Meaford is turning 150 this year and you're invited to a series of excellent events to honour our wonderful town!
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Birthday Celebration Kick-off on March 10, 2024 |
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Join us on Sunday, March 10 from 11:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m., starting off at Meaford Hall and then go to the Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre for more festivities. Fun all day long!
Starting off at Meaford Hall at 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.:
Then head to the Meaford & St. Vincent Community Centre for:
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150 Celebration Saturday, June 15, 2024 |
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Parade - 1pm St. Vincent Street to the Harbour:
Meaford's 150th Birthday Party You're are invited to join Meaford’s 150th Birthday Party (following the parade) from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Come on down to the Rotary Harbour Pavilion to join in the FREE, FUN, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES! We’ve got lots of 150 giveaways – We’ve got cake, We’ve got games (egg & spoon races, bean bag bushel basket toss, putting game, Connect 4, Strongman Striker, Bottle Ring Toss and more ……) We’ve got a Farmer’s Market, We’ve got magic, We’ve got a Food Truck, We’ve got prizes, We’ve got surprises and SO MUCH MORE:
See you there! |
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Meaford 150 Local Showcase in Concert - Saturday, June 29 at 7:30 pm |
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Saturday, June 29 @ 7:30 pm – Reg: $20 Stu: $5 Get your tickets here!
Meaford was officially established as a town in 1874 and the community is coming together to celebrate 150 years! Known for many things, Meaford is also recognized for its rich culture and local talent. The Meaford 150 Showcase in Concert is a great example of that!
Opening this showcase is Acapella Sound, a local chorus group composed of women who love to sing in four-part harmony. Their melodic blends are sure to set the tone for a great show. Next on stage will be The Marlins, a well-known local family, consisting of Lucy and Steve and their five children (Maria, Wilder, Mateo, Solomon, & River). Lucy and Steve have been playing music together for over 25 years and music continues to be at the heart of their family. Each family member plays an instrument and sings and are always a crowd pleaser. Paige Warner is no stranger to local stages but is on the cusp of really big things and we’re thrilled to have her join the show. The second act will feature Michael Gagliardi, an accomplished guitarist, specializing in Latin Jazz and Flamenco. Although he has a beloved local fanbase of former school chums, since leaving Meaford and moving to California at age 19, he has traveled the world and shared stages with artists such as BB KING, AARON NEVILLE, BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY, BUDDY GUY, ASIA, JOSE FELICIANO, AL DIMEOLA, FISHBONE, KEITH URBAN and many others. We are grateful that Michael could fit us into his very busy schedule of 170-200 performances per year. magagliardi.com Don’t miss this spectacular local showcase, in celebration of Meaford’s 150! Proudly presented by Meaford Hall
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| Canada Day Celebrations 2024 |
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| Walking / Hiking Tours |
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Find us on Instagram @Meaford150
Meaford 150 Adventure Challenge - Take a bite out of it!! Meaford is celebrating it’s sesquicentennial. The Meaford Adventure Challenge will take you through the trails while learning about Meafords’ history in a family friendly adventure challenge. Complete one hike or complete them all. For every hike you complete, submit a photo with the Meaford 150 logo and your name will be submitted into a draw to win a basket of Meaford prizes!! The challenge will run from May 18th to August 31st. The trails included in this challenge are:
** accessible options Check out Meaford's 150 Sesquicentennial Facebook page for details on where to submit your photos!! Disclaimer: All forms of outdoor recreation have a higher level of risk than most ordinary activities, and therefore can be potentially hazardous and/or dangerous. This includes hiking and other activities on the trails listed. There are many other risks, both natural and/or man-made, that could lead to injury or death while using any hiking trail. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the participants of the Meaford Adventure Challenge to learn the necessary skills for safe hiking and other trail activity, have the proper physical conditioning, and carry the proper gear, including a good trail map, while hiking any trail. All users of this website must assume full responsibility for their own actions and personal safety while hiking on any trail. All participants must also exercise sound judgment, be prepared for all weather and trail conditions, and seek advice from local authorities on current trail conditions and wildlife warnings before venturing out onto any trail.
Historic Hikes Meaford-150 by Robert Burcher (1) Trout Hollow - The history of John Muir, the famous naturalist and conservationist and his time in Meaford in the 1860s. A tour to the cabin site and the Trout Hollow mill site in the Big Head River Valley. (2) The Historic Mills of the Bighead River Valley – Four different mills that used the river for power. Trout Hollow sawmill; Pleasant Valley grist mill; The Georgian Bay Milling and Power Company; the Purdy Grist Mill and Randle's woollen mill at Sykes Street. *Connection with Beautiful Joe Park folks for a tour. 4 hours / 7 kms / Medium difficulty / Carpooling would be necessary. (3) The Royal Oaks Tour – a delightful little saunter in to visit the Oak trees that were grown from acorns that originated at the Royal Windsor Park England. These acorns were distributed during The Royal Tour of 1939. Also, some naturalist knowledge about oaks generally. (4) Indigenous History of Meaford a talk at the site of the Native village shown on the 1880s map. A talk about aspects of the Indigenous history of the area. Hurons, Petuns, Odawa, Ojibwa and Metis.
There is a limit of 15 people on each hike. More hikes will be scheduled if there is a bigger demand. Reserve a spot with Robert Burcher burcherphoto@gmail.com 519-599-6195 for more information.
*Good walking shoes or running shoes - NO sandals. Bring snacks and water. No dogs please. *Hiking at your own risk*
Maps of Trout Hollow can be found at trouthollow.ca Watch this site for information about dates for guided tours
Self Guided Walking Tours (1) Bognor Marsh Loop – greysauble.on.ca (2) Silent Valley – Sydenham section - brucetrail.org look for Bruce Trail Section, Clubs and Maps (3) Crevice Springs Woodford and Woodford Escarpment Loop – Sydenham section – brucetrail.org look for Bruce Trail Section, Clubs and Maps (4) Bayview Escarpment Side Trail – Sydenham section – brucetrail.org look for Bruce Trail Section, Clubs and Maps (5) Pines and Clearview Loops - Polish Soldier – Sydenham secetion - brucetrail.org look for Bruce Trail Section, Clubs and Maps (6) Hibou Conservtation Area – greysauble.on.ca (7) Irish Mountain Lookout – meaford.ca Parks and Trails (8) Tom Thomson Trail – visitgrey.ca look for Tom Thomson Trail
Christ Church, Anglican, Meaford Visit Christ Church for an in-person presentation about the history of the stained glass windows on Saturday June 1 from 10:00 am to Noon. The WW II memorial windows are made of glass from over 125 European churches with some pieces over 700 years old. See the windows, made of shards of stained glass from shattered windows, that Reverend Harold Appleyard arranged to be brought to Meaford.
Day Trips by Vehicle There are many local books available about routes for day trips. Some suggestions are: (1) Daytrips on the Backroads (2) Georgian Bay Trips
Beautiful Joe Park This park has a walking trail. For information, go to beautifuljoe.org Do you know Joe?
Come to Beautiful Joe Park to learn about Meaford’s famous dog, Beautiful Joe, that spear-headed the kindness to animals’ movement way back in 1893. The Beautiful Joe Heritage Society provide leisurely walking tours of this unique park in July and August with their Sunny Sunday Tours from noon to 2:00. Private tours can be accommodated with notice at other times / dates by contacting admin@beautifuljoe.org for individuals or groups up to 40 people. These tours touch on the story of our famous dog and his rescue; the interesting life of author Marshall Saunders who made him so famous; how the park and monuments came to be and who made it all possible …. lots of anecdotes to keep it entertaining with a bit of nature thrown in to round out the experience of this lovely shady place – moments from downtown Meaford.
Please note that once you are in the park, the ground is quite level, and there are several benches on which to rest during a tour if needed. These guided tours take about 30-45 minutes. Visit www.beautifuljoe.org for more info.
A picnic pavilion is onsite and can be booked through the municipality for events. |
| Meaford and St. Vincent Fall Fair |
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Look for the 150th logo throughout our 2024 Fair Book in celebration of Meaford’s 150th - Fair book will appear on shelves in May 2024. Cake Section: Cake 9x13 decorated for Meaford’s 150th Anniversary (judged on appearance) Egg Section: Meaford Birthday Themed egg painted to celebrate 150th Birthday Flowers Section: Celebrate Meaford’s 150th Birthday-arrangement incorporpoating colours from Meaford’s coat of arms, blue & white and incorporate an apple into the design. Other colours, foliage and filler can be included. Photography Section: One print Celebrating Meaford’s 150th Birthday Scrapbooking Section: Celebrating Meaford’s 150th Anniversary Antique Section: Oldest Picture of the Town of Meaford Junior Section ages 5 years & under: Play-dough numbers 150 Junior section ages 6-8 years: Birthday card for Meaford 150th Junior section ages 9-11 years : Write a story called “Meaford’s Birthday Party Mix-up” - ideas, organization and presentation will be judged Junior section ages 12-18 years: Creative writing-A letter from you in 2024 to a resident of Meaford in 1874
DOG SHOW This fun event is brought to you by the Beautiful Joe Heritage Society in celebration of Meaford's 150th birthday.www.beautifuljoe.org Please register entries 11- 12:15 pm. Dog show to start at 1:00 pm. Each dog must be on a leash. You must have with you proof of current vaccinations and must have flea protection (ie advantage, etc). Anyone may show their dog. This is strictly for amateur entrants only. Regular gate admission includes pet entry Fee. Please bring scooper/bag for your doggies accidents. Prizes: 1st $5.00 2nd $4.00 3rd $3.00 All other entries: gift prize
Open to all ages
We would like to invite all ages to put together a time capsule to celebrate Meafords’ 150th. In your time capsule you could include a letter to future Meaford generations of fair goers. “What the fair has meant to me”, plus other items about Meaford. This could be in a shoe box or other appropriate box no more than 8” x10”. This will be showcased in our exhibit hall on August 31st, 2024. There is no entry fee nor is there a prize but all entries will be put into a draw to win a Meaford 150th piece of merchandise of your choice. Please make sure your name, phone number or email contact plus address is on your time capsule. We are also offering a 6’ table to display your 150th historical items please contact us at meafordfallfair@gmail.com & we will reserve a table for you. You would have to be in attendance to display or talk about what you have brought to show. Thank you for celebrating Meaford with us. |
| 2024 Events around the Municipality |
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2024 Events January: February: March: April: May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December: |
Check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/7035771053188067
We have merch!
Your fastest way to get merch is at Meaford Hall or Meaford Museum.
There will be a table set up on June 15th at the harbour
where you can purchase it as well!
Some items that are running low at these locations are available at the online store.
https://m150june.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Have a look at the Sesquicentennial Sponsorship Package and let us know if you are interested in sponsoring.
Sponsorship Package
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Happy Birthday Meaford!
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