Explore the Bruce Adventure Passport

Wow what a hit our 4th Annual Adventure Passport Contest was, we can't believe it is over already... We want to send out a BIG thank you to all of you who braved the detours signs, took part in the geocaching stops and had all kinds of fun exploring the Bruce this summer! We hope you had a great time and got a chance to see some of the amazing hidden gems that the Bruce has to offer. You are the reason we run the contest, we listened to your comments on wanting new and exciting places to explore.

The contest maybe closed now, but the ballots are ready to be drawn, so make sure to Tune into the 101.7 The One Morning Show with Dave, Gina and Steve on December 11, 2008 to find out who our lucky passport winners are of chance to win over $10,000 in Adventure prizes.

GOOD LUCK to all of you!

Hope to see you out and about next year for our 5th Annual Adventure the Bruce Passport Contest... Look for it next spring.

Don't forget to visit our site in the next few weeks to see the winners!

Santa Claus Parade

Can you believe that Christmas is only 26 sleeps away!!!

Bruce County loves to celebrate Christmas, and all that goes with it, so make sure to mark your calendar for all the parades that are going on this year. Almost every town in Bruce County has a parade and most of them take place at night, it is wonderful to wrap up warm and go downtown to watch the all the happy faces and floats light up giving the Main St that wonderful glow...

Bring your family and friends along to join in the fun, you know you don't want to miss watching Santa Claus coming down the street... Check out our site for all kinds of great stuff happening in and around the Bruce.

Here is a list of parades:

Nov 28th – Paisley... 7:00pm – 800-387-3456
Nov 28th – Lucknow... 7:00 – 8:00 pm Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov 28th – Mildmay... 7:45pm 519-367-2654 Hanging of the Green
Nov 29th – Walkerton... 7:00pm - 519-881-3413
Nov 29th – Port Elgin... 7:00pm – 800-387-3456
Nov 30th – Ripley... 5:30 pm – 519-592-2909
Dec 5th – Southampton... 7:00pm – 800-387-3456
Dec 5th – Chesley... 7:00pm - 519-363-9837
Dec 5th – Lucknow... 7:00pm - 519-528-2909
Dec 6th – Wiarton... 7:00pm 519-534-4353
Dec 6th – Kincardine... 6:30pm 519-396-9333
Dec 6th – Lion’s Head... 1:00pm - 519-793-7513
Dec 6th – Tara... 6:00pm
Dec 13th – Tobermory... 12:45pm - 519-596-2685

Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Field to Fork Feast

Grey Bruce Agriculture & Culinary Association (ACA) and Rocky Raccoon Café invite you to the Field to Fork Feast event in Grey & Bruce.

This community benefit banquet and silent auction is a fundraiser for agriculture and culinary projects in Grey & Bruce. ACA is a non-profit community organization that recently produced the Grey Bruce Agriculture & Culinary Map.

Where: Grey Granite Curling Club
727 2nd Avenue East
Owen Sound, ON
When: Saturday, November 29, 2008
Time: 11:45 sitting for 12:00 noon serving

Cost: Eat what you like, give what you can!

What’s Happening: Please join Mayor Lovell Stanners, county dignitaries, local
politicians and invited guests at the head table for Owen Sound and area’s first community Field to Fork Feast – a celebration of home-grown food from Grey & Bruce.

Celebrity Chef, Michael Stadtlander, is keynote speaker.

Silent Auction to feature original art, crafted gifts, gourmet delights, hospitality & vacation gift certificates and more. Enjoy an authentic taste of Grey Bruce, along with greetings from our local dignitaries, politicians and invited guests. Come share in a celebration of local food with the ACA Board and many thanks to all who helped make it happen!

Local food will be sourced from many local farms, farmers’ markets, local food producers and prepared by Rocky Raccoon Café and other area chefs from Grey & Bruce.

Remembrance Ceremonies

Every year on November 11, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served their country and continue to serve.

Cenotaphs are located in the heart the community; wear a poppy on Remembrance Day. Bruce County is proud of its history.

In most communities the parades start at 10:30 am and ceremonies at 10:50 am. If you can't make it to a cenotaph, take in the 1-minute of silence at 11:00 am in your own way.

Visit the memorial site and share your families story.

Explore the Bruce Adventure Passport

Autumn is in full swing, and the Explore the Bruce Adventure Passport runs till December 6th, so there is still lots of time to get there and Explore the Bruce and take in the contest.

We have 12 boxes throughout the County with some twists this year. There are a few detours along the way.

Don't forget if you see our Explore the Bruce Walkerton Toyota Adventure Tundra on the road or down by the Bay in Wiarton at our office, make sure we give you your FREE punch!

There is still lots of fall colour so it is a perfect time of the year to check out some of the very cool hiking locations on the Adventure Passport, as the views are spectacular anytime of the year, but especially at this time!

So layer up and spend a day or two getting the 7 required punched, or spend a few weekends getting all 13...(with the bonus punch!) For your chance at the full completion prize pack.

It's October 17th, you still have 50 more sleep to get er done...

Good luck!

Punpkinfest in Port Elgin

Harvest time is here and in Bruce County the means PUMPKINFEST! October 4 & 5th!

Each year the town of Port Elgin is transformed into a three day festival. There is something for everyone to take in; people come from miles around and over the boarder with their veggies to enter into the contest for the largest one in the land!!!

There is a craft show with all kinds of treasures to explore, a HUGE car show on the Main St, take a step back in time with the oldies music and classic rides!

Last year we filmed a show at Pumpkinfest with our friends from Great Getaways TV, not only on Pumpkinfest, but also on all the great things to see and do in the area, accommodation, a fabulous meal at Grosvenor’s in Southampton, paddling the Saugeen River with Thorncrest Outfitters, plus where to buy fresh buy local and more…

So come on out, bring the family and bring your friends. If you are on the Main St, make sure to drop on by our "Explore The Bruce Adventure Tundra" and ask for your FREE walking stick...

See you there!

(IPM) International Plowing Match

Come home to the Country. The 2008 International Plowing Match (IPM) has come home to Bruce County, and will take place from September 16- 20th at the bottom end of the County on the McKague Farm just NE of Teeswater.


With just hours to the opening of the 2008 International Plowing Match being held near Teeswater organizers have received confirmation that Ontario's Lieutenant Governor David C. Onley is planning to attend.

Arriving Wednesday morning, Mr. Onley will have time to tour the IPM Site before appearing on the Main Stage at 11:45am - the second day of the IPM.

There are over 1,000 acres of fun and activities for the whole family, something for all ages and all interests.

Experience Canada's largest outdoor agricultural exhibition down on the farm! Check out their site for all the details.

Here are a few of the cool things you can enjoy:
Plowing and Queen of the Furrow competitions
Corral events
A variety of quality entertainment
Educational area with interactive learning
Tours of local attractions
Farm, recreational, and industrial machinery
"Best of the Past" antique displays & demonstrations
Environment technology exhibits
"Best of Home" country lifestyle area including: Quilters, Fashions Food, Crafts, Artisans and more
Over 500 vendors, exhibitors and a 2,000 site RV Park

Fall Fairs across the Bruce

It's that time of year has arrived again, the days are getting shorter the nights are getting cooler, the air is crisp and you can smell the land being harvested! What a great time to get out and spend time with family and friends across the Bruce at annual Ontario Fall Fairs!

There will be all kinds of great things happening each weekend, parades, food, crafts, games and so much more! There are so many fall fairs it is hard to get to the them, some have already happened and some are still to come, hope you can make it to at least one of them, maybe all!

Here is a list of ones still to come:
Mildmay - Sept - 5-7th
Paisley - Sept - 5-7th

Tara - Sept 10th
Wiarton- Sept - 12 -13th
Lucknow - Sept 19 - 21st
Ripley - Sept 26-27th
Pumpkinfest - Oct - 17 -19th
Walkerton - Oct 17-19th

Check out our site for more details!

Bruce County Plowing Match

Fall is in the air and what better way to kick it off then a plowing match! Bruce Counties match will be taking place on Friday August 29th!

Check out the link to all the activities going on this year just South of Ferndale, on the Farm of Debbie & Jerry Mackie, 2 Blocks south of Ferndale, on Hwy 6, east side, near Lions Head ... Noon roast beef dinner - $12 – encouraging advance tickets. Admission to the match is FREE...

Barry Ribey 519-353-5375

Ken Waugh 519-534-2206

Dawn Brunton 519-364-3391

Come on out for all the fun! Mark your calendar now because the 2008 International Plowing Match will be coming home to the Country, Bruce County Country that is! The event will take place on Wayne & Wendy Kague's Farm on Highway 4 at the northern edge of Teeswater.

Out & About August 14th - 17th!

Can you believe it, the Canadian National Exhibition …aka… The Ex, starts this weekend in Toronto, if you are a kid or can remember back, you know what that means, school starts in 2 weeks…yikes… Don’t fret there is still lots of time to take in all the great events taking place on the Bruce and this weekend there are plenty!

Here is a list:
Southampton is celebrating their 150th Birthday! Happy Birthday Southampton!
It’s a four-day weekend, from the Opening Ceremonies at the flag pole on Thursday night to the Fairy Lake concert Sunday evening, there’s something for everyone this weekend in South…parade, fireworks, music, dancing, feasting, games, antique cars, and many memories to share!

Bruce County Heritage Farm Show
A wholesome outdoor family fun event with clowns, games, craft show, antique tractor pull, steam engines and horse powered demonstrations, century old home and lifestyle tools, good food and entertainment. Antique car and truck show, antique tractor show featuring "lesser-known classics", an antique tractor pull, live horse and machinery demonstrations, steam engines, a threshing bee, a circa 1880's steam powered sawmill, shingle making, early home and farmstead tools and equipment. On both Friday and Saturday join us to watch parades at 4:00 pm. All this takes place 2kms South of Paisley on Bruce Rd 3.

Saturday & Sunday:

Cape Croker is having their annual Pow Wow

21st Annual Art Show & Sale at the Community Centre in Sauble Beach

This is going to be a great weekend on the Bruce, hope to see you out and about!
Watch for our Summer Patrol girls, Aly & Laura in our Walkerton Adventure Toyota Tundra, giving out all your tourism info needs, FREE walking sticks and your Bonus Punch for our 2008 Adventure Passport Contest!

Happenings on the Bruce August 9th & 10th!

If you are looking for something to do this weekend there is lots of cool events happening!

Sauble Beach is celebrating their their 13th Annual Sauble Sandfest with all kinds of great things being formed out of sand on the beach all day, along with entertainment and so much more, so grab your friends and family and come on out to see the works of art be created! There will also be a Classic Car Show and a Volleyball Tournament!

August 9 & 10th is the Saugeen First Nation Pow Wow, at the Amphitheatre just E of Southampton. Enjoy the rich culture of Saugeen First Nation at this annual Pow Wow. Native dance, drumming, crafts and cuisine. There will be fun for everyone!

On Sunday the town of Kincardine is having a Calyso Street Market with HUGE sales happening at all the downtown stores, there will be Steel Drum Bands, Entertainment, and the outdoor market!

Bring your family and friends, there is no reason not be enjoying the Bruce this weekend!

25th C.F.P.S. Chantry Chinook Salmon Derby

The Derby runs from July 26th - August 9th.

Lake Huron's largest fishing derby with $125,000.00 in prizes to be won.

Single tickets are $25.00 and family cost is $55.00.

You can visit their site for more info on the derby through the Lake Huron Fishing Club

Rural Gardens of Grey Bruce

Summer is here and what better to explore the Bruce then to take in one of the 30 private homes on our self-guided garden tour that open their doors to the public from May to October!

This self-guided tour runs from the tip of the Bruce to the bottom of the County! Check out our site for all your tourism needs to plan your next trip to the Bruce, and the Rural Gardens site for details on the gardens, links to their sites, and a great map to help you find your way around! They all have something unique to offer and love to talk about gardening and having visitors stroll through their wonderful slpendour.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Happy Birthday Canada!

There will be fireworks at Dusk in:
Tobermory
Sauble Beach
Southampton
Kincardine

The weather is going to be perfect for all the festivities...There are all kinds of great events taking place from the tip of the Bruce in Tobermory to the bottom!

Check out our site for more details It is a great way to spend the day with family and friends to celebrate the amazing country we live in. There will be clowns, parades, food vendors, fun on the beach, games, water to play in, mini golf, and fireworks at dusk...

Hope to see you on the Bruce, celebrating our birthday!

14th Annual Classic Car Cruise Night's

Bring your friends and family out from 6:00 - 9:00pm every Thursday night May 22 to September 11th, for a fun evening of reminiscing.

This summer at the flagpole in Southampton, see some of the coolest cars ever made! Take a step back in time along the shores of Lake Huron. Hear the sounds of yester year and listen to the old stories of cruising back in the day!

RCMP Musical Ride

Hope to see you this Thursday June 12th in Kincardine at Connaught Park at 133 Broadway St for the RCMP Musical Ride! There will be two shows one at 11:00 and the other will be at 7:00pm. There will be pre-show entertainment 1 hour before each show.

For more information call Bruce Power 519-361-7777, check out the musical ride!

Look for me in our Walkerton Toyota Explore the Bruce Adventure Tundra for instant Prizes, walking sticks and your FREE passport bonus punch

Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival

The Bruce Peninsula Orrchid Festival takes place annually in Tobermory on the last weekend in May. This year it will be May 30 & 31st.

The Bruce Peninsula is renowned for its diversity of wild growing, native orchids. An astonishing 44 orchid species occur on 'the Bruce', ranging from abundant Yellow Lady's Slippers to the endangered Eastern Prairie White-fringed Orchid. For a small area, the Bruce Peninsula has one of the greatest varieties of natural orchids in North America.

The Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival is your chance to discover native orchids and wildflowers, to learn from experienced naturalists and to be inspired by the rugged scenery of the area. Festival activities include guided hikes, orchid tours, orchid photography workshops and more.

Highlights of the Festival are the Friday evening presentation by visiting photographer – Jim Hixon and the Saturday evening Wine & Cheese and feature presentation by renowned naturalist – Michael Runtz.

Huron Fringe Birding Festival

This spring, from May 23 to June 1, MacGregor Point Provincial Park celebrates its 6th annual Huron Fringe Birding Festival.

In 1998, Norah Toth, Natural Heritage Education Specialist for MacGregor Point, recognized that an event like a festival could raise the profile of the park and also increase public awareness about the excellent local birding opportunities. The idea came from her observation that the park was a favourite of local birding experts Dave Fidler and Mark Wiercinski. Dave and Mark visit the park every spring to increase their Baillie Birdathon results.

Maple Syrup Festivals

Spring is in the air, March 20th was the first day of spring! With the arrival of Spring Equinox comes the running of the sap, that means maple syrup festivals will be taking place across the Bruce!

We have 2 major ones in the Bruce and 1 which takes place just outside the Bruce:

March 22nd is the Purple Valley Maple Syrup Festival it takes place at the Community Centre.

March 29-30th is the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authorities Old-Time Maple Syrup Festival it takes places at Saugeen Bluffs 8 km N of Paisley.

April 10 & 12th is Belmore's 41st Annual Maple Syrup Festival and it takes place at the Community Centre.

So bundle up the kids, your family and bring along some friends to take in the festivities, it maybe muddy so wear proper foot wear!

An Early Spring!!

That's right Wiarton Willie did not see his shadow this past Saturday morning, so you all know what that means!!! Six more weeks of winter. So all you outdoor winter enthusiasts, bundle up and head outdoors to take in all the Bruce has to offer!

Just a few ideas:
Ride Grey Bruce - 2400 km of groomed snowmobile trails
Cross Country Ski on some of the best groomed trails in the Province,Sauble Beach Trails, Sawmill Trails in Hepworth just to name a few
Go skating indoors or out
Jump on a sleigh and ride our toboggan hills
Break your own trail snowshoeing some awesome destinations
in the Bruce
Build a snowman
Make a snow angel

Check out other trails in Grey Bruce!
Get outdoors, April will be here before you know it!

Wiarton Willie Festival

On the Bruce we love snow believe me, with 2400 km of some of the best snowmobile trails in the province and an abundance of outdoor fun for everyone to participate in, how could we not. The Bruce offers, indoor and outdoor arenas for skating, groomed cross country trails, cool places to break new trail for snowshoeing, lots of snow for making snowpeople and snow angels, toboggan hills and so much more.

BUT this time of year we get pretty excited because our World Famous Bruce Peninsula Mascot Wiarton Willie is about to come out of his home and give us all his famous prediction… That’s right the Wiarton Willie Festival is just around the corner. We sure hope you will be around to join us in the festivities, don’t forget that on Saturday February 2nd the big prognostication will be reveled; WILL it or WON’T it be an early spring!!

Snowmobilers in mass, are invited to Wiarton for prediction day,to gently encourage Willie into predicting 6 more weeks of winter for sledders. Riders are encouraged to be on site by 8:00am for Willie’s prediction at 8:07am. Snowmobilers who ‘Ride the Willie’ will be treated to:

* VIP onsite snowmobile parking
* Free pancake breakfast (1st 1500)
* Live Entertainment
* Pork BBQ Lunch
* New Product Displays
* West Coast Lumberjack Show
* Ice, Snow, Stone and Wood Carving
* Photo opportunity with ‘Willie On Your Sled’

Riders will compete for the ‘Willie Cup’ The snowmobile club that ‘Rides the Willie’ with the most riders will take home the coveted, Bobbi Switzer chainsaw carved ‘Willie
Cup’ to display for the entire year in their clubhouse Trails will be groomed and signed right to Bluewater Park in Wiarton Events are organized throughout the day for those traveling from great distances.

Sauble Beach Winterfest Event

Winter is upon us and even through mother nature has not been kind to us with snow this January, we know she will be coming our way again soon and we are hoping she will bring lots of the white stuff with her!

Every January Sauble Beach puts on a Winterfest celebration with a night time parade, christmas tree bonfire, battle of the bands, and all kinds of other great indoor and outdoor events all weekend long. So mark your calendar, January 25-26th is the big event! You won't want to miss out on all the fun!!

North American International Motorcycle Super Show

If you like to ride this is the place to be this weekend January 4-6th!

The North American International Motorcycle Super Show will be happening at the Toronto International Centre by the Airport, there is FREE parking and it is going to be a great weekend with something for every kind of rider to check out.

Make sure to drop by our booth for your FREE Ride Grey touring kit...

Check out the site for all there is to see and do this weekend at the show at North American Supershow