2017 It Starts At The Beach

TEE TIMES519-786-5505 Driving Range Highest Slope RatingJunior/Adult Rentals In Lambton Shores Come play the best golfcourse in Lambton Shores18 Hole Championship Course Par 71 Twilight Golf starts at 2pm HST included 18 Holes with Cart Mon-Thur $30, Fri-Sun $35www.indianhillsgolf.ca6991 Lakeshore Road, Lambton Shores, ON N0N 1J2

LET’S GET SOCIAL Facebook.com/GrandBendTourismContentsTwitter.com/Grand_BendPhoto: V. Beeler Beach Bum Bucket List ...........................5 122 Photo: J. Baillie Must See Events .....................................7 Be a Serenity Seeker at the Beach ..........8 Be a Serenity Seeker on the Lake..........11 Be an Adrenaline Junkie ......................12 Be a Fairway Ninja ................................17 GET Be a Healthy Hiker................................21 LIVE Be a Master Angler ...............................27 ACTIVE Be a Birder............................................29 Be a Culture Vulture .............................30 Be a Taste Explorer................................6654 Photo: J. Baillie 94 82FESTIVALS STAY& EVENTS SHOP114 PLAN Tips for Travellers ............................... 127 Advertisers Directory.......................... 128SERVICES Maps.................................................. 132 YOUR TRIPGrand Bend & Area Chamber HOURS OF OPERATION September to May – Monday to Friday, noon to 4pmof Commerce VISITOR CENTRE1-81 Crescent Street, PO Box 248, June to August – Daily, 10am to 6pmGrand Bend, ON Canada N0M 1T0

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 2017 COVER & [email protected] Winner of the 2017 Cover Photo Contest is Katherine McKillop of London, Ontario! Designed By Track 21 Graphix Inc. Printed By Commercial Print-Craft Ltd. Guide photographs were generously provided by amateur photographers. Thank you to everyone who submitted photos! Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of Ontario’s Southwest. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | CONTENTS 3

1 Photo: L. Marcoux 92 3 Photo: K. Keunezke 4Photo: D. Bannister 5 6 Photo: S. Ryan Photo: J. Baillie 7 84 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

BucketListPhoto:J.Jutzi 1. RELAX AT THE BEACH stopping over at the Thedford Delight in 66 kilometres of Lake Bog elds behind Lambton Huron’s sparkling, clean waters from Heritage Museum. Bay eld to Ipperwash and bask on more than 20 area beaches, while 6. BE A CULTURE VULTURE the kids build sandcastles and A beach vacation here means you collect shells. Two dog-friendly can also enjoy live theatre at ve beaches are located in Pinery professional theatres just 5 minutes Provincial Park. to 1 hour from the sand! Check out show listings on page 30 and order 2. BE AN ADRENALINE JUNKIE your tickets today! Adrenaline junkies can experience the area from 10,000 feet by 7. SHOP THE UNIQUE parachuting or see the beach and The main streets of Bay eld, Exeter, lakeshore parasailing at 1,000 Forest and Grand Bend offer unique feet. Top off your adventure- and varied products, including local lled day wakeboarding at nearby photography and art, and locally Windmill Lake. produced and specialty food and food items. Grand Bend’s main street 3. HIT THE TRACK turns into a classic beach-front, One of Canada’s largest racing holiday strip where the young venues, Grand Bend Motorplex, and the young-at-heart shop and is one of only two offering drag- people-watch. racing, road-racing, oval track-racing and motocross. It’s home to Eastern 8. SAVOUR THE FLAVOUR Canada’s largest drag-racing event! Live like a local and pick up fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, meats and 4. STEP INTO NATURE honey from farm-gate locations. Pinery Provincial Park is one of See \"Be a Taste Explorer\" starting the most beautiful and popular on page 66. parks in Ontario with rare Savanna and Carolinian forest and wildlife 9. SCALE THE DUNE and fauna unique to the area. Port Franks boasts a giant sand hill! There are lots of trails to enjoy Kids of all ages enjoy the challenge - including several wheelchair of climbing up and walking down. Try accessible ones. Parks and not to fall! conservation areas offer many year- round hiking opportunities and 10. PLAY PALEONTOLOGIST trail types. Fossil hunt for crinoids, brachiopods and trilobites in ankle-shallow water 5. SEE THE SWANS at Rock Glen Conservation Area and In March, 15,000 Tundra Swans cool off beside the only waterfall in return to Canada’s Arctic from Lambton County. „ Chesapeake Bay, MarylandPhoto: J. Jutzi It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 5

EXETER RAM RODEO PAINT ONTARIO MPhoto Municipality of South Huron Photo: SWOTC.caSUMMER SUNSET SOUNDS Photo: T. Cloud Photo: J. Baillie Photo: Lambton Heritage MuseumLAMBTON FALL COLOUR& CRAFT FESTIVAL Photo: J. UjiyeZU6RICH gBEraAnNdFbEeSTnIdVAtoLurism.com | 1-888K-E3T3T8L-E2&00S1TONY POINT POW WOW

MusEt vSeenetsPAINT ONTARIO CANADA DAY AT THE BEACH EXETER RAM RODEOMarch 10-April 2, 2017, 10am to July 1, 2017, Main Beach, Grand August 11-13, 2017, South Huron5pm, Lambton Heritage Museum, Bend, CanadaDayGrandBend.ca Recreation Centre, ExeterGrand Bend, paintontario.com facebook.com/ExeterRodeo One of the largest Canada DayPaint Ontario is Ontario’s foremost celebrations on Lake Huron’s shoreline. Exeter’s rodeo attracts fans eagerjuried competition, show and sale Canadian and local musicians perform to capture the challenges and thrillsof original representational art from 2-6pm; headliner takes the stage at experienced by competitors. Rodeoartists all over the province. Artwork 8pm; reworks at 10pm. FREE event – grounds are open the entire weekenddepicts the diversity of the Ontario donations welcome. so you chat with the cowboys/girls,landscape, architecture, ora and witness behind-the-scenes activityfauna, waterscapes and urbanscapes. KETTLE & STONY POINT and grab autographs.Founded by Master Pastel Artist POWWOWand local resident Barry Richman July 8 & 9, 2017, Saturday 1pm & LAMBTON FALLin 1996. In 2015 the Grand Bend Sunday Noon, Kettle & Stony Point COLOUR & CRAFT FESTIVALArt Centre, founded by another First Nation, 9226 Lake Rd., Kettle October 14 & 15, 2017, Lambtonlocal artist - Teresa Marie Phillips, Point, kettlepoint.org/powwow Heritage Museum (Grand Bend)took over the reins of managing & Legacy Recreation Centrethe event. Show entry is FREE with For 47 years, the Chippewas/Ojibwa of (Thedford), lambtonmuseums.camuseum admission. Kettle & Stony Point First Nation have invited everyone to enjoy a cultural Giant artisan show and sale ofGRAND BEND ARTS, EATS heritage event unique to North Canadian-made, non-manufactured& BEATS STUDIO TOUR – America – the PowWow. Event features products ranging from food items“THE STARS COME OUT” traditional dance competitions to home & garden décor, jewellery,May 5-7, 2017, Multiple locations, (jingle dress, fancy shawl, traditional, clothing and gift items. 100+ vendors!Grand Bend & Port Franks, grass and more), drumming, Firstgrandbendstudiotour.com Nation foods, traditional crafts and MOPAR DRAG-RACING ceremonial and traditional clothing. NATIONALSEvent features art, food and music FREE Parking. Veterans, seniors and August 4-6, 2017, Grandat multiple studios and restaurants. tiny tots free. Bend Motorplex, Grand Bend,Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-5pm. GrandBendMotorplex.ca ZURICH BEAN FESTIVALSUMMER SUNSET SOUNDS August 26 & 27, 2017, Zurich Canada’s largest drag-racing event,July & August Sundays, 7pm, Fairgrounds, Zurich, BeanFest.ca the MOPAR Canadian Nationals atMain Beach, Grand Bend, Grand Bend Motorplex hosts 350summersunsetsounds.ca Zurich’s downtown core morphs into racing teams that compete in multiple festival ground-zero with vendors, vehicle classes. The Motorplex hasRunning July and August, every Sunday midway rides, entertainers and several racing tracks accommodatingor holiday Monday. Held at the Grand musicians. The festival features one car, truck and motorcycle racingBend Rotary Community Stage, each of the largest vintage and antique car events. Racing clubs take over theconcert features opening and headliner show and shine events, taking up all of tracks weekdays, with larger eventsperformances. Enjoy up-and-coming the local playing elds. Dig into a meal scheduled on weekends. Annualand well-known Canadian talent. of home-cooked, locally-produced favourites such as Harleys by thePrevious years' performers have included baked beans and pork chops. Beach, Ontario Nostalgia DragZack Neil, Michael Vanhevel, Steel City Racers Race Weekend, Thunder byRovers, Stegall, Trent Severn and The The area is known as the White the Beach, Stratford Spectacular andWalkervilles. Concerts FREE, donations Bean Capital of Canada – growing, Windsor Weekend are just a few of thewelcome. Bring your own chairs. processing and shipping tons of special events. „ white beans worldwide!See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 7

AtBethacehImagine being on a soft, sandy beach with the horizon stretching to the north and south of just where you arestanding! Returning cottagers, vacation-seekers and residents all agree – It Starts at the Beach…. and endswhere you want!Pinery Provincial Park has one Long Weekend to Labour Day Long parking lot and concreted areas only.of the most beautiful beaches in Weekend. The Beach House offers Sorry, no dogs on the beach.the province, offering day visits, a concession, public washrooms,camping and 10 kilometres of sandy change rooms, outdoor showers for Since 2009, the Mainbeach and dunes. Two all-terrain handy sand removal and an elevator- Beach has held Blue Flagwheelchairs are available for loan to accessible observation deck. The status (BlueFlag.org),provide accessibility to the beach children's splash pad and playground meaning your family can beand there are accessible ramps to the are located on the east side of the assured of consistent swimmablebeach (call the Park’s Visitor Centre at Beach House and on west side there's water quality, beach cleanliness519-243-1521). Pinery has nine a boardwalk stretching the length of and safety. Lifeguards are onday-use beaches, two of which are the beach to the pavilion and pier. duty throughout the summer.dog-friendly. The beach is also a very short walk to Main Street West - where you'll nd Port Blake Conservation Area isSince the 1870s, Grand Bend's Main a variety of food and drink and retail just a few minutes north of GrandBeach has been a favourite beach shopping therapy. Bend’s main intersection and offers adestination for Ontario residents. quieter stretch of sand and a grassedDetroit's Ford Motor Company For safety reasons, barbequing, glass picnic area with BBQs.even held their annual company items and tents are not allowed onpicnic here in the 1910s! Family- Grand Bend’s Main Beach. There’s Bay eld’s Beach is within walkingfriendly beach with volleyball nets; also no camping or driving on the distance of Main Street withlifeguards are on duty Victoria Day beach and dogs are restricted to washrooms and parking close by.G8RANDgBraEnNdDbBeEnAdCtHourism.com | 1-888C-A3N38A-D2A00D1AY PARADE

Enjoy stunning lake views from the Get Activescenic look-out in Pioneer Park.Rainy Day Swimming - local indoorpools are open to area visitors for asmall entry fee.t
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RockGlen.com, 800- 265-7597, 8685 Rock Glen Rd., Arkona „ WATER QUALITY INFOLINES: Lambton County: 519-383-3816 Huron County: 1-877-837-6143 ext. 2501You Don’t Want to MissCanada Day, Grand Bend – July 1, 2017Summer Sunset Sounds, Grand Bend – July & August, multiple datesCeltic Roots Festival, Goderich – August 11-13, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65.It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIPVhoEto: V. Be9eler

Photo: R. SwitzerG1R0ANDgBraEnNdDbHeAnRdBtOoUuRrism.com | 1-888-338-2001

OLnakteheSailing and boating enthusiasts can nd everything they need at the municipalPort Franks Marina, Grand Bend Harbour and Bay eld Marina, which are openfrom Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving Weekend. Boaters can take the “SafeBoater Get Certi ed Test” at either the Grand Bend or Port Franks marina of ce.There are also a number of private marinas in the area.For those combining boating with electrical – 30 & 50 amp, internet, slips, 60 seasonal slips, gas & diesel,diving, The Wexford wreck is a 250- shuttle service, public boat launch, washrooms & showers, pump out,foot freighter, located 11 kilometres laundry facilities, showers, ice. electrical – 20, 30 & 50 amp, internet,OPSUIXFTU
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AJdurBneeaknn iaelineIn the mood for an adrenaline rush? Try skydiving, parasailing, paddleboarding,wakeboarding, yboarding or seadoing. If you love freefalling above beautiful sand andwater or jumping over waves on high quality seadoos, then head to Grand Bend where youcan experience the latest and greatest in adrenaline- lled activities.Since 1982, the Grand Bend Sport group rates and specials for groups of with programming like PaddleFit,Parachuting Centre has operated 6 or more people. Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)as the only skydiving facility in :PHB
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skydivers with freefalling. Whether 20-ft. water trampoline, try out a tube Grandbendparasail.comyou’re a freefalling expert or this is or water ski. They even have the latest 519-525-3596your rst jump, there’s something innovation in adrenaline-rousing 77 Main St. W., Grand Bendfor everyone at the parachuting water thrill-rides – yboarding,centre. Instructors recognize that a essentially a “water jet pack” that t
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rst jump can be frightening, so they uses water pressure to let the user Skydivegrandbend.comoffer new skydivers a freefall skydive rise into the air, dive, and jump out 519-238-8610with two instructors assisting until the of the water. Xtreme also provides an 70114 County Rd. 81, Grand Bendparachute is activated, which is when exclusive jet boat charter service andthe beginner steers the parachute quality seadoos, jet skis, and three- t
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USBNQPMJOFwith instructions via radio. person waverunners for rent. xtremewatersports.ca 519-238-5816 or 519-319-4864If skydiving isn’t your thing, try Recently, there has been a new 84 Main St., Grand Bendparasailing with Grand Bend addition to the adrenaline scene inParasail through the skies at Grand Bend Area – wakeboarding t
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QBEEMFCPBSEJOHheights of up to 1000-ft. from Grand and paddleboarding lessons and Windmill-lake.ca, 519-524-0636,Band’s beautiful pier. There are rentals! Head to Bay eld’s Windmill 35957 Bay eld River Rd., Bay eldseveral quali ed instructors and Lake, an eco-friendly outdooroperators who provide instruction recreation park that offers beginner, Heart-pumpingto all participants, no matter their intermediate, and advanced cable action doesn't stopexperience level. There are tons of wakeboarding, as well as stand updeals to take advantage of such as paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, at the shoreline.early bird ights, which run from and pedal boating. Windmill Lake is9am to 11am every day; sunset loads the only straight line cable park in GO PITSIDEwhere you can enjoy one of Canada’s Huron County, and the rst bi-level Head inland to get your motor runningbest sunset destinations from a birds- wakeboarding park in Canada. There at Grand Bend Motorplex. One ofeye view above the main beach; and are adventures for the whole family Canada’s largest motorsport facilities, Grand Bend Motorplex has 60,00012 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

e SKY DIVING GRAND BEND PARASAILING Photo: L. Marcoux GRAND BEND FLY BOARDING Photo: M. Wright TUBING Photo: D. McCann racing fans annually. It’s the location Racer 5 Motorcycle Training School is and Waterloo Motorcycle Rides. of the largest drag racing event in offering two weekends of training to Motorcycle tour itinerary maps are Eastern Canada and the second- bring aspiring motorcycle racers from available at the Welcome Centre, largest of the International Hot introductory to pre-race levels. located south-east of Grand Bend's Road Association’s MOPAR Nitrojam main intersection. Nationals! The Motorplex offers drag Of course, crowd favourites like the racing, road racing, oval track racing MOPAR Canadian Nationals, ONDR's Handy Motorcycling Websites: and motor cross competition. Nostalgia Weekend, Stratford cruisethecoast.ca Spectacular, Windsor Race Weekend ridethecounties.ca New for 2017, the GTA Exotic Cars and Thunder by the Beach are all ridegreybruce.com track experience program is heading back for another year. this way. Ever wanted to take a Ferrari OLD FASHIONED or Lamborghini or other exotic car for MOTORCYCLING PEDAL POWER a drive? Well this program lets drivers ROUTES & GUIDES Like to go at a slower pace and select the car of their dreams and take The Grand Bend Area is nestled get your heart rate up using pedal it for a spin. Or maybe you'd rather between three regions that publish power? The area is the starting throttle it out on a motorcycle. The motorcycling route guides - Cruise the Coast, Ride Perth County, It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 13

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Pinery Check out its location at 36 Main Inside the Shores Recreation Provincial Park south of Grand St., Zurich, call 519-236-7203 Centre. Adult and student Bend and Outside Projects on Main or visit theallinstore.com priced day passes available. Street in downtown Bay eld. Outside ymcaswo.ca, Projects also provides repairs and GET A JUMP ON YOUR DAY 519-786-9622 equipment sales. Maintain your tness routine away 7883 Amtelecom Pky. from home at one of the area’s gyms. Handy Cycling Websites:
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Recreation Centre, OntarioCycling.org 190 Suncoast Dr. E. „ CycleCanada.com memberships available to BikeOnTours.on.ca non-park visitors. birchbarkcamping.com, SafeCycling.ca 519-238-8256, 36501 cyclingcanada.ca Dashwood Rd. (County Rd. 83) facebook.com/OutsideProjectsYou Don’t Want to MissMOPAR Canadian Superbike Series – June 9-11, 2017Summer Sizzler All-Bikes Weekend – June 16-18, 2017ONDR Nostalgia Weekend – June 30-July 2, 2017Bay eld Vettefest – July 7 & 8, 2017BaconFest Lucan – July 8, 2017MS Bike Tour – July 29 & 30, 2017MOPAR Canadian Nationals – August 4-6, 2017Thunder by the Beach – September 1-3, 2017Volkfest, Bay eld – September 24, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. 14 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

WAKEBOARDING / PADDLEBOARDING / CANOEING / KAYAKING ALL AGES & ABILITIES WELCOME LESSONS & RENTALS AVAILABLE WWW.WINDMILL-LAKE.CA (519) 524-0636 LOCATED 25 MINUTES NORTH OF GRAND BENDIt Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 15

OAKWOOD RESORT & GOLF Photo: S. Stinchcombe16 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001 INDIAN HILLS GOLF COURSE Photo: L. Spregner

FNaiinrBewajaayThe area boasts more than a dozen golf courses with lush fairways andgreat greens 5 minutes to 45 minutes from the beach! Why not create yourown \"Highway 21 Golf Tour\" starting with Indian Hills Golf Course, known for itsdiabolical hills and challenging holes and work your way northwards to SunsetGolf Course in Goderich. Along the way, you could play an additional twelve courses- all with various characteristics to challenge every level of golfer.Look for stay and play packages, kids’ camps, twilight specials, local leagues and tournaments.18-HOLE COURSES Oakwood Inn Resort & Golf Club**, Grand BendArkona Fairways Golf Course, Arkona 70671 Bluewater Hwy., 519-238-23248562 Townsend Line, 519-333-6446 oakwoodresort.caarkonafairways.com Sand Hills Golf Resort*, ThedfordBayview Golf Club**, St. Joseph 9767 Port Franks Rd., 519-243-180072538 Bluewater Hwy., 519-236-4030 golfsandhill.cabayviewgolfclub.ca Sawmill Creek Golf Resort & Spa**, CamlachieForest Golf & Country Club*, Forest 3790 Lakeshore Rd., 519-899-GOLF102 Main St. S., 1-800-265-0214 sawmill-creek.comgolfforest.com Seaforth Golf Club**, SeaforthGoderich Sunset Golf Club**, Goderich 42990 Front Rd., 1-A Doig Drive, 519-522-098533937 Golf Course Rd. , 519-524-8047 seaforthgolf.comsunsetgolfclub.com Widder Station Golf and Country Club, ThedfordIndian Hills Golf Club, Lambton Shores 8395 Decker Rd., 519-296-46536991 Lakeshore Rd., 519-786-5505 widderstation.comindianhillsgolf.caIronwood Golf Club**, Exeter MINI PUTT70969 Morrison Line, 519-235-1521 There’s one mini putt venue located on Main Street Westironwood.net in Grand Bend. A second can be found at Gold Coast Landscaping, 75526 Bluewater Hwy. in Bay eld. „9-HOLE COURSESBluewater Golf Course, Bay eld77416 Bluewater Hwy., 519-482-7197bluewatergolfandcamp.caExeter Golf Club, Centralia40374 Kirkton Rd., 519-235-1517exetergolfclub.ca
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Quick Golf Guide DRIVING PUTTINGCOURSE TYPE HOLES YARDAGE PAR RANGE GREEN RENTALS PROArkona Fairways Public 18 5,725 70 9 9 carts shop, pro available,Bayview Golf Club teaching proBluewater Golf Course Public 18 6,359 72 9 — carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available, teaching proExeter Golf Club Public 9— — — 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available,Forest Golf Club teaching proGoderich Sunset Public 9— — 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available,Golf Club teaching proIronwood Golf Club Public 18 4,612 66 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available,Indian Hills Golf Club teaching proOakwood Resort Public 18 5,900 70 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available,& Golf Club Par 3 courseSand Hills Golf Resort Public 18 6,179 71 — 9 carts, clubs shop, pro availableSawmill Creek GolfResort & Spa Public 18 6,179 71 — 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available,Seaforth Golf Club teaching proWidder Station Golf Public/Resort 18 5,356 70 9 9 carts, trolleys shop, pro available,& Country Club teaching pro, golf school Public 18 5,536 71 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available, teaching pro Semi-Private/ 18 6,445 71 9 9 carts, clubs shop, pro available, Resort 18 6,027 teaching pro, golf school Semi-Private 71 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available, teaching pro Public 18 6,271 72 9 9 carts, trolleys, clubs shop, pro available, teaching pro It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 19

Photo: J. Jutzi Photo: J. Baillie Photo: J. Baillie Photo: L. deGroot20 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-3Ph3o8to-: 2L.0d0eG1root

HHBeeaiaklethr yThe area is blessed with many gems of nature, being located on the northernfringes of the Carolinian Life Zone. This zone represents less than 1% of Canada'slandmass, but is home to the largest diversity of fauna and ora species in thecountry, as well as the highest number of species-at-risk.The landscape features miles of Northville Crescent, off of Highway along village roads, then dips intosandy beaches along the shores of 21 by the Ausable Cut Bridge. Offers the woods where it follows old gravelLake Huron, bare and forested dune a challenging 1.5-kilometre loop trail pit and lumbering roads and deerlands, freshwater coastal wetlands, over a high sand dune. paths. Access at Keith Crescent &rare Oak Savanna, steep and forested Hill Terrace. Sawmill Trail
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 River Road, then right onto Sawmillor kettles in black shale beds, and Road, watch for signage. Variedbrachiopod and trilobite fossils from acre conservation area boasts six terrain changes from ood plainthe Devonian Period. to coniferous forest and hillsides. EJGGFSFOU
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washrooms. Access from Exeter's Portable washrooms May to October. Drive east on Elgin eld Road from Main Street by the river or drive Playground, picnic area, tennis courts, Sylvan, turn right onto Vernon Road; east of Exeter on County Road 83, paved walking/cycling paths, gazebo. (2) Drive north from Sylvan on Sylvan turn south on Morrison Line, and Road, turn left onto Elliot Road watch for signage. Forest Trail System
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– it’s likely you’ll nd a fossil! Stairs, BAYFIELDboardwalks and bridge allow visitorsto explore the glen’s steep sides and10.7-metre high waterfall. Picnic areaand washrooms. Drive north of Arkonaon Arkona Road (County Rd. 79),turn right on Rock Glen Road, watchfor signage.GEOCACHING &GIS TRAIL MAPPINGGeocaching is like a high techscavenger hunt in which participantsuse a Global Positioning System(GPS) unit or mobile device to searchfor “geocaches\". Download cachelocations from geocaching.com. GPSunits available at Northville MunicipalOf ce, 9575 Port Franks Rd., Thedford,519-243-1400. Huron County's hikingguide is available at the WelcomeCentre in Grand Bend. „ HANDY WEBSITES Ausable Bay eld Conservation Authority: abca.on.ca Bay eld Trails: bay eldtrails.com Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area: hullettmarsh.com Lambton Shores Nature Trails: lsntblazers.com Lambton County Trails: lambtoncountytrails.com Maitland Valley Conservation: Authority: mvca.on.ca St. Clair Region Conservation: Authority: scrca.on.ca Photo: M. Lewis It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 23

24 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 25

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MABane asgtleerrArea communities are home to a range of sh species and the most diverse sh communities in the AusableBay eld Conservation Authority’s watershed. A Fishing & Paddling guide for Huron County is available fromthe Welcome Centre in Grand Bend.FISH A GREAT LAKE Bannockburn Conservation Area Parkhill Reservoir
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Authority: mvca.on.caare also migratory runs of Rainbow present at the pier at times.Trout and Chinook Salmon.You Don’t Want to MissMorrison Dam Fishing Derby, Exeter – May 6, 2017Family Fishing Derby, Benmiller – June 24, 2017Family Fishing Week, Pinery Park – July 1-9, 2017Joe Brandon Memorial Trout Derby, Bay eld – October 13-15, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 27

Photo: K. HeipelPhoto: B. Parsons Photo: K. HeipelTU2N8DRAgSrWanAdNbSendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001 Photo: E. Pluski

BirBeda erArea communities boast habitats ranging from Carolinian Forest to sanddunes and shorelines, offering opportunities to engage in bird watchingthroughout the year. Popular spots include The Pinery Provincial Park,Grand Bend Rotary Trail, Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area, Old Ausable River Bed,Karner Blue Sanctuary, Lake Smith, Lambton County Heritage Forest, Kettle Point,Ipperwash and the Grand Bend Lagoon Area.RETURN OF THE viewing time is in the morning. Port Franks to Grand Bend and waterTUNDRA SWANS $IFDL
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A Guide to The NaturalThe Museum runs Tundra Swan Common and Red-throated loons, Areas of Lambton County:exhibits throughout March. numerous Raptors, Snowy Owls and the Tundra Swans. Summer provides lambtonwildlife.comTundra Swans winter in Chesapeake opportunity to observe AmericanBay, Maryland returning via a 3,000- Coot, Scarlett Tanagers, Baltimore Pinery Provincial Park:kilometre ight to their summer Orioles, Cerulean Warblers, Pine pinerypark.on.ca/birds.htmlbreeding grounds in Canada’s Arctic Grosbeaks, Bohemian Waxwings,every spring. They stop to rest and Great Blue Herons and over 200 other Ausable Bay eld Conservationfeed on remnants of last year’s species of birds. In the winter, Horned Authority: abca.on.cacrops. Much honking and squawking Larks, Downy Woodpeckers, Blueand small-group v-formation ying Jays, Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, Lambton Shores Nature Trails:can be witnessed on the still- White-breasted Nuthatch, American lsntblazers.com Gold nch and Red-tailed Hawks are ooded farmland. common. Bald Eagles have been St. Clair Region Conservation spotted along the shoreline from Authority: scrca.on.caBring binoculars to view the swansfrom Greenway Road. The bestYou Don’t Want to MissReturn of the Tundra Swans, Grand Bend – throughout MarchMigration Weekend, Pinery Provincial Park – May 20-22, 2017Owl Prowl, Morrison Dam, Exeter – October 28, 2017Christmas Bird Count, Pinery Provincial Park – December 16, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | GET ACTIVE 29

CVuullttuBue raree For TheatregoersA beach-and-lake-focused vacation along Lake Huron’s shoreline can include professional live theatre, gallerybrowsing, artistic workshops and live music.Local beach and lake hot spots are PROFESSIONAL LIVE THEATRE Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia:located near several live performance Huron Country Playhouse Main TheVPP.ca, 1-800-717-7694. 2017venues. The Rotary Community Stage Stage & Playhouse II, Grand Bend: 4FBTPO
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30-June 17), Happy Together 1967every Sunday and holiday Monday – Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor (July 4-23), Folks Like Us (Augustin July and August. Huron Country Dreamcoat (June 7-24), All Shook 1-12), Portia (Aug. 15-27), RockabillyPlayhouse is just 5 minutes from Grand Up (June 28-July 16), Million Dollar Swingtime (September 5-24).Bend’s beach, Blyth Festival Theatre Quartet (July 19-August 5), Beauty &is a 49-minute drive from the beach, the Beast (August 10-September 3). Blyth Festival, Blyth:Victoria Playhouse is a 50-minute Playhouse II – Jonas & Barry in the BlythFestival.com, 1-877-862-5984.drive, and Stratford Festival is the Home (June 28-July 15), Lucky Stiff 
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furthest at only 59 minutes. (July 20-August 5), One for the Pot A Night with Guy Lombardo (June (August 16-September 2). 28-August 19), The Berlin Blues (July30 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001 Photo: Drayton Entertainment

huroncountry playhouse 2017 seasonJune 7 – June 24 June 28 – July 16 July 19 – Aug 5 Aug 10 – Sept 3mainstage maingstage mainstage mainstageJune 28 – July 15 July 20 – Aug 5 Aug 16 – Sept 2Playhouse II Playhouse II Playhouse II %R[2IʳFH huroncountryplayhouse.com It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 31

32 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

5-August 19), The Pigeon King (August 9-September 23), LIVE. ORIGINAL.Ipperwash (August 16-September 16). CANADIAN. THEATRE.Stratford Festival, Stratford: JUNE 28 TO AUGUST 19 | WORLD PREMIEREStratfordFestival.ca


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and Dolls (April 15-October 29), Treasure Island (April MR. NEW YEAR’S EVE: A Night with Guy Lombardo22-October 22), Romeo & Juliet (May 3-October 21),HMS Pinafore (May 4-October 21), Timon of Athens (May BY DAVID SCOTT8-September 22), Twelfth Night (May 13-October 21), The His father opposed Guy’s love of Jazz, Canadian radio stationsSchool for Scandal (May 15-October 21), The Changeling showed active disinterest; but no obstacle could block Guy’s path(May 23-September 23), Bakkhai (May 27-September 23, to stardom.The Virgin Trial (June 7-September 23), The BreathingHole (July 30-September 22), Tartuffe (August 1-October JULY 5 TO AUGUST 1913), The Madwoman of Chaillot (August 3-September 24),The Komagata Maru Incident (August 5-September 24). THE BERLIN BLUESThe Livery / Goderich Little Theatre, Goderich: BY DREW HAYDEN TAYLORThelivery.ca, 519-524-6262. The Livery presents a A slap down, drag ’em out cultural appropriation comedy of thenumber of theatrical productions under the Goderich highest (and lowest) order.Little Theatre ag, as well as a national and international lm series April through September and live musical AUGUST 9 TO SEPT 23 | WORLD PREMIEREDPODFSUT

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of the Joneses (January 19), Manchester by the Sea BY THE COMPANY(February 23), I, Daniel Blake (March 23), Julieta (April 7), Ripped from the headlines: A country parable for our times,Maliglutit/Searchers (April 7), A Man Called Ove (April 8), UHPLQGLQJXVWKDWZKDWWDNHVÀLJKWalways comes home to roost.Moonlight (April 8), Canada On Screen 150th Celebration'JMN
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 AUGUST 16 TO SEPT 16 | WORLD PREMIEREFOR MOVIE GOERS IPPERWASHTwo unique movie venues are located in the area – theKineto Theatre in Forest, which is one of the world's BY FALEN JOHNSON & JESSICA CARMICHAELoldest movie theatres and the Starlite Drive-In, one of the $SOD\DERXWWKHHYHUGLI¿FXOWSDWKWRFKDQJHWKHQHHGIRUlast remaining drive-ins in Ontario. Both theatres screen wholeness in healing, and a country’s hunger for hope. rst-run movies and always have family-friendly options. Tickets start at just $17 continued on page 34 CALL 519.523.9300 TOLL FREE 1.877.862.5984 CLICK blythfestival.com 2015-2017 Season SponsorsIt Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 33

Arts & Culture Starlite Drive-In, Grand Bend: season opens May 6 with Guardians C What could be more fun than of the Galaxy 2, Beauty & the Beast. Kineto Theatre, Forest: enjoying the remaining heat of a starlitedriveintheatre.com, 519-238- In operation since 1917, Kineto is summer day while bundling the kids 8344, 36752 Crediton Road. „ open four days a week, year round! up in their pajamas to watch a movie Some movies shown in 3D. Call or under the stars? Call or go online go online to nd out what's playing. to nd out what's playing. The 2017 kineto.ca, 519-786-2303, 24 King Street West.You Don’t Want to MissForest Film Festival, Forest – January 16, February 20 & March 20, 2017Lambton Film & Food Festival, Forest – May 25-28, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65.34 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

CVuullttuBue raree For Art LoversThe local cultural community includes more than a dozen small galleries and working studios and hosts Paint Ontario- Ontario's foremost juried art competition, show and sale of original representational art. Enjoy opportunities tobrowse and buy original art and photography of local artists, as well as participate in art and artisan workshops.EXPLORE YOUR INNER ARTIST workshops. Transform old furniture Kryart Studio (Bay eld):The following locations offer drop-in for your cottage or home. Drop-in and scheduled art classes,and scheduled art classes for all ages bittersweetgrandbend.com all ages.and skill levels. For workshop details, 519-238-1262 kryartstudio.ca, 519-525-2515dates and times call the studio orcheck their website. Glass in Motion (Grand Bend): Lake Life Studio (Camlachie): A working glass art studio and A working glass art studio, retailArt By 3 Studio (Port Franks): retail location that offers hands-on and workshop location.Variety of one-day art workshops, Funshop workshops for all ages. lakelifestudio.com, 519-328-2217including encaustic hot wax, photo glassinmotion.caencaustic, glass jewellery, stained 226-271-5134 Treehaus Canadaglass drip and garden art. Studio (Grand Bend):artby3.com, 519-243-3321 Grand Bend Art A working glass art studio that offers Centre (Grand Bend): fused glass workshops to everyoneBittersweet (Grand Bend): Offers scheduled and drop-in art 10-years and up.A retail and studio location offering workshops and events for all ages. treehauscanada.ca, 226-678-5118furniture painting and stenciling gbartcentre.com, 519-872-7824You Don’t Want to MissPaint Ontario, Grand Bend – March 10 to April 2, 2017Arts, Eats & Beats Studio Tour, Multiple Locations – May 5-7, 2017Lambton Fall Colour & Craft Festival, Grand Bend – October 14 & 15, 2017Christmas Craft Show, Lucan – November 3-5, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 35

GALLERIES/WORKING STUDIOS Art By 3 Studio: 7710 Clayton St., Port Franks artby3.com Janette Baillie Photography: 22 – 81 Crescent St., Grand Bend bailliesframing.ca 519-238-1742 Bill Nieuwland: Displayed at several galleries, including Sunset Arts. theartistbill.com, 519-238-6447 Bliss Studios: 7617 Riverside Dr., Port Franks blissstudio.info, 519-243-3598 Castaway Studio Gallery: 67 River Road, Grand Bend castawayartstudio.com 519-238-8206. D. Culbard Fine Arts Studio: 30 Ontario St. S., Grand Bend dculbard neart.com, 519-238-0021 Glass in Motion: 17 Main St. W., Grand Bend glassinmotion.ca, 226-271-513436 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

JMR Art Gallery: Marten Arts Gallery: Arts & Culture9 Main St. N., Bay eld 17A Main St. N., Bay eldjmrcollections.com, 519-565-2213 facebook.com/martenartsgallery Studio 109 Glass: 519-565-2222 239 Main St., ParkhillKryart Studio: mariebohm.com, 519-667-786924 Main St. N., Bay eld RaeAnn Design:kryart.com, 519-525-2515 63 River Rd., Grand Bend Sunset Arts: raeanndesign.com, 519-319-0823 63 River Rd., Grand BendMain Street Gallery: sunsetarts.info, 519-238-69144 Main St. N., Bay eld Richman Gallery:facebook.com/ 30 Alberta St., Grand Bend Treehaus Canada Studio:mainstreetgallerybay eld huronart.com, 519-238-6213 Grand Bend, treehauscanada.ca519-565-2048 226-678-5118 Victor Alderson Studio Gallery: 14 Main St. W., Grand Bend victoralderson.com, 226-927-7508 A R TSGAL LERY Photography: Alan Vallely original artwork from the area’s top artistswww.sunsetarts.info 63 River Road grand bend It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 37

CVuullttuBue raree For Music LoversSince 1919, Grand Bend's Main Beach has been a popular venue for live music. First with the Lakeview Casino,which operated for ve decades until 1969, then with Canada Day Celebration events and now with the additionof Summer Sunset Sounds. Since 2014, this successful and popular concert series has offered beach-goersSunday and holiday Monday performances in July and August. Construction of a permanent stage - the RotaryCommunity Stage - was completed in 2016.Bach Music Festival (Exeter): The Grand Opening performance Summer Sunset Sounds (GrandFounded by Artistic Director Gerald will feature baritone John Avey Bend): Popular and up-and-comingFagan in 2010, this event brings top (Metropolitan Opera) with legendary Canadian performers take the stageOntario performers from the Classical pianist Marlene Fagan. at 7pm Sundays except on longMusic World to Exeter. This year's weekends, when concerts are onfestival runs from July 6-16 and with The Gala Closing performance will Holiday Mondays. Each concert featuresa nod to Canada's 150th Birthday feature more than 200 musicians. an opening act followed by a headlinerwill celebrate \"Our Home and bachfestival.ca, 519-235-2565 ext. performance. FREE event - donationsNative Land\". 223 (box of ce). welcome. summersunsetsounds.ca, 519-238-1472.Leading talents to appear at this Canada Day Celebrations &year’s festival include virtuoso pianist Fireworks (Grand Bend): Headliner JAM SESSIONS, OPEN MICS &Leopold Erice, world champion band takes the stage from 8pm until OTHER MUSICAL OFFERINGS the reworks display at 10pm. FREE Patio dining while enjoying live ddler Shane Cook (performing with event - donations welcome. musical performances is a popularlocal legend Jerry Smith), and world canadadaygrandbend.ca summertime activity.class cellist Cameron Crozman with 519-238-2001.his $12-million Stradivarius cello! Grand Bend: Look for performance announcements posted on yersYou Don’t Want to Miss Summer Sunset Sounds (Grand Bend) – July 3, 9, 16, 23 & 30; August 7, 13, 20 & 27, 2017; September 4, 2017 Bach Music Festival (Exeter) – July 6-16, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65.38 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

and signs around town and plan to attend at Midori Sushi,Oakwood Resort, Pinery Antique Flea Market, SmackwaterJack's Taphouse, The Sandbar & Grill, Aunt Gussie’s, Gablesand The Colonial.Bay eld: Look for performance announcements from TheAshwood Bourbon Bar & Restaurant, Black Dog Village Pub& Bistro and The Docks Restaurant & Bar. „ It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 39

C40 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

CVuullttuBue raree For CFourltAuratlLEovxeprlsorersDISCOVER began with two private donations to children living in remote areas ofLOCAL HISTORY and continues to grow by accepting Northern Ontario from 1926 to 1967. donations of artifacts that help tell Enjoy a hands-on experience of anARKONA LIONS MUSEUM the area’s history. Main galleries open early 20th-Century classroom as well& INFORMATION CENTRE year-round; outdoor buildings open as how the teacher's family of sevenThe Museum houses Devonian Era mid-April to mid-December. lived on the rail car. Open Victoriafossils and aboriginal artifacts found lambtonmuseums.ca Day Saturday to the last Weekend inin the Rock Glen Conservation Area. 10035 Museum Rd., Grand Bend September. Thursday through SundayVisitors and amateur paleontologists 519-243-2600 and Holiday Mondays 11am - 4pm.have found many fossils in the centralhuron.com/schoolcarexposed beds dating back 350 million LUCAN AREA HERITAGE 76 Victoria Terrace, Clintonyears. Open April to October. & DONNELLY MUSEUM 519-482-39978680 Rock Glen Rd., Arkona, The museum is dedicated to theApril-October call 519-828-3071 preservation and retelling of the ST. JOSEPHNovember-March call 519-235-2610 most famous historical events of the MUSEUM & ARCHIVES Lucan area, such as the founding of Hosted by the Hessenland CountryFOREST LAMBTON MUSEUM Wilberforce by a Black community from Inn, the Museum contains information,Located in the former Forest Home Cincinnati, the arrival and settlement photographs and digital scans ofBakery building, the museum focuses of the area by Irish immigrants and the original documents about the Huronon themed exhibits. Open by chance famous Donnelly murders, recounted Tract, the City of St. Joseph, the St.or appointment. in song, story and plays throughout Joseph Canal, Narcisse Cantin, St.8 Main St. N., Forest Canada. Open May to Thanksgiving. Joseph’s rst families and Saint André.519-786-3239 donnellymuseum.com The Memorial Park (Hwy. 21 & CR. 171 Main St., Lucan 84) displays historical informationalLAMBTON HERITAGE MUSEUM 519-227-0756 plaques and two statues, one of St.Opened in 1978, the museum works Joseph and another of Saint André.to preserve and interpret Lambton SLOMAN SCHOOL ON WHEELS Open by chance or appointment.County’s history. There are two main RAILCAR MUSEUM stjosephmuseum.cagalleries and 7 outdoor historical The original 100-plus-year-old wooden 72981 Bluewater Highwaybuildings to explore. The collection train car once brought an education 519-236-7707You Don’t Want to Miss150 Years of Lambton County Quilts, Lambton Heritage Museum – May 13-Sept. 30, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 41

CVuullttuBue rareeOntario’s indigenous people call themselves the Anishinabek Nation (the “Anishinaabe”) and comprise39 First Nation communities. Kettle Point or Wiiwkwedong is unceded territory (meaning ownership wasnot surrendered) that runs along Lake Huron’s shoreline from Lambton Shores to Sarnia. Of cially knownas the Chippewas of Kettle & Stony Point, the community has a population of about 2,108.HOW KETTLE POINT a speci ed role within the nation. The fur traders in the 1600s upset theGOT ITS NAME Crane clan are the traditional chiefs; balance of peace between the fourThe First Nation is named for Kettles the Loon clan are the sub-chiefs; the indigenous groups. Traditionalor concretions formed millions of Turtle clan are the mediators; the Bear economic competitors, the Frenchyears ago. Unique to only three clan are the herbalists and guardians; and English allied themselves withlocations in the world, these spherical the Hoof clan are the peacemakers; different indigenous groups – therock formations are caused by erosion the Martin clan are the warriors and French with the Anishinaabe and theof underlying shale beds. The Kettles the Bird clan are the spiritual leaders. British with the Iroquois. The Neutrals,have cultural and spiritual signi cance so-called by Samuel de Champlainto the Anishinaabe. Traditional stories HISTORY for their peacekeeping role betweenteach that the Kettles are Thunderbird Four indigenous groups lived the Huron, Anishinaabe and Iroquois,eggs and Thunderbirds are powerful in Southwestern Ontario – the were eradicated by the Iroquoisspirits that bring rain to the land and Anishinaabe, the Huron, Neutrals when guns were sold for pelts. Theits people. The point is said to be the and Iroquois. Wampum agreements Iroquois then turned against thenesting place for the Thunderbirds. between the four groups declared Huron, who were nearly decimated the shared rights of all to use the by the mid 1600s. The Huron edCULTURE & BELIEFS land and its resources to feed their southwest seeking Anishinaabe aidAnishinaabe cultural practices are people. Products were fashioned and war broke out between thecentred on the “Seven Grandfathers” from local resources such as ints for remaining Huron, their Anishinaabeteachings of Wisdom, Love, Trust, tools and weapons and “wampum” allies and the Iroquois. AlthoughRespect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility beads from shells. Wampum beads, the Anishinaabe were successful inand Truth. The Seven Grandfathers a form of gift exchange, were used pushing the Iroquois back to theirare also the core of the Anishinaabe’s for storytelling, ceremonial gifts and territories along the St. Lawrence River,seven clan cultural structure. The the recording of important treaties the Huron didn’t survive the con ict. „seven clans – Crane, Loon, Turtle, and events.Bear, Hoof, Martin and Bird – each play For more information, visit First contact with French and British kspcommunityculture.caYou Don’t Want to MissKettle & Stony Point Competition PowWow, Kettle Point Park – July 8 & 9, 2017See Festivals & Events for more events, dates, times and details, pages 54 to 65.42 grandbendtourism.com | 1-888-338-2001

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WalkingTourMuch of Forest was originally given in land grants to United of ForestEmpire Loyalists by the British Crown in recognition of theirloyalty and assistance during the American Revolution(1775-1783). Forest was established in 1859 with the opening of the Grand Trunk Railway. Thetown’s name was given to the station by railroad authorities due to dense surrounding bush.1. THE STATION LIBRARY 8. PRIVATE HOME family that built it; was site of town’sThe rst railway station and freight 16-18 King St. E. — Home was former department store. Many bricklayingroom were used for church services Baptist Church built by Primitive TLJMMT
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before the churches were built. In Methodist in 1877. 1904 - sold to the second level Italianate paired windows1985, a library was constructed in the Baptist congregation. and large and complex top cornicelikeness of the old railway station. (now covered).A caboose was installed to add 9. FLAVIN BROTHERS HOMEauthenticity. Today, the Forest Garden 59 Broadway St. — 1880 - home 15. CARNEGIE LIBRARY, 1911Club is responsible for the beautiful built. 1887 - family came to Forest and 12 Main St. N. — Council requestedlandscaping on the grounds. opened tailoring business. May, 1964 $3,000 from Carnegie Institute to - Forest Lambton Museum opened at build a library. Town was to provide2. 64 KING STREET this site. the lot and $500 annual maintenanceThis is one of the “truly regal homes in fee. July 1911, council looked toForest”. This house has had extensive 10. RONA secure site for the construction andrenovations in 1946, 1980 and most Site of former Hamilton & Prout selected 12 Main Street North, besiderecently in 2005 and 2006, when Lumber Company. Later operated the Town Hall. Library built for $4,765current owners Glen and Joy Starkey Forest Planing Mills producing and is one of 111 Carnegie librariesprepared to open Through Windows sawmill lumber and custom in Ontario. 1987 – when new libraryPast B & B. manufactured windows and doors. built, old Carnegie library sold and 1890 - installed steamer generator for has been home to several businesses.3. FIRST ROMAN mill and provided power for village Building recognized as an historicalCATHOLIC CHURCH, 1866 lighting. 1994 - former McCahill Mill building under Ontario’s Heritage Act.10 Jefferson St. W. — May 30, 1893, demolished (located in vicinity).St. Christopher’s cornerstone placed on 16. RUMFORD BAKERY, 1884.Main St. N. The new St. Christopher’s 11. CHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCH 8 Main St. N. — Site occupied byrecently constructed on Union Street 20 Main St. S. — Church cost $3,000 bakery for years. 1880 - Edwardnext to Canadian Tire Store. to build. Emily Murphy, wife of rst Rumford opened bakeshop and rector, was an early feminist and rst confectionery. 1906 – current building4. FOREST UNITED female magistrate in British Empire built. 2009 - purchased by Forest-CHURCH, 1927 (1916). Member of the famous Lambton Museum.21 James St. N. — Church formed by “Persons Case” (1929). Appears onuni cation of James Street Methodists, Canadian postage stamp (1985). 17. SHAW BLOCK, 1882Central Congregationalists and a few Present day Bargain Store andPresbyterians. 12. “KILLANEN” CDS Pharmacy. Block has had AND “GLENRAVEN” many owners and functions.5. THE GOSPEL HALL, 1887 17 and 19 Main St. — John and Fred Second oor extensively renovated31 Main St. N. — Site of the Shaw built two of the most attractive in recent years.Presbyterian church built 1867. Sold homes in town. Both homes built ofin 1891 to become the Gospel Hall. white brick. “Glen Raven” built in high 18. KIWANIS KINETO THEATRE Victorian style (“Second Empire”), 24 King St. W. — 1875. Munro6. ST. JAMES PRESBYTERIAN characterized by multi-coloured brothers built present 2-storeyCHURCH, 1891 slate Mansard roof. Later, top storey building; third level added later. 190519 Main St. N. — Present removed to create a cottage style. - George Lundy and Floyd Rumfordcornerstone laid in 1890 with church started a motion picture business.dedication in 1891. 13. FOREST STANDARD “Kineto” name comes from type of 1 King St. W. — Newspaper’s of ce equipment used. Used for stage7. PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, 1875 located in former CIBC. 1911 - shows and motion pictures. 197624-26 Prince St. — Present Stoddard’s grocery store torn down to - Kiwanis Club bought theatre andPentecostal Church built in 1875 by build the CIBC. members now maintain and operateBaptist Community. The Salvation theatre. One of the few independentArmy moved the church from their 14. MAYLOR BUILDING, 1884 theatres in existence today. „barracks (former Baptist Church 2-4 King St. E. — One of Forest’son King Street). 1939 - sold to the architectural gems. Named for thePentecostal Church for $500. It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 45

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WalkingTour of Grand Bend1. THE COLONIAL HOTEL quarters below again. One young 8. COCO’S1 Main St. — Built prior to 1880; waitress recalls earning a $10 tip to 62 Main St. — Formerly The Hotelformerly called the Brenner House iron a white shirt for a customer so he Imperial, constructed in 1905 byafter early proprietor – Joe Brenner. could look good on a Saturday night! Harry Bossenberry, replacing earlierOldest established hotel in Grand frame building called The Woodbine.Bend. For years, a large carbide lamp 5. GIFT OF ART First hotel on Lake Huron’s easternmounted on the verandah lit the main 21 Main St. — Built at the request shore to have hot and cold water inintersection, the necessary chemicals of the then Liberal MP in 1936 by all rooms. The 3-storey hotel boastedfor which were stored in a cement W.H. Love with white ash grown large rooms and rates of $6-8 a week.shed on the riverbank – which still on his farm. One Halloween night, Autobus brought train passengersFYJTUT
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2. WELCOME ARCH cents a letter. During WWII mail was RD’s and Hotel Mainstreet.Main Street — Erected in 1927; the only means of communicationrebuilt in the 1960s; rebuilt again and Port Franks workers walked to 9. OAK LODGEin 2010 as part of Main Street’s town for mail. 67 King St. — Oldest cottage inrejuvenation program. Grand Bend’s original core, built in 6. TENDER SPOT 1898 by John Spackman (Exeter),3. RIPPLES FASHIONS 20 Main St. — 1912 - known as named Dotheboys Hall from a9 Main St. — 1902-13 - William The Bake Shop, owned by Frank Dickens’ novel. Spackman boughtAmos, a Londoner, operated The Geromette (baker/confectioner). surrounding 26 acres for $450,Amos Emporium offering a variety Geromette made year-round constructing an of ce and 12 cottagesof goods, post of ce and telephone deliveries by horse-drawn wagon, for a cottage/recreational centre.service. Mrs. Amos sold hats and blowing a whistle to announce his William Levitt (Exeter) purchasedladies’ made-to-measure items. A arrival. Also had a Lunch Room and and continued construction anddairy cow, kept behind the store, offered “a tasty lunch at any time”. land holdings to 45 acres from 1902escaped one day only to be chased Transitioned to Wally’s Meats then until George Eccleston (London)down Main Street across the beach the Tender Spot. purchased property in 1916 forand out onto the pier before $9,100. Lakeview House, lower end ofbeing corralled. 7. J DEE’S SUMMERHOUSE Main Street and part of this project, 23 Main St. — Behind J Dee’s are was a summer boarding-house with4. AKSENCE remnants of Wondergrove Roller stables for guests’ horses. Eccleston6 Main St. — What is now akSence Rink, a popular 1940s, 50s and 60s built Main Street (1917) and rstGift Shop & Cafe, previously The recreational facility. Roller skates were dance hall on the beach.Aria & The Shore Shop, prior to clamped to shoes and tightened bythat Periwinkles and originally The key; often loosened during use to 10. LAKEVIEW CASINOTreasure & Tea Room, had also been amusement of on-lookers. In rear Beach — Great signi cance to Grandknown as the Riverside Restaurant. patio, see rink’s patterned terrazzo Bend’s history and development.The shop was run by Marge Brown oor and ‘old oak tree’ where skaters Opened July 29, 1917 to music of thein the 1950s, with a main level carved their initials. Lombardo Boys. Over ve decades,restaurant, kitchen below and staff hosted big bands such as Louis It Starts At The Beach... and ends Where You Want! | ARTS & CULTURE 47

Walking Tour of Grand BendArmstrong, Glen Miller Orchestra, 11. MAIN BEACH as “Old Ausable Channel”, fed byBert Niosi, Gordie Tapp, Haines 1920s - Henry Ford held annual springwater. 1905 – timber cribworkSisters, Wally Koster, Stan Patton, company picnics on Grand Bend’s pier built to prevent silt and sandJuliet, Lionel Thornton, Tommy beach. 2008 beach enhancements from blocking harbour. Later, cribworkDorsey, Rudy Vallee and McKinney’s (boardwalk, playground, splash pad, encased by concrete and south pierChocolate Dandies. gazebo & landscaping) continue the added to protect harbour. 1908- beach tradition. Today, beach enjoysEric McIlroy, Eccleston’s son-in-law, Blue Flag status. (BlueFlag.org) ourishing shing industry saw A.W.continued as proprietor with jitney Selkirk Fish Company of Port Hurondancing (pay-as-you-dance). Day- 12. THE PIER (Michigan) send a tug three timestime visitors enjoyed baseball at 1892 – Channel dug by horse-teams weekly to collect sh catch. Pickerel,ball diamond behind Casino, rented and scraper-buckets to create Grand white sh and herring were plentiful.bathing suits and purchased giftware. Bend’s harbour and drain farmland 1913 - run of sturgeon enteredBuilding hosted Sunday Church subject to ooding. Channel the River, some 5-feet in length.services. McIlroy also operated removed Ausable River’s sharp Excursion boats with US visitorsMerrywoods Racehorse Farm turn, increasing its width for boats. frequently visited - pictured here is(Highway 21). Also cut off 21km of river owing the steamboat “Arabian” docked at south to Port Franks, today known the pier (1900). „(Reprinted with thanks to Grand Bend Historical Society volunteers. Visit Grand Bend’s Welcome Centre for the full brochure.)5IF
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