Town of Bancroft

Bancroft

BEAUTIFUL ONTARIO TOWN IS A PLACE FOR ALL SEASONS

Scenic Bancroft (top) offers year-round activities (above), including the Rockhound Gemboree in the summer (opposite page, right), which takes place on the four days before the Civic Holiday in August, and skiing and snowboarding facilities in the winter. (Opposite page, left) The Millennium Park bridge.

Photos Courtesy of the Town of Bancroft

Story by Paul Jenkins, Mayor, Town of Bancroft

O

n behalf of the Town of Bancroft, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Rally of the Tall Pines. Welcome to one of the most beautiful and inspiring places you will ever find. Welcome to an area of grand vistas and abundant outdoor activities that is rich in geological and mineral history. Welcome to a vibrant artisan community that is overflowing with the cultural history of early European settlers and deeply rooted Algonquin and Metis communities.

We invite you to wander and seek out the many exhilarating experiences available. Discover why many have come to visit and never left. Bancroft is a community full of opportunity for residents, visitors and investors. Spend a day here and you’ll know exactly what we mean.

A special thank you to all the participants, volunteers and organizers of the Lincoln Electric Rally of The Tall Pines – it is because of you that the rally is so successful and we are very pleased to once again host and sponsor this wonderful event. Please enjoy, be safe and come back again!

The Lincoln Electric Rally of the Tall Pines is a rally unlike any other in North America. Since 1997, it has called Bancroft, ON home. The combination of Bancroft and the Canadian Rally Championship is a perfect pairing featuring 200 km of stages carved out of gnarly landscape left by an ancient mountain range called the Grenville.

Beneath Bancroft’s surface are hidden treasures of fossils, metamorphic specimens, semi-precious gems and gold. Yes, gold. The very gold that started Ontario’s gold rush in the 1860s. North Hastings enjoys the highest water-to-land ratio in Ontario. Like other recreational areas, there are countless lakes, rivers and streams.

The Madawaska and York rivers provide countless kilometres of uninterrupted waterways for serious paddlers and white water rafters, plus quieter routes for novices. Our waterways are teeming with various species of waterfowl, fish and fauna.

There are many charming restaurants, shops, artists’ studios and galleries throughout the area. The Bancroft Village Playhouse was once the town hall. The Old Railway Station has been restored to its former glory with a spectacular mineral museum. It is also the home of the Town of Bancroft and Visitor Information Centre.

Thousands of kilometres of mapped and groomed trails cater to the hiker, ATV or snowmobile enthusiast.

In our area, there are downhill skiing and snowboarding facilities, a natural luge hill, sled dog racing, a skateboard park and lots of cross-country trails too. At 8 Hastings Heritage Way, the Visitor Information Centre provides maps and guides for trails and natural wonders like waterfalls, chutes, wildlife trails and more. There are a series of driving routes that cover more than 500 km of scenic roads, in addition to guides on many of the area’s ghost towns, beaches, events and attractions.

Next summer, why don’t you join us for Canada Day celebrations in Riverside Park? Or, stop by the park on Saturday mornings from June to October, for the Bancroft Farmers Market. With more than 20 vendors, there is something for everyone! While in town, make sure you pack a picnic, or pick up a delicious lunch at one of our amazing eateries, then head up to Eagles Nest Park. This seasonal public park features a mix of scenic groomed and natural trails, including a fully accessible trail to the hawk-watch lookout, overlooking the spectacular Town of Bancroft and the mighty York River.

On the four days before the Civic Holiday Monday in August, Bancroft hosts Canada’s largest gem and mineral show each year, the Rockhound Gemboree. There is always a variety of interesting activities planned, including gold panning and workshops on taking raw minerals and transforming them into exquisite pieces, commonly known as the lapidary arts. The Rockhound Gemboree is a great opportunity to shop for something unique and special. In the fall, we welcome hundreds of cyclists for the Hilly Hundred Bike Races and of course, to view the fall colours from high atop Eagle’s Nest.

Whatever your interests, I promise you Bancroft will meet your needs! Visit Bancroft.ca for more information and we hope to see you again. TP