Celebrate 150 Years of Leamington - Join the Festivities!

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 kick off with a unique Dream Cruise, a nostalgic journey from noon to 3:00 PM. This historic cruise route, from the Leamington Fairgrounds to the Leamington Dock, will bring back the cherished cruising tradition of Leamington's past. As part of this cruise, a special car show will unfold from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Leamington Dock, showcasing a curated selection of classic cars.

Following the cruise, the festivities will shift to Uptown Leamington for a Car Show from 4:00 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.

The Municipality of Leamington is proud to announce Leamington’s 150th-anniversary celebration, marking a century and a half of community, culture, and progress. This year-long festivity will feature an array of events, including historical exhibits, vibrant night markets and an exciting concert series, reflecting Leamington’s rich heritage and dynamic future.

In a community-driven initiative, the 150th Anniversary Committee, led by John Moran, former president of The Bank Theatre, invites local businesses and individuals to contribute to this historic celebration by sponsoring events. This collaboration symbolizes the unity and strength of Leamington's community, offering a unique opportunity for sponsors to support and engage with the town's vibrant culture and heritage.

As the Committee gears up for this momentous occasion, members of the community who wish to contribute and be a part of the 150th Anniversary celebrations are encouraged to reach out to the 150th Anniversary Committee. Your support and participation will help illuminate this landmark year, making it a memorable celebration for all residents and visitors alike.

Mayor Hilda MacDonald, expressing gratitude toward the community partners, stated, "This milestone is not only a reflection of our municipality's enduring legacy but also a testament to the spirit of collaboration and community that defines Leamington. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our community partners, under the leadership of John Moran and the 150th Anniversary Committee, for spearheading these celebrations. Their dedication ensures that Leamington’s anniversary is not just a reflection of our past but a celebration of our future."

For more information, to become a sponsor, or to get involved with the 150th Anniversary celebrations, please contact the 150th Anniversary Committee at leamington150@gmail.com or by phone at 519-326-8805.