Bayfield, Grand Bend, Goderich, Exeter, Stratford

Bayfield, Ontario

Bayfield, about a 10 minute drive north of Brentwood on the Beach, is a charming lakeside village. A stroll down historic main street offers interesting gift shops, clothing stores, art galleries and wonderful restaurants. Bayfield also has a natural harbour, docking facilities, and fishing in the river or off the pier.

Upcoming Events:

• Writers Festival – last Saturday in June
• Antique Show - August
• Bayfield Fall Fair – 3rd Weekend in August

Grand Bend, Ontario

Grand Bend, a 10 minute drive south of Brentwood on the Beach, is a popular beach town. Watersports, sea doo rentals, mini golf, tennis, golf and a drive-in theatre are some of the activities. The Grand Bend Motorplex is located 5 minutes east of Grand Bend on Highway 81. Fast food, family style and four star restaurants, bars and pubs are found throughout the village. Art galleries, live theatre and a museum are a must see. The Pinery Provincial Park is located on Highway 21 - a 10 minute drive south of Grand Bend.

Upcoming Events:

• Paint Ontario (juried art competition) – March 14 – April 5, 2009
• The Pinery Antique Flea Market – Sundays, May through Thanksgiving
• Farmers Market – Wednesdays, May through September
• Burgerfest – 3rd Weekend in June
• Not So Pro Beach Volleyball Tour – end of July
• Lambton Fall Colour & Craft Festival – October 17 & 18, 2009
• Winter Carnival – February 6-8 & 13-16, 2009

Goderich, Ontario

Goderich, a 25 minute drive north on Highway 21 from Brentwood on the Beach is our county seat and is situated at the mouth of the Maitland River on Lake Huron. This is a great lakes shipping port. There is fishing off the pier and in the Maitland River. The rotary have built a one mile long beach boardwalk. The courthouse square has 8 streets converging onto a round about with shops and restaurants.

Upcoming Events:

• Celtic Roots Festival – August 7-9, 2009
• Winterfest (PDF) – February 6-8, 2009

Exeter, Ontario

The village of Exeter was laid out in 1855 and a few years later had elevated itself to a chief market centre for the district. Originally called Francistown, the Village of Exeter was incorporated in 1873. Exeter is located in South-western Ontario, north of the City of London, in the municipality of South Huron. Exeter 's mascot is a delightful and beautiful white squirrel which can be seen in most parts of town, but particularly at McNaughton Park early in the morning or late in the day..

Upcoming Events:

• Exeter Rodeo – August 8-9, 2009

Stratford, Ontario

Stratford nestles beside the Avon River in Perth County in southwestern Ontario. First settled in 1832, Stratford was incorporated as a town in 1859 and as a city in 1886. Its population now is just over 30,000.

Stratford is home to North America’s leading classical theatre – The Stratford Shakespeare Festival. The swan has become a symbol of the city and each year twenty four white swans and two black swans are released onto the Avon River.

Upcoming Events:

• Stratford Summer Music - July 21 to August 17, 2009

Zurich, Ontario

A friendly village with quaint shops and eateries and good old fashioned service. The Swiss Heritage of 150 years is reflected in some of Zurich’s architecture. While visiting Zurich be sure to take a drive, hike or cycle through the rural countryside. Zurich is surrounded by some of the richest agricultural land in Canada. Fields of beans, corn, soy, canola and wheat ripple in the summer breezes like waves on the lake. A part of Ontario's West Coast, Zurich is just 6 km inland from St. Joseph and Lake Huron.

Upcoming Events:

• Zurich Bean Festival - Fourth Saturday in August