Celebrate Canada's Birthday in Elgin County!

Celebrate our Country's 147th Birthday with these great events in Elgin County! 

Wallacetown Agriculture Society Presents Barn Dance & Silent Auction
June 28, 2014
7:00 pm
Wallacetown Fairgrounds
Tickets - $8 in advance, $10 at the door
www.facebook.com/events/724839690899486/

Come out and dance the night away and help keep the Wallacetown Fair alive. Featuring DJ Derek (formerly of Cowboys). There will be some fantastic silent and live auction items up for bids as well. Age of majority required. Silent auction 7-9pm. 9pm-1am "Let the Dancing Begin". Tickets available at Investor's Group Dutton and Tall Tales Cafe, Wallacetown. 

Mennonite Community Services 14th Annual Charity Auction
June 28, 2014
7:00 am breakfast & viewing; 9:00am bidding begins; 11:00am lunch booths open
Aylmer Curling Club & Fairgrounds
Mennonite Community Services, 519-765-3020
www.mcson.org

The MCS Aylmer Charity Auction, widely known for its scrumptious Mennonite and international food booths, has become a growing annual tradition for all of Aylmer. Join the excitement of live bidding as this year’s auction promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

Association of Port Stanley Artists’ Canada Day Show
June 28 & 29, 2014
1:00 am-5:00 pm 
Royal Canadian Legion, Port Stanley Branch, Front Lawn
www.portstanleyartists.com

Annual West Lorne Optimist Club Breakfast and Antique Car Show 
June 29, 2014
8:30 am
Miller Park, West Lorne
Contact: Jeff (519) 768-2031

A great family event you won't want to miss!

Port Stanley CanFest
June 29 to July 1, 2014
www.portstanleycanfest.ca 

Join our Canada Day celebrations presented by the businesses in Port Stanley and organized by the Port Stanley BIA. Check the website for details, including Sunday: Firefighters / Lions Breakfast, Canfest Road Race, Antique Train Rides and Kids Treasure Hunt at GTs and Tuesday: Veteran's March, Antique Train Rides, Canada Day Cake and Fireworks on the main beach at 10pm (July 1st).  

CanFest Kids Treasure Hunt
June 29, 2014
10:45 am
GT’s Beach Bar & Grill
www.gtsportstanley.ca

GTs hosts the annual CanFest kids treasure hunt. At 11am, Stinky Stanley the pirate tells the story of how he discovered Port Stanley! Then help him find his lost treasure and share in the booty. Kids 8 and under only please. 

Fingal Canada Day Celebrations
June 30, 2014
Fingal Ball Park, Fingal

Fireworks at dusk. 

Aylmer & Malahide Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2014
East Elgin Community Complex
www.eastelgincommunitycomplex.ca 

Celebrate Canada Day at the East Elgin Community Complex with actives including inflatables, carnival games, cotton candy, mini golf, buggy rides, photo booth, crafts & activities. There will also be free public skating from 5-9pm (skate rentals available for $2/pair). Fireworks at dusk.

Music & Artisan Festival for Hospice
July 1, 2014
1:00pm
Pinecroft Pottery Studio
Contact: Lynn Davis, 519-637-3034, lynn.serenityhh@gmail.com www.serenityhousehospice.ca

West Lorne Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2014
Miller Park, West Lorne
www.westelgin.net

1pm Kids Country Carnival & other activities; 5pm fish fry; 7pm opening ceremonies, baseball games, Snake Lady show; 9:30pm fireworks.

Half-Price Herb Sale
July 1, 2014
Heritage Line Herbs, 53443 Heritage Line, Aylmer
www.heritagelineherbs.com 

All 4" potted herbs are half-price all day. Pizza samples also available. 

Dutton Canada Day Celebrations
July 1, 2014
12:00 pm – Dusk
Sons of Scotland Park, Dutton
www.duttondunwich.on.ca

Enjoy fun activities throughout the day! Free swim, volunteer awards, opening ceremonies, musical entertainment, kids activities, fireworks at dusk.

Canada Day Celebrations in Port Burwell
July 1, 2014
www.bayham.on.ca/files/%7B020CB00F-10FD-40F3-B047-1D44EE927BF3%7DEvents%20brochure%202014.pdf

Parade at 11:30am (Port Burwell Legion to Fred Bodsworth Public Library) followed by flag raising ceremony, music, entertainment, children’s activities, food, fun and cake cutting. Visit the Marine Museum & Historic Lighthouse.  

Port Stanley Canfest Firefighters/Lions 27km Run
July 1, 2014
8:00 am – 11:00 am
www.facebook.com/events/177308505779343/ 

Hey... I got hosed at Canfest! Awesome and gorgeous route, with some sirens and hoses along the way. Save the date with the Lions and Central Elgin Fire Rescue for an incredible run! There are some really special treats for this one! Stay tuned!

Canada Day in Pinafore Park
July 1, 2014
Pinafore Park, St. Thomas

Daytime festivities, vendors, entertainment and nighttime fireworks (10pm) sum up Canada at Pinafore Park. Bring the family out to these yearly celebrations.

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.