W E L C O M E S U M M E R TILLSONBURG-STYLE
Come out of your shell during Turtlefest weekend (June 14-16)
later, Turtlefest celebrates Tillsonburg’s slow and steady rise from a hamlet on the Otter to thriving small town. “Turtlefest is an opportunity for people to come out of their
Turtlefest 2019, presented by Shaw’s Ice Cream, will kick off on Friday, June 14, with the Downtown Block Party. The fun gets started at 5:00 p.m. with merchant booths and live busker-style shows from the Stupendous Silver Sisters (aerial act) and Tex Rexman Comedy Cowboy. At 7:00 p.m., the Country 107.3 stage will start rolling with toe- tapping, boot-scootin’ shows featuring Canadian country stars Kelsi Mayne, Nice Horse and The Abrams. For those who like to be hands-on, why not give axe- throwing, jousting or the 25 foot climbing wall a try? And to capture your memories, don’t forget to strike a pose in the free photo booth. When you’re ready to relax, head over to Annandale National Historic Site for an outdoor screening of LEGO MOVIE 2 at dusk. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and lawnchairs! Saturday and Sunday,
Written by Michele Sponagle T here’s no surer sign that summer is on the way than the arrival of Turtlefest. Held each Father’s Day weekend, this signature three-day event features just about everything you love about summer, including live music and shows, yummy food and tons of interactive activities. So why does Tillsonburg have an event honouring turtles? It’s a great question. The answer goes back to 1864, when Tillsonburg’s aging founder, George Tillson promised to return one day as a turtle to see how his town was prospering. Remarkably, a few years after George Tillson’s death, a giant turtle appeared on the banks of the Otter Creek. Remembering their founder’s words, the citizens took “George” downtown so he could see the town’s progress. More than 130 years
shell and discover small-town living at its finest,” says Festival Director Suzanne Fleet. “Each year, the organizing committee tries to improve on the year before, adding new acts and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.”
17
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online