Celebrate 150 Years of Leamington - Join the Festivities!

The Municipality of Leamington, in partnership with The Bank Theatre and the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, is happy to announce the 2024 lineup for the Music Onthe42 Summer Concert Series. This year’s series, in celebration of Leamington’s 150th anniversary, promises to be a memorable celebration of local music and community spirit.

Leamington’s SUNSET® Amphitheatre at Seacliff Park will set the stage for an exciting array of musical acts:

• Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM – Richard Janik, Canadian Goldrush Unplugged, will take the stage with a dynamic performance of Canadian hits and 'deep tracks.'
• Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 7:00 PM – James Gibb & Mystery Train Band will delight audiences with a tribute to the legendary Elvis Presley.
• Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 7:00 PM – The Windsor Symphony Orchestra, featuring Maestro Franz, will conclude the series with a captivating musical experience.

All concerts are free and open to the public, offering an un-ticketed, family-friendly environment for all to enjoy.

Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Kinsmen Kanteen. Additionally, to accommodate concertgoers, LT-Go on-demand transit hours have been extended to 11:00 PM for each concert evening.

“We are excited to bring this lineup of local talent to our community as part of our 150th Anniversary celebrations,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “We invite everyone to join us for these memorable evenings of free live music by great local artists.”

The Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, in partnership with Greater Essex ETFO Local, Greater Essex County Occasional Teachers Local, and UE Enclosures, is thrilled to announce an exciting event to celebrate Leamington's 150th anniversary. Supported by the Municipality of Leamington, this interactive multi-generational LEGO mosaic event will take place at the Essex County Library – Leamington Branch, starting the week of August 5, 2024.

This unique celebration invites community members of all ages to come together and contribute to creating a LEGO mosaic, making it a memorable and engaging experience for everyone involved.

The idea for this project was first proposed by Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, who envisioned a community-driven, creative activity to mark this significant milestone.

“We wanted to create something that brings together our community in a fun and engaging way, something that all ages can enjoy and contribute to,” said Mayor MacDonald. “This LEGO mosaic project perfectly embodies our spirit and unity as a community.”

Designed by Jim Wiebe of Aylmer, Ontario, the mosaic will offer both young and young-at-heart participants the chance to place LEGO pieces into a pre-designed form. Jim, known for his intricate LEGO designs, has created a frame and kits based on a selected image, which remains a secret until the mosaic is completed.

Participants will use 431 LEGO plates and 27,648 LEGO pieces to assemble an impressive 5-foot-wide by 5-foot-high image. This collaborative project celebrates creativity and is a testament to the power of community involvement.

The final mosaic, a cherished image revealed only upon completion, will be displayed at the Essex County Library – Leamington Branch.

It was an incredible weekend celebrating Leamington's 150th Anniversary! The festivities featured a Dream Cruise and car show, the grand reopening of the iconic Big Tomato, multicultural concerts, and an unforgettable performance by country music stars Terri Clark and Michelle Wright. We topped it all off with an amazing fireworks display!

Thank you to our community and volunteers for making it unforgettable! Special thanks to Michelle Fortier, John Moran and the entire Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee for orchestrating these fantastic events!

Stay tuned! There are more celebrations to come!

In celebration of Leamington’s 150th anniversary, the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, in partnership with the Municipality of Leamington and Uni-Fab, is proud to host a series of multicultural concerts. This event is a testament to the community's rich diversity and shared spirit.

Join us on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the outdoor stage in Italian Centennial Park, located beside the Leamington Library, for a day filled with vibrant performances and cultural celebrations. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the many uptown Leamington businesses remaining open for refreshments and food.

Entertainment Lineup:

• 2:00 PM - Román De la Cruz - Spanish soloist
• 3:00 PM - Take Two - Italian and more
• 4:00 PM - Denis Bastarache Duo - French and fun
• 5:00 PM - Sabor Latino Band - Spanish Band
• 6:00 PM - Autumn Leaves - a mix of Russian, Yiddish, Polkas, Celtic Jigs & Reels
• 7:00 PM - Jilda Farias - a mix of well-loved songs and opera

This celebration is an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the cultural richness that makes Leamington unique. Don’t miss this fantastic day of music and fun!

For more information, visit leamington.ca/events.

The Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee and the Municipality of Leamington are thrilled to announce the launch of exclusive merchandise in celebration of Leamington’s 150th anniversary. Show your community pride and commemorate this significant milestone by sporting our special Leamington 150 merch!

A variety of items are available, including:

• Leamington 150 Commemorative Booklet
• Pins
• T-shirts
• Hats
• Temporary Tattoos
• Pens
• Stickers

Commemorative items are available for purchase at Leamington 150 events, online at leamington.ca/150Merch, or in person at The Bank Theatre, located at 10 Erie Street South, Leamington. Box Office hours are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM (closed Saturday, June 29). Please note that shipping is not available; all items purchased online must be picked up at The Bank Theatre.

Stock is limited, so secure your commemorative items while supplies last!

Please note: All sales are final. No refunds, returns, or exchanges will be accepted.

Join us in celebrating Leamington’s rich history and vibrant community spirit. Get your Leamington 150 merchandise today and be a part of this historic occasion!

The Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, in collaboration with the Leamington Uptown Business Improvement Area (BIA) and supported by the Municipality of Leamington, is thrilled to announce a Dream Cruise and Car Shows event on Saturday, June 29, 2024. This festive occasion highlights the ongoing celebrations marking Leamington's 150th anniversary.

The festivities will begin with a unique Dream Cruise, a nostalgic journey from noon to 1:00 PM. This historic cruise route, from the Leamington Fairgrounds to the Leamington Dock, will bring back the cherished cruising tradition of Leamington's past.

Following the cruise, the festivities will shift to Uptown Leamington for a Car Show from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Classic cars and hot rods will line the streets of Talbot Street West, Queen Avenue, and John Street, transforming Leamington’s uptown into an exhibition of automotive history and style.

Alongside the impressive display of cars, attendees will enjoy live music at the Italian Centennial Park, located on John Street, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This free community event promises fun for all ages and is a fantastic way to engage with the history and culture of Leamington.

"Leamington's 150th anniversary is a historic occasion, and what better way to celebrate than with a Dream Cruise and Car Shows," said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. "This event is a wonderful opportunity for both residents and visitors to experience the charm of our town. We invite everyone to join us as we drive down memory lane and celebrate our history and community spirit. Let's make this celebration a memorable one for the entire family."

A special invitation is extended to all classic car owners to participate in the car shows. Your participation is free and will significantly contribute to the event's success. The entry form is available at Leamington.ca/Carshow.

Special thanks are extended to Gino DelCiancio and the Leamington Area Classic Cruisers for their dedication and effort in organizing this memorable event.

In a collaborative effort to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Leamington and the 75th anniversary of the Leamington Horticultural Society, the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, in partnership with the Leamington Horticultural Society and supported by the Municipality of Leamington, is set to enhance the local ecosystem by planting 500 native trees and shrubs at Mersea Park using the Miyawaki method of afforestation.

This initiative, partly funded by a generous grant through the Essex Region Conservation Authority’s (ERCA) Clean Water~Green Spaces program, involves transforming a typical grassy area within Mersea Park into a densely packed, vibrant native forest. The chosen species, including White Oak, Black Cherry, White Pine, Tulip Tree, Wild Plum, Spicebush, Hop Tree, Serviceberry, and Sugar Maple, are essential to maintaining local biodiversity, supporting native insects and birds vital to ecological health.

Preparation and Planting Techniques
To prepare for this project, the Municipality of Leamington is currently removing existing non-native vegetation and laying a thick layer of wood chips to suppress regrowth. The area will then be densely planted—three plants per square meter—and fenced to protect young saplings from deer and rabbits. The Miyawaki method ensures rapid growth by mimicking natural forest conditions, potentially maturing the forest in just 20 years—a significant acceleration compared to traditional reforestation efforts.

Tree Planting Event
Community involvement is pivotal for the success of this project. We are calling on a few volunteers to join us in making a difference during the planting event:

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Mersea Park, Leamington
To Volunteer: Email Leamingtonhorticulturalsociety@gmail.com

Participants will have the unique opportunity to contribute to their community's natural heritage and learn about sustainable reforestation. No prior experience is needed, and all ages are welcome to help lay the groundwork for a future forest that will serve as a green legacy of Leamington’s historical milestones.

Join us in planting the seeds for tomorrow’s forest today!

The Municipality of Leamington, in partnership with the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee and The Bank Theatre, is excited to announce the kick-off of Leamington’s 150^th anniversary celebration as part of the Music Onthe42 Summer Concert Series. This historic event, headlined by country music legend Terri Clark, will take place on Canada Day, July 1, 2024!

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Leamington's SUNSET® Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park, the evening promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and community spirit. This free, un-ticketed concert will begin at 6:30 PM with a captivating performance by the talented Michelle Wright. The spotlight then shifts to Terri Clark, who will take center stage at 8:30 PM, enchanting the audience with her legendary talents.

The celebration will reach its grand finale with a display of fireworks over Lake Erie beginning at 10:00 PM. This finale will light up the sky in honour of Leamington's sesquicentennial year and Canada Day, ensuring the 150th-anniversary celebration kicks off with an unforgettable event of light and sound.

More information:

Additional events and the full lineup for the Leamington 150^th Anniversary Celebration/Music Onthe42 Summer Concert Series will be announced soon.

Sponsorships and volunteer opportunities are available by contacting leamington150@gmail.com.

Refreshments are available at the Kinsmen Kanteen. LT-Go transit hours have been extended to 11:00 PM for the concert.

The Municipality of Leamington is excited to announce that members of the community have chosen the official logo for Leamington’s 150th anniversary celebrations. After enthusiastic participation from residents, 552 votes were cast, and the final tally revealed a clear favourite; the winning logo secured 318 votes.

“We are grateful to everyone who participated in the voting process," said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. "This logo is not just a design; it's a reflection of our municipality's journey, its rich agricultural roots, its beautiful natural landscapes, and the vibrant community that calls Leamington home."

The selected logo is a mosaic representing the unique features and stories of Leamington:

The Water: Illustrating Leamington's location along the shores of Lake Erie and the municipality's deep connection with the lake's natural beauty and resources.

The Green Plant: A nod to Leamington’s rich agricultural heritage, this element celebrates the municipality’s history and current success in farming, from tobacco and tomatoes to greenhouse products and the burgeoning cannabis sector.

The Monarch Butterfly: Symbolizing the beauty and natural wonder of migration that Leamington witnesses and shares with the world each year. It also represents the transformation and continuous evolution of the community.

The Birds: Representing the annual migration and the influx of tourists drawn by Leamington's natural beauty and warm hospitality.

The chosen logo will be prominently featured on a range of merchandise, including shirts and other commemorative items, allowing everyone to carry a piece of Leamington's heritage with them.

This year’s anniversary celebration is made possible through a collaboration with the Leamington 150th Anniversary Committee, composed of a dynamic team of community partners and volunteers. The Committee is diligently working to orchestrate a series of memorable events. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events and how you can be a part of Leamington's 150^th anniversary celebrations.

The Municipality of Leamington is gearing up for a grand celebration of its 150th anniversary, a milestone that stands as a testament to our community's enduring spirit and rich heritage. To embody the essence of community and togetherness, we are thrilled to involve our residents in a central aspect of the celebration—to assist in the selection of the official 150th Anniversary logo.

A Symbol that Resonates: The Official 150th Anniversary Logo

As we commemorate this significant milestone, it's important that our symbol of celebration resonates with the community and encapsulates the essence of Leamington's 150-year journey. The proposed logo options are each a mosaic of Leamington's diverse and unique features, each element narrating a part of our town's story:

1. The Water: Symbolizing Leamington's picturesque location on the shores of Lake Erie, this element reflects Leamington’s strong connection with the natural beauty and resources of the lake.
2. The Green Plant: Paying homage to Leamington’s rural roots, the plant represents the rich agricultural heritage of our municipality, from the historic tobacco fields, processing tomatoes and flourishing greenhouse products of all kinds to the vibrant flowers and burgeoning cannabis sector. It's a tribute to all that has grown and continues to flourish in our fertile lands.
3. The Monarch Butterfly: A key feature of the logo, the monarch butterfly symbolizes the beauty and natural wonder of migration that Leamington witnesses and shares with the world each year. It also represents the transformation and continuous evolution of our community.
4. The Birds: Illustrating the annual migration, the birds in the logos represent not only the rhythm of nature but also the influx of tourists who visit Leamington, drawn by the natural beauty and the warm hospitality of Leamington.

We invite all community members to participate in the voting process to help select the logo that best represents Leamington’s journey.

The chosen logo will be prominently featured on a range of merchandise, including shirts and other commemorative items, allowing everyone to carry a piece of Leamington's heritage with them.

We encourage all residents to participate in this exciting process. Your voice will help shape how we commemorate this significant milestone in Leamington’s history. Voting details and the logo options are available at leamington.ca/150

Join us in celebrating Leamington's 150th Anniversary – a celebration of our past, present, and future.