events Archives - Wandering Wellington County

The Polar Express Train Ride

November 22, 2019 by nancy Leave a Comment

The Waterloo Central Railway Village Station in St. Jacobs hosts some wonderful Holiday rides. Walking towards the venue, you could see the glowing lights from the Christmas decor.

Bells could be heard jingling in the darkness of the evening sky. One of the smiling attendees from the previous Polar Express train ride said, “Enjoy your time, you will love it, it was so amazing!”

Entering the warmth of the building, there were Children dressed in pajamas clutching hands with their parents some were browsing the Polar express memorabilia and perhaps wondering what the night would entail.

The lights dimmed, smoke began to fill the room and our evening at the Polar Express began as actors began to tell the story of the popular Christmas book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Entering train C, there were festive Christmas lights decorating the interior of the 1950’s old style train. We were met with the actors in costume greeting us all with smiles as we found our seating arrangements.

The conductor said, “All Aboard, we are embarking on a trip to the North Pole, please have your tickets ready!”

Rolling out of the station we all knew we were in for a special evening as the conductor began to inspect the golden tickets, walking up and down the aisle performing his golden ticket duties.

Attendees can enjoy a 1 hour train ride to the North Pole in the comfort of cozy seating while The Polar Express is read, hot chocolate and treats are served, carols are sang and everyone receives a gift and visit from SANTA.

The acting was really well done along with all of the details taken in to account to make the ride so memorable for Children of all of all ages.

Tickets are limited so be sure to check out the website and pre book your ride, Waterloo Central Railway, https://waterloocentralrailway.com/the-polar-express-train-ride/.

One of the last impressions I heard on the loudspeaker was, “What matter’s most is not where you are going, but that you got on!”

This annual family fun Polar Express train ride along with the Santa train ride experience takes place from Mid November only until Mid December, so get ready to make one of the most memorable experience’s your family will have this holiday season.

Talk soon,

Nancy

5 Things to do this Weekend in Wellington County!

September 24, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

This time of year the mornings are cooler but still warm enough to wear only a light sweater or two, when attending one of the many events going on in our community. Where is the sunshine the weather reporter promised us today with a high of 20…..MMMM I think they were wrong again.

Well this is not my favorite time of year with the shorter days and the cooler nights. However the leaves are beautiful, with stunning colors dotting the harvested landscapes of the rural communities. There is a lot going on in the Wellington County community this Fall, here are 5 top things you can mark on your calendars, and take advantageous of all of the adventures in our backyard!

FALL RURAL ROMP (September 29th 10-4pm)

There is a wonderful self guided tour https://www.wellington.ca/en/business/tr-fallruralromp.aspx. Print out the Map, fill the gas tank, grab a coffee and explore.

2. Fergus – Elora Studio Tour (September 22-23 / 29-30th 10-4pm)

Ever wondered what an artist’s studio looks like? Now is your chance to check out fabulous artisans in Elora Fergus. Here is the link for more information and a map to follow. https://elorafergusstudiotour.com/

3. Culture Days (September 28, 29, 30)

This is a Canada wide event with the local areas in Wellington County hosting tons of great, free cultural events. https://culturedays.ca/en/2018-activities/search/grid?location=city&postal_search=&postal_radius=25&province=&city_search=fergus+elora&city_radius=25&region_search=4801&search_all_activities=&day=&day%5B%5D=2018-09-28&day%5B%5D=2018-09-29&day%5B%5D=2018-09-30&start_time=&name=&organizer=&language=&wheelchair=0&type=&type%5B%5D=&category=&category%5B%5D=&keyword=&query=

4. Donkey Sanctuary Open Day – (September 30)

You have to go visit this amazing donkey sanctuary and maybe adopt your very own donkey? https://www.guelphmercury.com/events/8881954-749859-donkey-sanctuary-open-day/

5. Aberfoyle Market (Saturday’s & Sunday’s)

Why not browse at the many vendors at this great outdoor market, open weekends. https://aberfoyleantiquemarket.com/

Talk soon

Nancy

Riverfest Elora 2018

August 20, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

Have you ever attended RiverFest in Elora? I hope you said YES; this is my 3rd year as an attendee at this amazing musical event which takes place along the banks of the Grand River in Elora. They have been entertaining music lovers for 10 years and this was the biggest one yet, with the tens of thousands grooving back and forth under the moonlight!

The 3 day event takes place on the 3rd week in August, with local festival presenters working year round to bring this incredible weekend show to the town of Elora. The weather was perfect this year, just a little drizzle of rain on the Friday night with the opening act JULY TALK, and Saturday evening was FLAMING LIPS and another big act was BLUE RODEO on Sunday night.

A lot of other local talented bands such as Boo Radley Project, Bearskins, and Madison Galloway to name a few, kept the 3 stages rocking all weekend. I had the opportunity to take in the Flaming Lips on Saturday night, and it felt surreal. When I looked up into the sky all you could these big colorful balls in the air with the biggest disco ball shining light on them along with huge blow up figures. The crowd just roared when they came on stage, I must admit I had never heard of them, but walked away a new fan.

There were a lot of really cool vendors from henna tattoos, jewelery and fashions. Check out my chat with the fashion designer, StudioKampino, who designs her own line of upcyled clothing.

You can check out my FB page for the interview, https://www.facebook.com/wanderingwellingtoncounty/?hc_ref=ARRFC5ximMqK54VfugPsRM4yY8NMd2cx6XwPD7T9SXfBQm_o6CRc5TavmKdkAO21WqQ. If you have never been before to this event, mark your calendar for next years event, it is family friendly with a host of food vendors, so bring your appetite. One of the great things is there is a ban on plastic bottles at the event, you will see everyone walking around with reusable mugs. They fully support green initiatives which help save our environment such as the, “SAVE THE WATER Campaign”. This year the blue mugs were easy to spot as this is the color of the beautiful water flowing from the Grand River along the boardwalk of the event.

Talk soon ~

Nancy

Wellington County Festival & Events Guide (Summer) 2018

May 28, 2018 by nancy Leave a Comment

WELLINGTON COUNTY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS GUIDE

EXPERIENCE WELLINGTON COUNTY Welcome to Wellington County. Get to know us better as you explore our back roads, visit our quaint towns and find your escape in our rural Ontario countryside. We have food that will require a second helping, breathtaking natural landscapes, an arts and culture scene to be envied and some of the coolest people you have yet to meet. Visit, visit again and make yourself at home. Show us your Wellington County. Get social and use hashtags for your chance to win. #experiencewellington

CULTURE HIGHLAND GAMES WHERE TRADITIONS ARE TRADITION. You may feel like you have been transported to another time or place, but don’t worry there are many opportunities to experience remarkable events in Wellington County. Find your festival at Visit the Experience Wellington Website Gather, compete and celebrate at the Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Fergus, Ontario.

FOOD AND DRINK FOODIE FEST THE TABLE IS SET and the food is ready. Pull up your chair, we have a place waiting for you. In Wellington County we turn ingredients into adventure, find your new favourite and taste your way across the County. The Taste Real Local Food Fest celebrates all things food in Guelph and Wellington County.

Visit Visit the Taste Real website RURAL ROOTS ON THE FARM A NEW EXPERIENCE can be found at each bend in the road. Wellington County offers a chance to plant your feet, breathe in the fresh air and see what life on the farm really means. Let the Taste Real Local Food Map be your guide. Get yours at Visit the Taste Real Website Take part in the Spring and Fall Rural Romps, self-guided farm and food tours.

NATURAL LANDSCAPES GET OUTSIDE A MORNING OUT on the lake, an afternoon hike through the forest, or an evening under the stars. Wellington County gives you time to slow down, reconnect with nature and escape your everyday. Guelph Lake is one of five Grand River Parks in Wellington County, Visit the Grand River Website MUSIC FESTIVAL FAVOURITES THE SOUNDTRACK in Wellington County is rich, diverse and eclectic. Find the beat and be prepared to have the music take you away. This summer plan to attend Hillside Festival, Riverfest Elora and Elora Festival. Check out Visit the Experience Wellington Website

CHARM COUNTY TREASURES SPEND SOME TIME roaming through antique shops, strolling village streets and cruising County roads. Stay over in a charming bed and breakfast and beco • Elora Culinary Walking Tour • Elora Sculpture Project • Fergus Grand Theatre • Grand River Raceway, Elora • Harriston Town Hall Theatre • Headwaters Stable Tour, Erin • Hillsburgh Heritage Walking Trail • John Webb Gallery, Harriston • Minto Arts Gallery, Harriston • Mount Forest Museum and Archives • Norgan Theatre, Palmerston • OLG Slots, Elora • Ontario Steam Heritage Museum, Puslinch • Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum • The Gorge Cinema, Elora • Wellington County Museum and Archives SEASONAL • Aberfoyle Antique Market Sundays, April 29 – October 28, Puslinch • Donkey Sanctuary Sundays, May – October, Puslinch • Drayton Festival Theatre May 16 – October 14, Drayton • Elora Skyrider Zipline June 2 – September 30, Elora Gorge • Lynes Blacksmith Shop By appointment, June 1 – September 30, Kenilworth • McClintock’s Water Ski School May 15 – October 15, Puslinch Lake • Monster Month October 1 – 31, Downtown Elora • Strom’s Farm Harvest Fun Area September – October, Guelph Eramosa • Simple Pleasures for the Summer Wednesdays, July 4 – August 29, Wellington County Museum and Archives •

FARMERS’ MARKETS • Erin Farmers’ Market McMillan Park, Village of Erin FRIDAYS, June 22 – September 29 • Rockwood Farmers’ Market and Live Music, 112 Main Street, Rockwood WEDNESDAYS, June 13 – October 3 • Elora Farmers’ Market Bissell Park, Elora SATURDAYS, May 5 – October 13 • Elora Farmers’ Market, Paddock Building, Grand River Raceway, Elora SATURDAYS, October 20 – December 22 • Minto Farmers’ Market, Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum SATURDAYS, June 2 – August 25 • Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market, 23 Brock Road South, Aberfoyle SATURDAYS, May 26 – October 27 • Wellington North Farmers’ Market, Victory Community Centre, Mount Forest FRIDAYS, May 25 – October 5 Dates subject to change. Please visit Visit the Experience Wellington Website APRIL • APRIL 6 National Tartan Day Concert, Fergus Grand Theatre • APRIL 8 Gallery Concert Series, Wellington County Museum and Archives • APRIL 8 Tartan Day, Downtown Fergus • APRIL 8 Tartan Day Historical Walking Tour, Downtown Fergus • APRIL 14 – 15 Elora Vintage and Antique Show, Elora Community Centre • APRIL 20 – 22 Guelph and District Kennel Club Dog Show, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • APRIL 20 – 28 Musical Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, Grand River Raceway, Elora • APRIL 26 Wordfest, Elora Centre For the Arts • APRIL 29 Grand Taste, Grand River Raceway, Elora MAY • MAY 3 Flutters, Frocks and Flowers, Main Street, Village of Erin • MAY 4 – 6 Elora Festival Annual Giant Book Sale, Elora Curling Club • MAY 4 – 6 Spring Rain Weekend,Belwood Hall • MAY 6 Dollhouse Miniatures Show and Sale, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • MAY 6 EW-CS High Tea and High Heels, St. Andrew’s Church, Hillsburgh • MAY 6 Elora Writers’ Festival, Wellington County Museum and ArchivesMAY 9 – 11 Fergu •

JUNE

6 – 8 Canadian National Fly-Fishing Champships, Centre Wellington • JUNE 9 Doors Open Erin, Various locations in the Town of Erin • JUNE 9 Drayton Kinettes, Super Hero Soiree, Ag Hall, Drayton Fairgrounds • JUNE 10 Donkey Day, The Donkey Sanctuary, Puslinch • JUNE 14 Aberfoyle Agricultural Society Chicken Barbeque, Puslinch Community CentreJUNE 15 Mapleton Custom Rodders Car Show, Moorefield Ball Diamonds • JUNE 16 Rotary Club of Erin presents “Ribfest”, McMillan Park, Village of Erin • JUNE 16 Doors Open Fergus and Elora, Various Locations across Fergus and Elora • JUNE 16 Doors Open Historical Walking Tours, Fergus and Elora • JUNE 16 Subaru Triathlon Series at Guelph Lake, Guelph Lake Conservation Area • JUNE 16 Touch a Truck, Harriston and Minto Community Centre, Harriston •

JUNE 20 – SEPTEMBER 1Insights, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JUNE 21 Sensational Elora’s Fabulous Fergus Pub Night, Four pubs throughout Fergus • JUNE 23 Puslinch Lake Alive Living Home Tour, Old Marina Restaurant, Puslinch • JUNE 23 Palmerston Handcar Races, Palmerston Railway Museum • JUNE 23 Party in the Park, Palmerston Lion’s Heritage Park • JUNE 24 Local Food Fest, Ignatius Jesuit Centre • JUNE 24 Celebrate Sunrise Summer Fundraiser, Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre, Puslinch • JUNE 24 Fergus Horticultural Society Garden Tour, Various locations across Fergus • JUNE 29 – 30 Clifford Classic Truck Show, Clifford Rotary Park • JUNE 29 – JULY 2 Arthur Optimists Canada Day Weekend Celebration, Arthur Fairgrounds and Community Centre • JUNE 30 Drayton Kinsmen Wing Night and Concert, Drayton Fairgrounds

JULY

Orton’s Annual Canada Day Celebration, Orton • JULY 1 Get in Touch for Hutch, Arthur Community Centre • JULY 1 Puslinch Canada Day Pancake Breakfast and Fireworks, Puslinch Community Centre • JULY 1, Canada Day Fireworks, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • JULY 1 Dominion Day Elora, Downtown Elora and Bissell Park • JULY 1 Canada Day Celebration, Crossroads Life Church, Harriston • JULY 1 Canada Day Fireworks Display, Drayton Fairgrounds • JULY 2 – 6 Arthur SU Sports Camp, Arthur Community Centre • JULY 4 – AUGUST 29Twilight at Templin, Templin Gardens, Fergus • JULY 5 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 6 Annual Wiener Dog Race, Grand River Raceway, Elora • JULY 6 – 15 Elora Community Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park, Bissell Park, Elora • JULY 7 FEDS Annual Special Needs Soccer Festival, Victoria Park, Fergus • JULY 7 – 8 Black Sheep Contemporary Textile Festival, Elora Centre For the Arts • JULY 8 Conestogo Lake Annual Fishing Derby, Conestogo Lake Conservation Area • JULY 12 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 13 – 15 Hillside Festival, Guelph Lake Conservation Area • JULY 13 – 29 Elora Festival, Various locations in Elora • JULY 19 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 20 – 22 Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, 514 Main Street North, Mount Forest • JULY 26 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • JULY 28 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • JULY 28 Fergus Medieval Faire, Downtown Fergus

AUGUST

AUGUST 2 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 3 – 5 Jeff Davie Memorial 3-Pitch Tournament, Palmerston and Harriston Ball Diamonds • AUGUST 4 – 6 Pirate Fest, Marden Park • AUGUST 4 Sensational Elora’s Film on a Plate, The Gorge Cinema, Elora • AUGUST 6 Grand River Raceway Industry Day, Grand River Raceway, Elora • AUGUST 9 Music at the Museum, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 9 Pipes, Plaid and Pageantry Parade, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 12 Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Fergus Scottish Festival, Downtown Edition!, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Fergus Scottish Festival, Historical Walking Tours, Downtown Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 11 Psychic Fair, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 10 – 12 Drayton 161st Fair, ‘Best Pickin’ in Mapleton, Drayton Fairgrounds • AUGUST 11 Fergus Ghost Walk, The Bookery, Fergus • AUGUST 11 Downtown Harriston Street Party, Savour in the Street and Street Dance, Elora St. S, Harriston • AUGUST 17 -19 Riverfest Elora, Bissell Park, Elora • AUGUST 18 Spirit in the Hills Family Fun Day and Classic Car Show, Main Street, Hillsburgh • AUGUST 18 – 19 Classic Ford Truck Show, Arthur Fairgrounds • AUGUST 18 Mount Forest Agricultural Society 159th Annual Fall Fair, Mount Forest and District Sports Complex • AUGUST 22 – 26 Annual Palmerston Fair, Palmerston Fairgrounds • AUGUST 24 – 25 Grand River Truck and Tractor Pull, Grand River Raceway, Elora • AUGUST 24 – 25 Campin’ and Jammin’ in the Park, Drayton Fairground • AUGUST 25 Alma Car Show, Wallace Cummings Park, Alma • AUGUST 26 Antique and Classic Car Show, Wellington County Museum and Archives • AUGUST 26 Tri Kids Triathlon, Centre Wellington Sportsplex, Fergus

There are over 200 festivals and events in Wellington County every year. Visit Visit the Experience Wellington Website, https://www.wellington.ca/en/business/resources/TasteReal2017/PDF-Files/2018-Festivals-and-Events-Guide—Accessible-Doc.pdf.

Talk soon,

Nancy