Get ready to be the ultimate hometown tourist.
Elora Fergus Tourism and the Township of Centre Wellington’s Cultural Planning Project are inviting everyone to tour around Centre Wellington on a Culture Passport in celebration of Culture Days, Sept. 27 to 29.
Culture Days is a national movement created to recognize that a vibrant cultural sector contributes directly and significantly to healthy and stable societies and the liveability of communities.
“Culture Days aims to foster an appreciation for cultural life by promoting direct interaction between creators and the public,” organizers note.
Local Culture Days planning coordinator Elizabeth Bender said, “Last year Centre Wellington hosted its first Culture Days celebration with a Cultural Passport and it was a wonderful success. We had such great feedback and so many requests to do it again; we just couldn’t resist the opportunity to once again highlight the fantastic cultural activities and events going on in Centre Wellington. This year’s passport is really amazing and has something for everyone.”
The concept of the Culture Passport is simple – get a passport; trip around to the participating locations and events; enjoy them; and get the passport stamped.
Those who collect four or more stamps can submit their passport for a chance to win one of many great prizes from local cultural groups and organizations. All passport activities are free or two-for-one specials.
This year Bender noted that many of the great “passport stops” from last year have returned including Elora Farmers Market Rural Romp Day; tours at The Grand 92.9; a scene from Elora Community Theatre’s upcoming play Peter Pan live in Victoria Park, Elora; Kids fest at the Wellington Artists Gallery; an Older Voices Walking Tour; and a concert with the Fergus Pipe Band and Scottish duo Janice Howie and Nick Gush in the Elora Greenspace.
Also participating this year are the Centre Wellington Sportsplex; Aboyne, Elora and Fergus libraries; the Elora Fergus Studio Tour locations; Fraberts Fresh Foods; Heritage Centre Wellington – who this year are hosting a heritage scavenger hunt; the Elora Centre for the Arts who are encouraging folks to add to a community art wall as well as visit Neighbourhood Messages in Bissell Park, and the Wellington County Museum and Archives highlighting their Inside the Fool’s Journey Tarot exhibit.
New stops include One Axe Pursuits Elora SkyRider Zipline two-for-one rides, Behind the Curtain with Vision Theatre Productions, Moynihan Family Martial Arts demonstration; and the Highland Rugby Sevens Tournament.
PasSports can be picked up at any passport stop Culture Days weekend or at various locations around town. For a complete list of pick up locations and a detailed schedule, check www.centrewellington.ca/departments/parksandrec/cultureplan.
“Mark your calendars and pack your bags, Culture Days weekend is your time to discover something new, something different, and to connect with the creative and cultural Centre Wellington,” organizers urge.
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Bus tour in Minto
The Town of Minto is once again celebrating Culture Days with its popular Treasures of Minto Bus Tour. Admission is free for the Sept. 28 tour, which runs from 9am to 4pm, but pre-registration is required.
Participants will travel around the Town of Minto, making various stops along the way on a tour that features local guest speakers, local cultural destinations and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the community’s “hidden gems.”
For information or to register contact Mandy Jones at 519-338-2511 ext. 232.
The town is also hosting a storytelling session on Ghosts of Minto Past at the Town Hall Theatre in Harriston on Sept. 27 from 7 to 9pm. Everyone is welcome to share local “ghost stories” or tales of scary situations or to listen to storytellers from Wellington County Paranormal Investigators.
