Celebrate 150 Years of Leamington - Join the Festivities!

The Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, in partnership with the Leamington & District Half Century Centre and supported by the Municipality of Leamington, is happy to announce two upcoming all-ages card tournaments in celebration of Leamington’s 150th Anniversary.

A Euchre Tournament will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, followed by the Pepper Tournament on Saturday, October 5, 2024. Both events will be held from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Leamington Half Century Centre, located at 160 Talbot Street East, Leamington.

"We’re happy to offer these inclusive, community-focused events as part of our 150th-anniversary celebrations," said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. "These tournaments are a wonderful opportunity for residents of all ages to come together, enjoy some friendly competition, and celebrate Leamington's history and community spirit."

Whether you're a seasoned card player or new to the game, these events promise an enjoyable experience for all. Space for the tournaments is limited, and participants must register early to secure a spot. To register, email playcards150@gmail.com.

For more information on Leamington’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, visit leamington.ca/150.

The Municipality of Leamington, in collaboration with the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee and The Bank Theatre, is thrilled to announce two upcoming free concerts as part of the MusicOnthe42 Summer Concert Series. These events are part of the continuing celebration of Leamington’s 150th Anniversary and will be held at the picturesque SUNSET® Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park.

Event Details:

• Saturday, August 24: Enjoy an evening of nostalgia with Mary Newland & The Blue Bayou Band, renowned for their captivating renditions of seventies hits from icons like Linda Ronstadt and Fleetwood Mac. Opening the night will be Sam Sly & The Smoke, setting the stage at 7:00 PM with the main performance by Mary Newland & The Blue Bayou Band scheduled from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

• Saturday, September 14: Enjoy an all-original acoustic performance by Leamington's own Jody Raffoul. Jody, a local rock sensation known for his passionate performances and deep roots in our community, will perform from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. This special performance promises to be a heartfelt tribute to the town he loves.

These concerts are free to the public and provide a perfect family-friendly evening. Attendees can purchase refreshments at the Kinsmen Kanteen. To ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities, the LT-Go on-demand transit service will be operational until 11:00 PM.

The Municipality of Leamington, in partnership with the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee and The Bank Theatre, is thrilled to present another exciting MusicOnthe42 summer concert. On Saturday, August 17, at 7:00 PM, music fans are invited to the SUNSET® Amphitheatre at Seacliff Park for a tribute to the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) and John Fogerty, featuring the exceptional Mystic Highway tribute band.

Leamington's own Justin Latam will open the evening at 7:00 PM, followed by Mystic Highway at 8:00 PM, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of music.

Mystic Highway, renowned as the ultimate tribute band, brings to life the iconic music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and the distinctive sound of John Fogerty. Led by the talented Gil Giadola, whose powerful vocals and masterful guitar work capture the essence of Fogerty, the band promises an unforgettable evening of classic rock. Fans can expect to hear timeless hits like “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Proud Mary,” transporting them back to the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll.

The concert will be a full sensory experience, with vintage instruments, authentic attire, and a captivating stage production that recreates the atmosphere of the 1960s and ’70s. Mystic Highway’s dedication to authenticity ensures a performance that not only sounds like CCR but feels like a step back in time.

This concert is free and open to the public, offering an un-ticketed, family-friendly event for all to enjoy. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Kinsmen Kanteen. Additionally, to accommodate concertgoers, LT-Go on-demand transit operates until 11:00 PM.

Quotes:

“The Municipality of Leamington is excited to bring our community together for this special celebration of music and heritage, said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “The MusicOnthe42 concert series has been a wonderful way to showcase Leamington's vibrant culture and beautiful waterfront, and this tribute to CCR and John Fogerty is sure to be a highlight of the summer.”

“We know from event surveys that our audiences are looking for tribute bands, classic rock, country, and music from our local talent,” said John Moran, head of the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee. “Michelle Fortier and I, along with the Leamington 150 Anniversary Committee, have worked together to bring music fans a great experience this summer while celebrating our town with the backdrop of our beautiful waterfront.”

Michelle Fortier, manager of The Bank Theatre, agreed, saying, “The most important thing we can do is bring the community together to laugh, dance, sing, and share in these free concerts! The best thing in life is seeing people happy, and we’re fortunate to be a part of these fantastic events.”

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.