Harbour Fest and JAMJAM Music Festival Awarded Elgin Grant

Elgin County Economic Development is pleased to announce that the Festival and Event Partnership Program grant recipients for 2014 have been chosen.

Events receiving grants for 2014 include Port Stanley Harbourfest ($3,000) and JAMJAM Music Festival ($1,000).

"We are very excited to support these two unique cultural festivals," said Tourism Development Coordinator Kathryn Russell. "This funding will help Elgin County organizations to produce quality festivals and events that will attract visitors to our community."

Applicants selected best met the program criteria, which included, but was not limited to attracting visitors to the County; retaining local spending; and enhancing the quality of place by organizing festivals and events within the community.

This is the fifth year that the County of Elgin have encouraged groups to hold festivals and events by providing contributions totaling $4,000 to community groups that take it upon themselves to organize these events.

Elgin County encourages all local festivals and events in the area and hopes to provide the Festival and Event Partnership Program again in 2015.

Photo (from left to right): Alan Smith, General Manager of Economic Development; Jaime Barash, JAMJAM Music Festival; Michelle Fournier, Harbour Fest; Janelle Barash, JAMJAM Music Festival).

Live Theatre in Elgin County

For the next two weekends Elgin County is the place to be for live theatre entertainment! Performances are on now until June 8th at  the professional theatre in Port Stanley and at  two talented community theatre groups - one in Aylmer and the other in St. Thomas. Get out there and enjoy quality live performances!

Port Stanley Festival Theatre
6-302 Bridge St., Port Stanley

“Country Jukebox: The Best of Country Duets”

Starring Leisa Way, Aaron Solomon,

& Randall Kempf

Featuring the Wayward Wind Band

May 27 - June 7

From traditional country harmonies to exciting crossover melodies, “Country Jukebox” bursts from the gate and hits the ground running. Starring concert veteran, Leisa Way, our opening show takes you on a high energy ride through country’s finest. A non-stop parade of all your favourites will leave you breathless and yelling for more!

Elgin Theatre Guild
40 Princess Ave, St. Thomas

"Swing Dance" 

by Lynda Maertens 

May 29 - June 8

What happens when uptown meets downtown and there is a difference of opinion on a night of "Swing"? Don't miss out on this breakthrough comedy.

Aylmer Community Theatre

38 John St. S, Aylmer 

"Mrs. Parliament's Night Out"

by Norm Foster

May 29 - June 7

The final show of the season will be a first for audiences of community theatre. Norm Foster's newest release to amateur theatre companies is "Mrs. Parliament's Night Out" and ACT is proud to be the first company to acquire the rights. Mrs. Parliament finds herself at a crossroad when her husband of 32 years forgets their anniversary. A myriad of characters, played by 4 men and 3 women, engage in a supportive community that supports and teaches Mrs. P on her journey.

Elgin County Partners with LCBO Food & Drink Magazine

In June 2014, the Savour Elgin/Elgin Arts Trail Experience Guide will be distributed to over 175,000 people as an insert in the Summer Edition of the LCBO Food & Drink magazine.

By partnering with Food & Drink magazine, Elgin County will be able to reach a wide audience that is specifically interested in culinary and cultural attractions. These promotional
efforts are supported by the Local Food Fund administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The guide has a new format that will encourage travel throughout the region, by packaging the members into three separate tours leading visitors on a journey to 31 of the area’s best food, drink and artistic establishments. New members in 2014 include Wildflowers Farm in Central Elgin, Simply Scoops in Port Burwell, the Aylmer Performing Arts Council and the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.

This year the guide also includes the chance to Win An Elgin Experience. Pick up a copy of the guide for your chance to win one of three exciting weekend prize packages, each valued at $700.

For a copy of the 2014 Savour Elgin/Elgin Arts Trail Experience Guide please call (519) 631-1460 ext. 164, email tourism@elgin-county.on.ca or visit Elgin County Economic Development at 450 Sunset Dr. St. Thomas.

Start the Summer off Right this Victoria Day Long-Weekend

After a long cold winter, get out their and celebrate the first long-weekend of summer! 

ElginLicious 
May 15 – 25
www.savourelgin.ca
Savour the spring flavours and take advantage of the area’s restaurants, winery, specialty food shops and agri-tourism destinations at three great price points: $10, $15, or $25. Visit www.savourelgin.ca for participating businesses and offers.

Port Stanley Sidewalk & Community Yard Sale
May 17
8am Start Time
Village of Port Stanley
www.portstanley.net
Browse the entire village for great bargains and rare finds. Live music at various times throughout the weekend.

Port Glasgow Yacht Club Community Yard & Garage Sale
May 17
Port Glasgow Yacht Club & Marina, 8536 Haven’s Lake Road, RR#3 Rodney
www.portglasgowyachtclubandmarina.ca

All are welcome. Vendors tables are $10.

West Lorne & Community Horticultural Society Annual Plant & Bake Sale
 May 17
8am Start Time
West Lorne Community Complex, 160 Main Street, West Lorne
Purchase some great plants for your garden at great prices. 

Silverthorn Landscape Seminars
 May 17 
Silverthorn Landscape Supplies, 46400 Talbot Line, St. Thomas
www.silverthornlandscape.com
Build a Pond - 10am - Learn how and why the ecosystem works, how to build a pond and all the outdoor enjoyment it will bring to your landscaped yard.
Create an Inukshuk - 1pm - Learn the history and meaning of an Inukshuk and build one to take home with you.
Build a Water Feature - 1pm - Learn how to build a water feature and see how easy it is to have and maintain throughout the season

Scenic Train Rides on the PSTR 
Saturdays & Sundays from May 17th to Jun 29th, plus Mon May 19th (Victoria Day)
Port Stanley Terminal Rail, 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley
Adults $15, Children (2-14) $9
www.pstr.on.ca
Enjoy a scenic ride on the Port Stanley Terminal Railway. Reservations are not required, but please arrive at the station 30 minutes in advance for easy access. Regular rides are one hour in duration and run rain or shine.

Murder Mystery Train Rides
 May 17
Dinner at 6pm, train departs at 7pm
Port Stanley Terminal Rail, 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley
www.pstr.on.ca
Enjoy delicious dinner supplied by our caterer followed by a moving performance. October 24th & 25th dates are special Halloween edition Murder Mystery rides.

HMCS Ojibwa Season Opener
May 17
9am – 4pm
3 Pitt St., Port Burwell
Tickets for Tours: Adults/children 6-12 - Interior $18.50/$11, exterior $10/$3 (under 6 free), combo $30/$15
www.projectojibwa.ca

HMCS OJIBWA celebrates the opening of its first full season on Saturday, May 17 right beside HMCS OJIBWA in Port Burwell. In addition to tours inside and outside the submarine, a great day of fun and bargains has been planned by a local group called the Bayham SubMissions. Proceeds go to the Museum of Naval History.
Starting at 9:00 am and running until 4:00 pm, there will be a wide variety of craft and vendor booths along with a huge silent auction and face painting for all. For the first time Railway City Brewing Company will be having a beer tasting tent featuring samples of their great local beer. And if you get hungry, there will be a pork and beef BBQ right on site. 

STEPAC Exhibitions: 

Donna Andreychuk – A Perfect Storm
Dennis Kalichuk – 1000 Words of Nature
Heather Keating – Journeys
May 3 – June 7
St. Thomas – Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot St. St. Thomas
www.stepac.ca