CENTRE WELLINGTON – Culture Days runs Sept. 19 to Oct. 12 throughout the country and in Centre Wellington, the theme is “Canvas of Cultures,” which is as broad and all-encompassing as it sounds.
Music, dance, visual art, theatre, sport, nature, physical activity, history and food are all part of the culture of Centre Wellington.
And many local organizations – more than 85 – have signed on to offer unique, free experiences to residents and visitors of the township during Culture Days.
High on Paula Sealey’s list are the walking tours, the artist studio tours, Sensational Elora’s Monster Month and two productions at the Fergus Grand Theatre.
Sealy is the township’s community development coordinator and is the main contact person in Centre Wellington for Culture Days.
But she’s not an organizer, nor is she running any of the 85-plus events planned for the four-week period.
“There’s a really cool range of performances and activities that are free or pay what you may,” she said in a phone interview. “I’m so grateful to the event organizers who make it possible. And to our community partners – the Elora Fergus Arts Council and the Elora Sculpture Experience.”
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture and Sealy said Centre Wellington punches well above its weight on a national scale.
In 2023 the township ranked in the top 5 communities in Canada; in 2024 it ranked 9th overall in Canada; and both years Centre Wellington placed number one nationally in the category of towns and rural areas.
“This recognition highlights the dedication of our local cultural leaders, volunteers, and residents in making Culture Days thrive here,” she said. “It’s the event organizers who make this possible.”
So, what’s on offer? In a word, a lot.
Your best bet is to visit the township’s website, where all 85 events are listed with descriptions and links to their own websites for maps and further details.
But to name a few…
Elora Sculpture Experience
This is an annual juried outdoor exhibition that runs from May to October each year. Sculptures are installed at sites through the downtown cores of Elora and Fergus and many of the sculptures are for sale.
They are a delight to stumble upon but if you want to see them all, visit elorasculpture.ca, click on the ‘about’ tab, and scroll to the bottom for this year’s map and descriptions of the sculptures.
Self guided walking tours
Several different self-guided walking tours have been put in Fergus and Elora that highlight the history and natural heritage of the area.
The Elora tour takes about 75 minutes and goes through the downtown, paths along the Grand River, then swings by the Elora Centre for the Arts and Bissell Park.
The Fergus tour goes through downtown Fergus, crosses the St. David Street bridge and takes in historical sites south of the Grand River.
This tour takes about 45 minutes to walk.
There’s also a tour of Belwood that includes Belwood Lake and the village of Belwood.
Maps, photos and factual information can be found on the township’s website, centrewellington.ca/explore-cw/tour-centre-wellington.
There are also guided tours. Check the listing for days and times.
Tiny art shows are being held at the local library branches in Aboyne, Fergus and Elora on Sept. 20 from 10 to 3pm in Elora, 10 to 5pm in Fergus and Aboyne, and again in Aboyne on Oct. 1 from 10am to 8pm. Join the show by creating a three-inch-by-three-inch masterpiece, drop-in during branch hours.
The Elora Fergus Studio Art tour
The Elora Fergus Studio Art Tour offers a glimpse into artists’ studion in the township. It runs Sept 27, 28, Oct. 4 and 5 and is part of Culture Days. Advertiser file photo
Artists abound in Centre Wellington and over two weekends, many open their studios to art lovers for the studio art tour.
Potters, painters, fibre artists and more are more than happy to offer a behind-the-scenes look at how they do what they do.
This tour is best to begin at the Elora Centre for the Arts, where many works are on display, as well as brochures with maps to help you find the studios you’re most interested in.
The studio tour runs Sept. 27 and 28 and Oct. 4 and 5, from 10am to 5pm on all dates.
The Fergus Grand Theatre is hosting two events during Culture Days that are free to attend but because of limited seating, pre-registration is required.
Let’s Play is really an invitation to residents to get on stage and show off their talents to a supportive audience. It runs over six shows on Sept. 28, at 10am, noon, 2pm, 4pm, 7pm and 9pm.
The second performance is for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 from 7 to 9pm.
The Township of Centre Wellington and Dalton Associates are sponsoring this special presentation by Leo Stands Alone Atlookan of Eabametoong First Nation, who will be joined by his brother Elmer, a talented flutist, hand drummer and woodland dancer.
Together, they will share cultural teachings, personal reflections, and stories that highlight the enduring impacts of residential schools on families, communities and Nations.
Sensational Elora has a jam-packed month with Monster Month and all that entails.
The monsters come out on Oct. 3 for The Awakening from 6:30 to 8pm in the Elora GreenSpace. And then watch out – the monsters could be anywhere (and will be everywhere).
This is a bit of a theatrical performance, said Sensational Elora co-chair Barb Lee in a phone interview.
“It’s a dramatic launch of Monster Month where we release the spirits,” Lee said, adding Elora Community Theatre is helping with lights, fog and special effects to make the event properly “ghoulish.”
The event has been held in the afternoon in the past but this year volunteers are hoping more people can attend – and the event will be spookier – if done after sunset.
Sensational Elora also hosts Pumpkin Day at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. This year it’s on Oct. 11.
Pumpkin Day is Oct. 11 this year where pumpkin carving is part of the fun. Advertiser file photo
It’s an opportunity to try your hand at pumpkin carving, to visit the reptile zoo, and enjoy entertainment by local musicians, the Indigenous group Tribal Vision, the Blue Bonnet Lassies and an African drumming event.
“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate autumn and community,” Lee said. “We encourage donations of food for the Centre Wellington Food Bank or cash donations, but the event is free.”
The dance troupe Dance and Heart is performing two different shows at the Fergus Grand Theatre during Culture Days.
While the troupe has participated in other dance festivals, “this is our first show of our own,” said troupe founder Norah Wardell, who founded Heart and Dance in 2020.
“I started dance late in life for a dancer; I was in my 20s. And I would advocate that anyone can dance, even later in life,” she said.
She started with seven dancers and the troupe has grown to 20, who come from Guelph, Waterloo, London and closer to home.
“It shows me people are looking for opportunities to perform. People are curious to dance in a professional arena.”
The group, that ranges in age from 9 to 65, came up with the stories and the choreography collaboratively
and are keen to take to the stage.
The dance Quest is the story of a baby swan who has a conflict with a unicorn and is appropriate for young children.
Raft is also a fantasy but geared to a 14+ audience.
Performances are on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 with Quest staged at 6pm and Raft at 8pm on each of the dates.
“We’re a dance theatre group,” Wardell said. “We’re really into the storytelling of dance.”
There’s more – much more happening during Culture Days.
Free public skates in Fergus and Elora, Grand Celtic Pipes and Drums offering free shows in Elora and Fergus, there are outdoor yoga classes, free cooking demonstrations, open mic events at local bars and restaurants – too many events to list them all.
The complete list of local events can be found on the township website, centrewellington.ca/explore-cw/culture/ and then scroll down to Ontario Culture Days and the Culture Days hub tab.
