Festivals & Events
There's So Much To Do!

MAY

May 1, Friends Yard Sale
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org

May 22, Parade of Horse Breeds
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org
Learn the history of fifteen breeds, from miniatures and ponies to giant draught horses. After the Parade of Horses, head over to Cider Mill Farms to enjoy their Rock ‘N’ Horse Fest (www.rocknhorsefest.com).

May 27-29, War of 1812 Encampment
Maidstone Bicentennial Museum
1093 Puce Rd., Lakeshore
519-728-1587
www.townoflakeshore.on.ca
Re-enactors bring the War of 1812 to life. Activities for the whole family.

May 29, 3rd Annual Golf Tournament
Wildwood Golf & RV Resort
In support of Gesstwood Camp & Retreat Centre
519-825-3005
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

JUNE

June 4, Big Bike for Heart & Stroke
Setting off from The Brass Monkey,
19 Laird Ave., Essex
519-254-4345
www.bigbike.ca

June 4, Cottam Street Festival and Village-Wide Yard Sale
Village of Cottam
519-839-4734

June 4, Gesstwood Camp Garage Sale
Location TBA
519-776-7119
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

June 5, Purina Walk for Dog Guides
Hosted by Essex & District Lions Club
Sadler's Pond, Essex
519-776-8880
www.purinawalkfordogguides.com

June 10-11, Relay for Life (Canadian Cancer Society)
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-254-5116

June 11, 19th Annual Colchester Walleye Derby
Colchester Harbour, Colchester
519-738-4025
http://derby.hcslions.com
The Colchester Walleye Derby is the largest single day Walleye Derby in Southern Ontario with prizes totaling over $5,500.

June 12, Tiny Feet - Big Dreams Walkathon
Sadler's Pond, Essex
Five-kilometre walk benefitting the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit at Windsor Regional Hospital's Met Campus. Call for pledge sheets.
519-984-5698

June 12, Spring Fun on Wheels Car Show
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

June 12, McGregor Music Festival
Co-An Park, McGregor
Proceeds to Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation
519-253-3191

June 18-19, Ronstock
Suchiu Gallery
143 Keown Ave., Essex
519-776-5767
www.suchiu.com
Music, entertainment, food, gallery tours.

June 25-26, Spring Flea Market
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village 519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

June 30, “Help Send a Child to
Summer Camp” Pasta Dinner
Essex United Church
Proceeds to “Summer Camp Bursary” at Gesstwood Camp
519-776-8839
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

JULY

July 7 - 10, Essex Fun Fest
Arena Fairgrounds, Essex
www.essexfunfest.ca
Reconnect with family and friends during the annual homecoming festival, one of Ontario’s Top 100 festivals. Food, carnival rides and games, live entertainment nightly, talent contest, parade and Sunday night fireworks finale.

July 9, Essex BIA Classic Car Show
Downtown Essex, following Fun Fest Parade
519-776-9811
www.essexbia.com

July 13, An Evening at the Museum
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org

July 17, 3rd Annual All British Car Show
Canadian Transportation Museum
and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

July 23-24, Explore the Shore
Discover Historic County Rd. #50 from 12 to 5 p.m. A variety of participating businesses along County Rd. #50, near Colchester, will showcase their businesses and offer a variety of activities for the public to enjoy. Includes two conservation areas, wineries, farms, restaurants, and gift shops.

July 30, Essex County Plowing Match
Hosted by the Essex County Plowmen's Association
Location: Farm of Scott Douglas, 11th Concession and Gracie Sideroad (County Rd. 37), Leamington
519-839-5351

AUGUST

August 6-7, Blueberry Social & Lost Arts Festival
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
519-738-2029
www.erca.org
Learn a lost craft and enjoy local blueberries.

August 7, Lakeside Locavore Brunch
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
11a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
519-738-2029
www.erca.org
“Green your eats” as you learn about the locavore movement in Essex County.

August 12-14, 3rd Annual Art of Eating
Tecumseh Waterfront Park
www.artofeatingtecumseh.com

August 12-14, Essex County Steam
and Gas Engine Show
Co-An Park, McGregor
519-726-0606
www.essexsteamandgasengine.com
Features a parade on Saturday, various working displays, flea market, craft and food vendors and a bake sale. This year featuring “Unique equipment from days gone by” and a tractor balancing competition.
Please call for tours.

August 12-14, Southern Ontario Military Muster
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com
www.militarymuster.org
This annual event honours veterans of Canada's many conflicts, from the War of 1812 to the present, and highlights the important contributions made by Essex County during the Second World War.

August 21, Hawk Run (5 km walk or run)
Holiday Beach Conservation Area,
Harrow 519-776-5209, ext. 308
www.erca.org

SEPTEMBER

September 1-4, 157th Harrow Fair
519-738-3262
www.harrowfair.com
Celebrate the end of summer with a trip to the Harrow Fair! Competitions in livestock, produce, horticulture and baking divisions. Arts and crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment and great food!

September 4, Fall Fun on Wheels Car Show
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

September 10-11, Fall Arts & Crafts
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

September 16-18, Women’s Country Weekend
Gesstwood Camp and Retreat Center
Rejuvenate yourself in a tranquil setting with yoga, spa services, murder mystery & dinner.
519-776-8839
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

September 17-18, Festival of Hawks
Holiday Beach Conservation Area, Harrow
519-776-5209, ext. 308
www.erca.org

September 18, Meet the Dog Breeds
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org
Learn the history of different dog breeds and chat with dog owners.

September 18, Cottam Rotary Horse Show and Fall Festival
Ridgeview Park, Cottam
Starts with Pancake Breakfast, 8 am-4 pm.

September 18, ECFA Annual Farm Hiker Tour
A self-guided tour of agricultural and agri-food operations.
519-776-5159
www.ecfa.ca

September 24-25, Fall Flea Market
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

September 24-25, Ruthven Apple Festival
Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, Ruthven
519-776-6483
www.communitylivingessex.org
Come out and celebrate the 32nd anniversary of this favourite fall event, one of Ontario’s Top 100 festivals. Musical entertainment, midway rides, games, car show, craft and food vendors, parade, farmers’ market and more.

OCTOBER

October 2 Harvest at the Homestead
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org

October 2, Fall Dinner
Gesstwood Camp and Retreat Center
519-776-8839
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

October 15, Fall Colours Tour
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

October 21, Harvest Moon
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org

October 21-23, Gesto Spook House
2644 Gesto Road
519-776-8633
www.gestospookhouse.org
Open 7-11 pm daily. Admission: Two canned goods for Essex Area Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

October 29, Village Murder Mystery
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

NOVEMBER

November 13, Ken Knapp Ford Jingle Bell Run
390 Talbot Street North, Essex
5km walk/run and 10km run to benefit
Community Living Essex County
519-776-6483, ext. 246
www.communitylivingessex.org

November 19-20, Essex Area
Christmas House Tour
In support of Gesstwood Camp & Retreat Centre
519-776-8839
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

November 19-20, HoHoHo-Open House
Suchiu Gallery, 143 Keown Ave., Essex
519-776-5767
www.suchiu.com
Holiday-themed charitable event.

November 26,
Santa Claus Parade
Downtown Essex
519-776-9811
www.essexbia.com

DECEMBER

December 3, Harrow Christmas Parade Downtown Harrow

December 3, Cottam Rotary Park Tree Lighting & Visit with Santa
Cottam Rotary Park, 6:30 pm

December 3-4,
Essex District High School Arts and Crafts Show
244 Talbot St. N., Essex
519-776-7344
www.essexdistricthighschool.com

December 9-10, Miracle in the Manger
Gesstwood Camp and Retreat Center
519-776-8839
www.gesstwoodcamp.com

December 11, Eve of St. Nicholas
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org
Examine the history of gift giving and early holiday celebrations.

December 13, Candlelight Christmas
John R. Park Homestead, Harrow
519-738-2029
www.erca.org

December 18, Breakfast with Santa
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com

December 31, New Year’s Eve Party
Canadian Transportation Museum and Heritage Village
519-776-6909
www.ctmhv.com