Southpoint Tourist Guide 2023

We Can Make This Place Your Home!

“The Direct Realty Group were there for us day and night, on the spot and with invaluable advice no matter what our requests or questions were. They knew their stuff and they were always available for showings, calls and advice when we needed them. They helped us buy our home in Kingsville, as well as, communicated/advised with our selling agent in Caledan. They helped make the entire process smooth and successful! It was very clear that they were genuine and that they really cared about our family’s needs and goals! They went above and beyond in so many areas of both transactions! Thank you Direct Realty Group! You totally helped with MOVING US

- Harry and Karen, Kingsville, ON

FORWARD!!!”

IVAN MARTIN*

MIKE GARGANTA*

DEVIN GARGANTA*

CATHIE PENNER*

Welcome!

Welcome to our area - we’re glad you’re here! There is so much to see and do.

If you love NATURE and BIRDING, be sure to visit one of our many parks including the renowned Point Pelee National Park.

If you love WATER, Lake Erie can be your playground. You won’t want to miss the spectacular sunsets over the lake.

If you love ARTS and CULTURE, you’ll want to check out the galleries, theatres, concerts and festivals.

If you love FOOD and DRINK, you will have a hard time choosing from the many incredible restaurants, wineries and breweries.

And if you love FRESH PRODUCE, you’ve come to the right area! Stop by a roadside stand to enjoy the bounty of our county.

FUN FACT:

Our area is located on the 42nd parallel, sharing the same latitude as northern California and Rome, and our nickname is the “Sun Parlour” of Canada.

WSO wows with wizardly wonder

OVERVIEW

POPULATION: 32,000

• Leamington is home to the largest concentration of greenhouses in North America.

• Leamington is a popular area for birders, with large numbers of avian enthusiasts “flocking” to the area each May.

HISTORY

• In 2010, an F1 tornado ripped through the south part of town along the Lake Erie shoreline.

• The Heinz factory operated in Leamington for 105 years, opening in 1909 and closing in 2014. You can still see the massive smoke stack near the corner of Oak St. and Erie St. The factory is now owned and operated by Highbury Canco.

FUN FACTS

• Leamington is called the “Tomato Capital of Canada”. In honour of this nickname, you will find a giant tomato in the middle of town at the intersection of Talbot St., Mill St. and Fox St. It was previously used as a tourist booth; however, it has been closed in recent years as it is in need of repairs.

• Award-winning scientist and environmentalist David Suzuki grew up in Leamington.

ATTRACTIONS

• Leamington Dock Promenade

• Leamington Marina

• Point Pelee National Park

• Sunset Amphitheatre

• Seacliff Park and Beach

FAQ

What are with the colourful lights at night?

If you happen to see the night sky glowing shades of pink or yellow, don’t worry - we promise it’s not an alien invasion. It’s light coming from one of the local greenhouses.

Seacliff Beach

Seacliff Park Splash Pad

Point Pelee National Park

BUY ONE CLASSIC SMOOTHIE GET ONE FREE!

BOGO REGULAR SIZE CLASSIC SMOOTHIE

Buy

BATTLE OF THE TACOS – CINCO DE MAYO - FRIDAY MAY 5

MONARCH CAFE - FRIDAY, MAY 12 - returns in October

DALE’S FRIDAY COFFEE HOUSE - FRIDAY, MAY 19 - returns in September

IMPROV NITE - SATURDAY, MAY 27 - returns in October

WALK, WINE, DINE - Presented by Rotary - THURSDAY, JUNE 15

OFFSITE EVENTS - Produced by The Bank Theatre

MUSIC ONTHE42

SUNSET AMPHITHEATRE – SEACLIFF PARK

Presented by Municipality of Leamington

SATURDAYS - JUNE 24 • JULY 1 • JULY 22 • JULY 29

S’AINTS CONCERT

SUNSET AMPHITHEATRE – SEACLIFF PARK

Presented by St. Clair College

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

MILL ST. MARKETS

Presented by Municipality of Leamington and LAC

FRIDAYS - JUNE 9 • AUGUST 18 • SEPTEMBER 15

Tickets and info...

POPULATION: 22,454

• Kingsville is known for its quaint downtown area filled with restaurants, breweries and shops.

• The town features many historic, Victorian homes including a number that have received official heritage designation.

HISTORY

• In the late 19th century, Kingsville became a popular destination for Canadian and American tourists. Entrepreneur Hiram Walker established a rail line from Windsor to Kingsville and built the Mettawas Hotel in Kingsville in 1889.

• Jack Miner, known as “the father of conservation”, established his famous bird sanctuary in Kingsville in 1904.

FUN FACTS

• A number of local breweries are named after the history of Kingsville, including The Banded Goose Brewery, named in honour of conservationist Jack Miner, and The Grove Brew House, named after a wooded area of Kingsville that was nicknamed Paradise Grove in the late 19th century.

• In recent years, Kingsville has hosted Open Streets on Saturday nights in the summer. A portion of Main Street and Division Street are closed to car traffic to allow for dining and activities on the streets.

ATTRACTIONS

• Cedar Beach • Cedar Island Marina

• Chrysler Greenway

• Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary

• Lakeside Park

For more information visit KINGSVILLE.CA and MYKINGSVILLE.CA

Cedar Island Marina

Lakeside Park

Jack Miner Sanctuary

POPULATION: 1000 OVERVIEW

• Cottam is a mostly residential hamlet with a growing number of shops and establishments.

• It is a popular residential area due to the town’s central location in Essex County and its proximity to Highway 3, allowing for easy access to Windsor and other parts of the county.

• Ridgeview Park is a central hub in the community offering a number of different activities and sports options including a splash pad and paved walking trail.

• Cottam falls under the governance of the Town of Kingsville and is currently undergoing a revitalization that will improve various aspects of the community.

FUN FACTS

• If you are into geocaching, you will find one at Cottam’s Rotary Park.

• The pond at Rotary Park is a popular location for ice skating in the winter.

ATTRACTIONS

• Ridgeview Park

• Rotary Park

For more information visit KINGSVILLE.CA

Rotary Club Park

Ridgeview Park Splashpad

Ridgeview Park Playground

OVERVIEW

POPULATION: 300 permanent residents / approximately 1500 in summer

• Pelee Island is 30 km south of Leamington and covers 10,000 acres. It is 12.5 km long and 6 km wide.

• Cars can be driven on Pelee Island and can be brought over on the ferry; however, spaces are limited and often sell out.

HISTORY

• Pelee Island was the home of Canada’s first commercial winery, Vin Villa, founded in 1866.

FUN FACTS

• Pelee Island is home to some of the most provincially rare plants and animals.

• The annual Pelee Island Winery Half Marathon is Canada’s most southerly half marathon. The popular event sells out quickly each year and has participants run around the island with the finish line at the winery.

For more information visit PELEE.ORG

Photo courtesy of the Corporation of the Township of Pelee

POPULATION: 2200

• As one of the oldest communities in the region, with roots going back to the Proclamation of 1792, the War of 1812 and the Underground Railroad, its history is a symbolic reflection of our Canadian heritage.

(Source: TourismEssex.ca)

HISTORY

• When John Graves Simcoe took up his post as the first LieutenantGovernor of Upper Canada, he divided the province into 19 counties. The southernmost county became Essex County and the settlement area along Lake Erie was divided into two named townships: Colchester and Gosfield. Colchester’s date of origin is thus tied to the Proclamation of 1792.

Being so near the American border but distant from urban populations, Colchester became a last stop on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used by African-American slaves to escape to Canada. Elijah McCoy, the son of two such freedom seekers, was born and raised here. Patented in July 1872, his revolutionary lubricating cup system had engine buyers soon asking for “The Real McCoy.”

(Source: TourismEssex.ca)

FUN FACTS

County Road 50 is the southernmost mainland road in Canada.

ATTRACTIONS

Colchester Beach

Colchester Marina

County Road 50

Walleye Derby

Wineries

Colchester Beach

OVERVIEW

POPULATION: 2700

• Harrow is a community rich in agriculture.

• The town is a popular stop for those taking a trip to the local wineries.

• Harrow is home to the Government of Canada’s Research and Development Centre, the largest greenhouse research complex facility in North America.

HISTORY FUN FACT

• When Hiram Walker established the railway between Windsor and Kingsville in the 1880s, it included a stop in Harrow that eventually saw Harrow go from a quiet village to a busy town.

• The Harrow Fair, established in 1854, is one of Ontario’s oldest fairs. It runs Labour Day weekend and features events like tractor pull, horse show, lawnmower races, mom calling contest, pie auction, crafters alley, food and entertainment.

For more information visit

Harrow Fair

OVERVIEW

POPULATION: 3060

• Wheatley is known as the “Freshwater Fishing Capital of the World”. It is the largest fresh water commercial fishing port in the world and it is home to a number of fish processing facilities.

HISTORY

• Wheatley was named after the first settler, Richard Wheatley. Prior to being incorporated as Wheatley, the village was called Pegtown.

• Wheatley has been the site of two explosions that have caused extensive damage to the downtown area. The first occurred in 1936 and the second occurred in August 2021. Despite the setback, the town has rallied and some of the businesses affected by the blast have re-opened with others still working to re-open.

FUN FACTS

• Wheatley was once featured as an answer on Jeopardy.

• The iconic Maid of the Mist sightseeing boat that brought tourists to the base of Niagara Falls was built at Hike Metal in Wheatley. Hike Metal also built the boat that replaced the Maid of the Mist when it was retired in 2013.

ATTRACTIONS

• Two Creeks Conservation Area

• Wheatley Arena Splash Pad

• Wheatley Harbour

• Wheatley Provincial Park

For more information visit CHATHAM-KENT.CA

Wheatley Harbour

Two Creeks Conservation Area Summer Concert Series

Wheatley Arena Splash Pad

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

PLEASE NOTE: The following is a list of events that were scheduled as of press time in early spring. As dates may change and events may be added or cancelled, please refer to the websites below for the most up-to-date information.

Municipality of Kingsville: kingsville.ca | visitkingsvilleontario.ca

Municipality of Leamington: leamington.ca

Municipality of Essex: essex.ca

Municipality of Chatham-Kent: chatham-kent.ca | visitck.ca

Township of Pelee: pelee.org

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island: visitwindsoressex.com

EPIC Wineries: epicwineries.com

MAY

Festival of Birds

May 1 - 22

Point Pelee National Park

Renaissance Festival

May 13 - 14

Leamington Fairgrounds

Leamington Fair

May 25 - 28

Highland Games

Leamington Fairgrounds

JUNE

Highland Games

June 24

Jack Miner Sanctuary, Kingsville

Lavender Festival

June 24 - 25

Serenity Lavender Farm, Harrow

Festival of Birds

Renaissance Festival

JULY

Canada Day celebrations

Various events in all communities

Arts At The Marina

July 1 - 2

Lakeside Marina, Leamington

Explore The Shore

Canada Day

July 1 - 2

County Road 50

Rib Fest

July 21 - 23

Leamington Fairgrounds

AUGUST

Big Boyz Fishing Derby

August 3 - 7

Leamington Fair

Rib Fest

Wheatley Harbour, Wheatley Explore The Shore

Arts At The Marina

Hogs For Hospice

AUGUST

Hogs For Hospice

August 4 - 6

Seacliff Park, Leamington

Wheatley Fish Festival

August 4 - 6

Various locations, Wheatley

Sun Parlour Rodeo

August 5 - 6

1835 County Road 18, Ruthven

Greenway Jam

August 11 - 13

Mettawas Park, Kingsville

Wings Over Windsor

(Beach Edition)

August 26 - 27

Seacliff Beach, Leamington

SEPTEMBER

Harrow Fair

August 31 - Sept. 3

Harrow Fairgrounds

RCMP Musical Ride

Sept. 14 - 18

Leamington Fairgrounds

Greenway Jam

Ruthven Apple Festival

Sept. 30 - Oct. 1

Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens

OCTOBER

Migration Festival

October 20 - 22

Various locations, Kingsville

MULTIPLE DATES

Apple Festival

Mill Street Market

June 9, Aug. 15, Sept. 15

Mill Street, Leamington

Open Streets - Kingsville

July 8, July 15, July 29,

Aug. 19, Aug. 26

Open Streets - Cottam

July 22

Harness Racing

Aug. 13 - Nov. 5

Harness Racing

Leamington Raceway

Sun Parlour Rodeo

Migration Festival

Harrow Fair

Fish Festival

RCMP Musical Ride

Mill Street Market

PARKS & GREEN SPACE

COLCHESTER

Colchester Park - 100 Jackson Street

COTTAM

Rotary Park - County Road 34

Ridgeview Park - 124 Fox Street

HARROW

Fairgrounds Park - 243 McAfee Street

KINGSVILLE

Cedar Creek Conservation Area - 1559 Arner Townline

Cedar Island Park & Beach - 851 Cedar Island Drive

Lakeside Park - 315 Queen Street

Kennedy Woods - 332 Road 3 West

LEAMINGTON

Hillman Marsh - 1826 Mersea Road 2

Kopegaron Woods - County Road 34

Mersea Park - 651 Point Pelee Drive

Point Pelee National Park - 1118 Point Pelee Drive

Seacliff Park - 24 Seacliff Drive West

WHEATLEY

Two Creeks Conservation Area - 21638 1 Kent Road

Wheatley Provincial Park - 21116 Klondyke Road

CHRYSLER CANADA GREENWAY

The Chrysler Canada Greenway is a 48km multi-use trail that was previously an abandoned railway. The popular nature trail spans a large section of Essex County, passing through the communities of Ruthven, Kingsville and Harrow. It is most often used for hiking, biking, running and birding.

DOG PARKS

KINGSVILLE

Linden Beach Dog Park - 103 Golfview Drive

LEAMINGTON

Rotary Leash Free Dog Park - 435 Bevel Line

Point Pelee National Park

Colchester Park

Chrysler Greenway

BEACHES

COLCHESTER

Colchester Park - 100 Jackson Street

KINGSVILLE

Cedar Beach Conservation Area - 1031 Heritage Road

Cedar Island Beach - 851 Cedar Island Drive

LEAMINGTON

Point Pelee National Park - 1118 Point Pelee Drive

Seacliff Park - 24 Seacliff Drive West

SPLASH PADS

COLCHESTER

Colchester Park - 100 Jackson Street

COTTAM

Ridgeview Park - 124 Fox Street

HARROW

Fairgrounds Park - 243 McAfee Street

KINGSVILLE

Lakeside Park - 315 Queen Street

LEAMINGTON

Seacliff Park - 24 Seacliff Drive West

WHEATLEY

Wheatley Arena - 196 Erie Street North

PLAYGROUNDS

COLCHESTER

Colchester Park - 100 Jackson Street

COTTAM

Ridgeview Park - 124 Fox Street

HARROW

Fairgrounds Park - 243 McAfee Street

KINGSVILLE

Cedar Island Park & Beach - 851 Cedar Island Drive

Kingsville Recreation Complex - 1471 Jasperson Lane

Lakeside Park - 315 Queen Street

LEAMINGTON

Lakeside Marina - 90 Robson Road

Mersea Park - 651 Point Pelee Drive

Seacliff Park - 24 Seacliff Drive West

Cedar Island Beach

Kingsville Recreation Complex

Lakeside Marina

Seacliff Park

ART GALLERIES

KINGSVILLE

Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre 28 Division Street South

LEAMINGTON

Leamington Arts Centre 72 Talbot Street West

THEATRES

KINGSVILLE

Migration Hall 170 Main Street East

LEAMINGTON

The Bank Theatre 10 Erie Street South

ESSEX John R. Park Homestead

915 Essex County Road 50

KINGSVILLE

Canadian Transportation Museum

6155 Arner Townline

Kingsville Military Museum 145 Division Street South

CONCERT VENUES

KINGSVILLE

Grovedale Arts & Culture Centre

103 Park Street

Migration Hall 170 Main Street East

LEAMINGTON

Lakeside Marina and Rick Atkin Park 90 Robson Road

Sunset Amphitheatre 24 Seacliff Drive West

The Bank Theatre 10 Erie Street South

WHEATLEY

Two Creeks Conservation Area

21638 Kent Rd 1

Leamington Arts Centre

John R. Park Homestead

The Bank Theatre

Sunset Amphitheatre

44th Ruthven Apple Festival

Thanks to the support of the local community, the festival has raised nearly $1 Million to date for Community Living Essex County in support of people with an intellectual disability. For more information or to volunteer visit the Community Living Essex

event page or contact: Tony DeSantis: 519-776-6483, extension 246,

Ruthven Apple

Bike Rides & Beautiful Places

From Leamington to Pelee Island and EPIC wineries to the Windsor Riverfront and more! We have plenty of trails to explore in Windsor Essex, each with their own unique scenery and bike-friendly spots to discover.

visitwindsoressex.com/bike

West Shore Road | Pelee Island