Our Region has recently progressed to Stage 3 and with that the Town Facilities will be undergoing a gradual reopening. To see what services are available visit www.amherstburg.ca/covid19 or call 519-736-0012
Thank you for your understanding.
The Town of Amherstburg is looking for a Mural Artist to create an original mural on the Privy building located at 242 Dalhousie St.
Dancing Swallows – The Vineyard on the Hutchins Farm Family tradition claims that this is the “best farmland in Essex County”. Whether that’s absolutely true may be debated, but there is no question that the Hutchins Farm is an exceptional piece of farmland. Ceded from the Crown in 1835, it passed through various hands, until it was purchased by Francis Gore Hutchins in October 1881 for six thousand dollars, which was real money in those days. Originally worked as a typical Southern Ontario full mixed farm, it evolved over the years into a strictly cash crop operation to make best use of the soil. But almost all the buildings remain from the mixed use days. Regardless of their current use, each building is known by its original function.
When the latest generation took over the farm in 1999 the question was: what to do with a 100 acre farm on “best farmland in Essex County”? The answer was found in the Burford Loam soil and the fact the farm sits on a ridge. In Essex County an 8 foot ridge is significant, particularly for a vineyard, as any elevation advantage reduces killing frosts. The gravel in the ridge drains water away keeping the vines ‘feet’ dry. And the dolomotic limestone soil appears to give the test plot wines unique flavours.
And where did the name, “Dancing Swallows”, come from? When the new owners were out working in the Test Plot, they looked up and there were the swallows, having fun diving and swooping, chasing each other, and even playing ‘chicken’ with the tractors. They started serving as a reminder that the whole purpose was to produce wines to enjoy, and that you have to take a step back from all the technical details, and be like the dancing swallows – just have some fun.
Dancing Swallows is located at:
8704 Essex Road 9, Amherstburg, ON N9V 0C8
Phone (519) 563-7697
Email: info@dancing-swallows.com
Every Friday beginning at 4pm throughout the weekend to Sunday evening the streets of Downtown Amherstburg are open for visitors to enjoy an open air safe atmosphere. Businesses in Amherstburg are ready to welcome back their visitors and customers again, some with outdoor patios, cafes and sidewalk retail. Active transportation is encouraged! Bike racks have been installed at Dalhousie at Rankin and Gore, along with Richmond and Ramsay, to accommodate up to 75 bicycles.
Visit us safely is the mantra: wash hands, distance and wear a mask when needed.
In accordance with the Federal and Provincial COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, the Town of Amherstburg is pleased to invite residents and visitors alike to the “OH CANADA DAY- AMHERSTBURG” VIRTUAL celebrations, starting Friday June 26, 2020 to Wednesday, July 1, 2020!
Visit Amherstburg Facebook followers can get social virtually by, reveling in local artist performances, through shared participation in many activities, chances to win prizes and so much more! The “Oh Canada Day – Amherstburg’s” virtual program is funded in part by the Celebrate Canada Program grant from the Ministry of Canadian Heritage. These monies include consideration for an alternate date when the live fireworks display can take place.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our Nation’s history now more than ever. Our community is anxious to connect with each other and our visitors and until large gatherings are permissible, we are proud to offer this experience as a little piece of virtual Amherstburg – about our people, our town, our traditions!” says Mayor Aldo DiCarlo.
Let’s celebrate the virtual “OH CANADA DAY – AMHERSTBURG” experience together, follow Visit Amherstburg on Facebook. www.facebook.com/visitamherstburg
Amherstburg’s Gibson Gallery a Michigan Central Railroad Station, ca. 1896, has been lovingly renovated to its original Romanesque glory featuring towering ceilings, hardwood floors and bevelled glass windows. This season they are offering yet another creative perspective to kick off their 2020 art exhibits.
The year starts by exploring “Artists of the Future!” This is a collaborative exhibit display of a variety of work and mixed media from students at General Amherst and St. Thomas of Villanova High Schools. You will be astounded by the creative genius of these local youth. This is a not to be missed exhibit taking place during regular gallery hours from March 5 to March 22, Thursday-Sunday, 11am-5pm.
Various artwork inside the Gibson Gallery
Gloria Gellner: Artist
The following exhibit puts art into the 3D medium of pottery! Gloria Gellner graduated from the University of Windsor in 1975 with a BFA degree. Her passion was creating her beautiful pottery as part of “The Potters Four†in LaSalle. Later, she became sole proprietor of “Capricorn Pottery†and relocated to Kingsville. Since 1977, Gloria had shared her knowledge and love of this art with countless students, inspiring others, as well as being a well-respected artist in the Essex county community and beyond. AFTERGLOW: Gloria Gellner Retrospective exhibit shows the progression from her earliest pieces to ones completed just prior to her passing in March 2018. This exhibit runs from March 26 to April 19, Thursday-Sunday 11am-5pm.
Merging Concepts by Ann Ducharme is certain to take your breath away with dotilism, a technique of painting in small, distinct dots of colour which are applied in patterns to form an image. Ann’s love for nature is evident through all her works as she touches the sky with her brush or creates light dancing on a leaf. Her artwork will speak to you! This exhibit runs from April 23 to May 17, Thursday-Sunday, 11am-5pm.
Ann Ducharme: Artist
Andrea Loubert: Photographer
The spring season of exhibits will be completed with Student Pix: Digital Photography GECDSB, May 21 to June 7, Thursday- Sunday, 11am-5pm. Through the lens of fresh eyes…the Gibson Gallery has joined the Greater Essex County District School Board to present the 15th Annual Student Pix, an exhibit featuring approximately 250 digital photographs by elementary and secondary students from across Essex County.
Visit the Gibson Gallery March 5 to June 7, 11am-5pm to see these spring 2020 exhibits. The Gallery also showcases and sells a variety of other handcrafted works from artists and artisans in their gift shop.
Admission is FREE. Donations help support this heritage site.
Well Amherstburg has an opportunity for you to shake off hibernation and get outside. Will it be warm? No! The bottom line is we are Canadians, we will never beat the season of winter so why not embrace it?!
The new event TRUE Festival is an opportunity to get outside and warm your soul with the beats of DJs Kevin Bailey and Josh Karmin. That’s right! We are going to keep ourselves warm with 70’s disco hits and the warm hospitality of downtown Amherstburg businesses as they open their doors with special offers. Be sure to rest your dancing feet at the festival and channel your inner lumberjack by throwing an axe with Bad Axe or participate in a Canadian experience with traditional maple syrup activities with John R. Park Homestead.
Want to get an early start? Look no further than the Cupid Dash .5k as a fun and quirky activity to get you in the spirit of the season. You read it correctly, it is 500 metres of valentine antics to get your heart pumping. The TRUE Festival is a free event and to participate in the DASH you will need to register. Don’t wait to register for this spoof on a traditionally “serious” run and earn your gold cupid wings (first 250 registered). Join as a lonely heart or register with your tribe or family. This will be a great way to show our environment a little love on Valentine’s as a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Essex Region Conservation Authority.
So find a pair of snow pants or bring out that one piece snowsuit you never wanted to wear. Swap a winter hat for a wig, or better yet, wear both and enjoy this festival which celebrates our diversity and love to get down on it!
