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STAYING
FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY? SOME HIGHLIGHTS...
If you're planning on
spending some time in the area here are a few things
to think about seeing and doing. Ontario's West Coast
has the best beaches around. Several years ago the
area was named top three for sunsets in the world
by National Geographic; truly amazing visuals. The
following, although not short in length of content,
is just a short list of activities in the area.
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SATURDAY NIGHT PIPE BAND PARADE
Victoria Park, Kincardine, ON N2Z 2Y2
1 519 396-6565
JOIN THE PARADE! IF
IT'S NOT SCOTTISH IT'S CRAP!
Every Saturday night at 8PM you can join the the Kincardine
Scottish Pipe Band in their "pied piper"
trek down Queen Street. The weekly event began after
the second world war and has become a local summertime
tradition.
The parade leaves Victoria Park at 8PM sharp and heads
to the north end of town, where it turns around at
Quinn Plaza and returns to the park; where the members
"jam" for a while more. The band welcomes
all pipers and drummers who happen to be in the area
and have been host to musicians from all over the
world. Pre-arranged permission is not necessary but
proper dress is a requirement.
Founded in 1908, The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band
celebrates its celebrated it's 100th Anniversary in
2008' and is believed to be the oldest street pipe
band with unbroken service in Ontario. Over the years,
the parades and concerts have given thousands of people
the opportunity to know and love Kincardine. Many
of these people have returned year after year, as
children, parents and grandparents.
The pipe band is one of the largest in the province,
boasting more than 60 members. its a charitable organization
and concentrates on teaching new members to carry
on the traditions of the Saturday night parades and
the Phantom Piper.
The Band marches rain or shine and its great fun,
drawing extremely large crowds especially on Scottish
Festival weekend (July 3-5) and at the
Gathering
of the Bands (August 29).
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BLUEWATER SUMMER PLAYHOUSE
707A Queen Street, Kincardine, ON
N2Z 1Z9
1 519 396-5722 | 1 877 396-5722
$25 CAN STILL BUY
YOU A NIGHT TO REMEMBER!
The Bluewater Summer Playhouse is set up in dinner
theatre style - four per table. Enjoy a bottle of
wine, or the beverage of your choice, while taking
in the show. The council chambers in the old town
hall have been converted into an intimate community
theatre, where there's not a bad seat in the house.
$25 per ticket will get you through the door and
you can also purchase the 3 pack of all the productions
for only $65.
JULY 7 TO JULY 25
SEXY LAUNDRY* by Michael Riml
Alice
and Henry are on a mission. After 25 years together
their relationship has bottomed out. They need to
find a way to reconnect and jumpstart their marriage.
Determined to reinvigorate their sex lives they
check into a trendy hotel armed with a copy of “Sex
for Dummies” and begin a series of hilarious
misadventures that could do more harm than good.
Can their marriage survive Alice clad in leather
or a game of “blindfolded groping”?
A “Laugh out Loud” comedy that will
surely become an audience favourite!
*MATURE LANGUAGE AND SUBJECT MATTER
See the BSP web site for the full summer long schedule.
ART GALLERIES
The Kincardine Centre for the Arts also houses the
Victoria
Park Gallery, Multimedia Art &
Gifts, and the Scougall
Gallery which displays reproductions
of photographs taken by John H. Scougall at the
turn of the century.
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KINCARDINE LIGHTHOUSE & MUSEUM
Harbour St. Kincardine ON N2Z 2X9
1 519 396-4331
SHEDDING LIGHT ON THINGS
FOR ALMOST 130 YEARS
Due to its unique setting nestled
on the shoreline and inner end of the harbour at the
edge of the Penetangore River it is the only lighthouse
in Ontario that is considered to be located in the
downtown.
This white & red wooden lighthouse was built in
1881. One hundred and fifty feet tall, the
eight-sided tower rests on a stone foundation. Above
the rear-entrance door, the year 1880 is inscribed
in the cornerstone. The three levels of the lighthouse
are joined by steep, straight, almost perpendicular
staircases making a total of 69 steps (climbed at
least twice daily by past lightkeepers).
Guided tours are available July
1 to Labour Day, 11 am to 5 pm daily. There is a nominal
charge.
THE LEGEND OF THE PHANTOM
PIPER
Back in 1856, on a cold, October day, a small vessel
left the Port of Goderich carrying a family from the
Isle of Skye, Scotland. It was the final leg of a
journey for the immigrant family that intended to
farm at Penetangore (now Kincardine).
The weather was cloudy with a light breeze
out of the southwest when the vessel left Goderich.
But as the boat approached Point Clark, the sky turned
black and a cold wind started to blow out of the west
making for heavier and heavier seas.
As the vessel slowly beat its way north, late afternoon
turned to dusk and the captain feared he would not
find Penetangore in the dark.
Donald Sinclair, fearing for his family, went down
into the hold and fetched his pipes. He prayed for
safe passage and then played a lament. The sound of
the pipes carried across the water to Penetangore
where another piper heard the rich sound. The settler
on shore retrieved his pipes and played another lament
in return, just as the sky suddenly cleared in the
west and the sun set beneath the cold waters
The captain, knowing he had to be near Penetangore,
headed for the drone of the bagpipes and eventually
made his way into the harbour.
For many years after the narrow escape, Donald Sinclair
often went down to the harbour to play the pipes at
dusk. They say it was a way to remember his good fortune
and to remind others of the power of the pipes. And
it's in the memory of Donald Sinclair that the Kincardine
Scottish has decided to play at dusk atop the lighthouse
on sunny summer evenings. The piper will only appear
when the sun sets and will pipe the sun down."
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WALKER HOUSE
235 Harbour Street Kincardine, ON N2Z, CA
1 519 396-1850
THE OLDEST BUILDING IN
KINCARDINE • THE
OLDEST STANDING HOTEL IN BRUCE AND GREY COUNTIES
Built in 1850 as an Inn and Tavern
by Francis (Paddy) Walker, the Walker House has been
fully restored as a Heritage Centre for your visiting
pleasure, as you tour and relax in beautiful Kincardine.
HISTORY
When Paddy Walker had arrived by sled across the ice
from Goderich early in the spring of 1850, there already
existed a settlement of sorts at the mouth of the river.
Paddy, a native of Sligo, Ireland, arrived with his
wife, Jane and seven sons. Testimony to his aggressive
spirit and business acumen, Paddy soon built his hotel
realizing that the hundreds of new settlers arriving
after him would need interim lodgings while their own
homes were being built. Situated at the mouth of the
natural harbour and with so few roads yet built, Walker
House would be at the very epicenter of commercial activity
in this area.
Walker House operated as a hotel by Paddy and
descendents well into the mid 1900s until 1942 when
Walker House was sold to Marie and Al Gairns. The Gairns
operated it as a hotel, then a rooming house and eventually
the building served as the private residence of Marie
after the death of her husband. She was living alone
in her main floor apartment in January, 1995 when fire
broke out and she was rescued, in her wheelchair, by
local fire fighters.
The historical building was severely damaged and sat
empty, exposed to the elements for three years. As rumours
grew that the municipality was considering demolishing
it out concern for public safety,a groundswell of interested
community members came forward. Restoration work began
in 1999 and took nearly 10 years to complete, largely
through volunteer labour as donated funding allowed.
Walker House serves Kincardine and the surrounding region
as a heritage centre providing exhibits, programmes
and hosts events that interpret local history.
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LABYRINTH PEACE GARDEN
Geddes Environmental Park
South End of Town
WALK FOR PEACE
The Kincardine Labyrinth Peace Garden is located
in the heart of Kincardine at Geddes Environmental
Park. The labyrinth, known as the 'Chalice' design,
has sculpted gardens and paths based on a Classical
Labyrinth pattern, similar to the design of one
in the cathedral at Chartres, France. The design
and paths are wide enough for more than one person.
The flowers that border the paths of the Labyrinth
Peace Garden emerge in a rainbow of colour, evoking
subtle energies that quiet the mind and allow the
inner wisdom to be heard.
Today this ancient meditative tool is making a renaissance
all over the world. The Kincardine Labyrinth Peace
Garden is open to all visitors, and has been used
for such events as Peace Vigils and Labyrinth Workshops.
'Friends' of the Labyrinth have successfully raised
funds to make its wide paths of stonedust completely
wheel chair accessible. The addition of a kiosk
provides visitors with information on Labyrinths
and thanks our volunteers. You are invited to visit
our Labyrinth Garden and take a walk for peace whenever
you wish.
KINCARDINE/BRUCE TRAIL
SYSTEM
The Labyrinth at Geddes Park is the a part of the
Kincardine
Trail System which is part of the Bruce
Trail System.
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WORLD FAMOUS SUNSETS
Along Ontario's West Coast
TOP 3 FOR SUNSETS
OF THE WORLD BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Sunset viewing is best done with the obligatory
ice cream cone in hand, and is one of the most popular
and affordable pastimes on the Lake Huron Shoreline.
Purples, reds, oranges and yellows, streak across
the sky each clear evening at sunset time. It's
a different colour combination every night...a delight
for professional and amateur photographers alike.
Benches line the shoreline in most areas for your
viewing pleasure or, bring your own lawnchair or
blanket. On warm nights, take a refreshing dip before
watching the sun go down. Stroll, drive or bike
to the nearest waterfront and take in Mother Nature
at her most creative! (By the way, the sunsets are
sometimes even more spectacular during fall, winter
and spring!)
One of the most unique and fun spots from which
to view a sunset is one of the Big Blue Chairs on
Kincardine's Station Beach. Four people can sit
cheek to cheek and watch the sun go down from one
of these chairs located right on the beach (see
below under Beaches). Ask a passerby to take your
picture to show the folks back home!
Take a seat on one of the benches found along the
boardwalk or perch in the boardwalk gazebo to enjoy
the last rays of the day. Blankets, sand and water
just seem to go together for sunset gazing; dip
your toes in the water while the sun goes down.
Added bonus: listen to the haunting tunes of the
Phantom Piper as he serenades the sun to sleep from
his post atop the lighthouse every night but Saturday.
On Saturday, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Parade
and Concert starts at 8 p.m. in downtown Kincardine.
At Dunsmoor park and beach, enjoy a sunset promenade
through the rock gardens and Lover's Lane. Benches
at Queen's Lookout, west of Victoria Park, face
west over the lake--perfect for catching the last
of the glowing sun!
All other Kincardine beaches are beautiful spots
to end a perfect summer's day--blankets or lawnchairs
required as benches are not located on all town
beaches.
~From Sunsets.com
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INCREDIBLE BEACHES
The White Sands of Lake Huron
CLEAR CLEAN WEED FREE
WATERS
Whether it be the sand dunes in Inverhuron, the diving
board on the pier at Station Beach in Kincardine, or
a view of the Point Clark Lighthouse from the sand,
beaches in the Kincardine area cannot be beaten.
Station Beach is a favorite place for
the young and old in Kincardine. Whether people are
looking for a suntan, out to play some volleyball or
going for a dip in Lake Huron, Station Beach is the
place to be on a hot summer day. There is a snack booth,
run by the Kincardine Rotary Club, which offers a variety
of treats for the hungry swimmer.
Boiler Beach is very popular for spending
the day. It site is historic for containing the only
remaining element of the wreck of the Erie
Belle tug boat. The boiler from the Belle
still sits on the beach (as seen above). The Belle exploded
in 1883 killing 4 of the 12 crewman aboard. The pub
in town is its namesake.
Bruce Beach which stretches for miles
either side of the bottom of Bruce Road 6 (or Concession
8 as it's also known) is THE best beach in the area.
Rolling dunes of deep white sand coupled with weed and
stone free water makes it a perfect setting for the
day. The naturalized grasses have been left to thrive
help maintain the integrity of the beach and has built
up lovely vistas of billowing feathers on breezy days.
The water has several sandbars and you can walk out
for some distance in shallow crystal clear waters.
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MORE
THEATRICAL EVENTS
Two more closeby locations
for community theatre are The Blyth Festival in the
town of Blyth located approximately 45 minutes south
of The Cabin and just east of Goderich. And in Goderich
itself there is The Livery which houses various performance
groups.
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BLYTH FESTIVAL
Blyth Memorial Community Hall,
431 Queen Street, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0
1 519 523-9300
2009 SUMMER SEASON
CONSISTS OF 4 PLAYS
RUNNING FROM JUNE 24 - SEPTEMBER 5
The Blyth Centre for the Arts (including Blyth Festival)
was founded in 1975 to produce theatre that reflects
the culture and concerns for the people of southwestern
Ontario and beyond.
In 1975, few scripts that fit the festival's mandate
were being written so we jumped into the creation
of new work. At that time, the festival was the
only summer theatre producing original Canadian
plays, and one of the very few, if not the only
"500-seat" theatre in Canada producing
Canadian plays exclusively.
Today, located in a village of 1000 in rural Huron
County, the Blyth Centre for the Arts is a year-round
centre of cultural activity for southwestern Ontario.
In addition to the Blyth Festival, the Centre includes
an Art Gallery that showcases three professional
exhibits, one non-juried community show and co-ordinates
a student exhibit each season. Choristers participate
in the professionally-led Blyth Festival singers
and musicians from three counties form the Blyth
Festival Orchestra. As a presented the theatre brings
many outstanding Canadian artists to its stage throughout
the off-season.
In addition, the festival acts as a resource for
local groups and makes its outstanding facilities
available for community use. We play major roles
in the business life of the village and the tourism
industry in Huron County.
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THE LIVERY
35 South Street, Goderich, ON N7A
3L4
1 519 524-6262
Once a horse stable built during the 1840's in the
heart of Goderich Ontario The Livery now houses the
best in professional and amateur theatre, music and
film.
Nationally acclaimed as one of the finest intimate
halls for aesthetic and acoustic ambience, and home
to one of Canada's longest-running community theatre
groups. The Livery is an historic jewel set for the
performing arts.
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