated database and event calendar. 

For a virtual copy of the Active Elgin Guide visit www.activeelgin.ca or call 1-877-GO-ELGIN ext. 168 for a print version. 

Official Elgin County Tour Guide is Available!

The official 2014 Elgin County visitor’s guide is now available and ready to help you plan your summer vacation!

The days are getting longer and although the temperatures are still a bit frosty, spring and eventually summer are on their way! Now is the perfect time to start dreaming of warmer days spent stretched out on the sandy beaches of Lake Erie or hiking the lush green trails of the area’s Carolinian forests. 

This guide includes not only a comprehensive listing of tourism attractions in Elgin County,  but also information about Elgin’s seven partner municipalities, the Savour Elgin and Elgin Arts Trail programs and an extensive event listing section.

The guide encourages locals to take time to explore the treasures in their own backyards. From 120 km of scenic shoreline, five-star dining and golf to art, theatre and shopping, Elgin County has something for everyone. 

For a copy of the official Experience Elgin County tour guide please call (519) 631-1460 ext. 164, email tourism@elgin-county.on.ca or visit Elgin County Tourism at 450 Sunset Dr. St. Thomas. A virtual copy of the guide is also available at www.elgintourist.com. 

Elgin County Continues Support of Local Festivals and Events

Elgin County is pleased to present the Festival and Event Partnership Program (FEPP) again in 2014 for local groups that take it upon themselves to develop festivals and events that will meet the County’s tourism goals:

• Increase the amount of people that visit Elgin;
• Increase the length of stay of visitors; and,
• Increase the amount of money that visitor’s spend.

　

In 2014, the FEPP will provide up to $4,000 of funding to support several qualifying festivals and events in Elgin County. The FEPP funding will not be limited to a predetermined number of festivals or events or a specific amount per festival or event. It is important to note that only events located in Elgin County are eligible for this funding.

FEPP contributions will assist in attracting visitors to the County; retaining local spending; and enhancing the quality of place within the community.

A copy of the FEPP application can be downloaded by visiting: www.elgintourist.com/fepp. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, April 16, 2014 to qualify. 

If you have questions about this program, call the Economic Development Department at (519) 631-1460 ext. 176 or send an e-mail to karussell@elgin-county.on.ca.

　

Warm up with the Great Winter Thaw Adventure

The Springwater Conservation Area and the Elgin Stewardship Council want to help you say good-bye to winter in true Canadian style with the Great Winter Thaw Adventure from March 7 to April 15, 2014.

Every year in March the Springwater Conservation Area hosts its annual Maple Syrup Festival where visitors can learn how maple syrup is made, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides and purchase a selection of delicious maple treats. At the same time of year, thousands of Tundra Swans stop at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area to rest and refuel on their long migration to the Arctic Region. 

This year, Springwater Conservation Area and the Elgin Stewardship Council have partnered with the County of Elgin, the Town of Aylmer, the Township of Malahide and the Aylmer Express to encourage participation in these annual events with the Great Winter Thaw Adventure contest. For the chance to win one of two prize packs valued at $400 each, participants must visit the Maple Syrup Festival and the Tundra Swans, get their Great Winter Thaw Adventure Passport punched at each location, fill out the form and drop it off at either location or mailed in. Completed passports must be dropped off by April 15, 2014 to qualify for the draw.  

Passports can be picked up at the Maple Syrup Festival, the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, Mainstreet Aylmer businesses, Aylmer Town Hall, the Township of Malahide office. 

Additional information about the event, prize packs and digital, downloadable copies of the passport available on the Elgin County Tourism website: 

http://www.elgintourist.com/Tourism/Great-Winter-Thaw-Adventure