It’s that time of year again.
On June 20 from 10am-4pm, Centre Wellington is throwing its doors (wide) open as part of a provincial celebration of heritage, architecture, parks and culture.
This year’s theme is Ontario’s Sport Heritage and the twelve unique sites aren’t holding any punches as they share a peek into places you can’t normally go, tell stories you haven’t heard before and offer experiences you don’t get every day. Highlights for the day include:
– The grand re-opening of the Centre Wellington Hall of Fame at the Sportsplex, which will induct three local athletes including, Canadian Wheelchair Basketball World and Olympic Champion Patrick Anderson; Women’s World Cup Rugby player Jane Kirby of the Highland Rugby Club; and NHL star Jamie McGinn. Jamie will be on hand to sign autographs from 10:30am until noon;
– The Fergus Curling Club, established in 1834, is the oldest continuously running curling club in Ontario and will have a wealth of history on display. “Hurry hard” and try your hand at throwing a rock;
– Tour the barn and check out the view from high atop the announcer’s booth at the Grand River Raceway, plus take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive a racehorse;
– Meander below ground at the Wellington County Museum and Archives and the Fergus Grand Theatre. Some say there are ghosts in both of these historic buildings, but you’ll never know without visiting! The Museum has also unearthed special Sports memorabilia from yesteryear;
– Step back in time and into the future simultaneously at The Elora Mill, as Pearle Hospitality unveils the amazing historic beams and stonework that they have discovered in their renovations;
– Tie one on at Grand River Outfitting & Fly Shop and learn the beauty of fly-fishing in the historic Fergus Marketplace;
– Take a hike in the great outdoors with the Elora Cataract Trailway Association and enjoy a fully accessible guided hike at 10am from the Beattie Line Trailhead, or grab a map for a self-guided hike;
– Engage in some retail therapy and pick up some décor hints and know how, as well as peeking behind the scenes at charming local shops Honeychurch Lane and Seasons & Cinnamon, two of Elora’s oldest buildings;
– Get back to the country at the Wellington Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and appreciate the connection between the earth and your table; and
– If you haven’t already seen the amazing renovations of the Fergus Library, this is a perfect opportunity to explore as well as see their state-of-the-art technologies on display.
Making this year’s Doors Open a gold medal contender, several Sports related special events are also happening around the community. Yours to enjoy as you travel from site to site:
– The Fergus Scottish Festival Heavy Event Athletes are preparing to reclaim their Guinness Book of World Record Caber Toss title. See if you have what it takes to toss a caber, throw a stone or hurl a hammer, under the careful tutelage of these gentle giants. There’s even a special event for the wee ones;
– Voices guided walking tours of both Fergus and Elora;
– Kick up your heels with Blue Bonnet Lassies Highland Dancers;
– Re-energize with a special Sports Day cuppa at Bentley House of Teas; and
– Catch a match of Canada’s fastest growing sport at The Inverhaugh Cricket Club. Elora Fergus Tourism’s Elizabeth Bender noted that the sites involved in this year’s event are “amazing in and of themselves plus they are going above and beyond for Doors Open to provide visitors with experiences they won’t soon forget.”
Bender added that as in previous years, a passport outlining site details, special events as well as sporting locations of interest will guide visitors through their day. Visitors are encouraged to collect passport stamps at each site for a chance to win a prize.
Further details are available at doorsopenontario.on.ca/ferguselora. Get your passport now at the Elora Information Centre, any Doors Open site, or print your own at centrewellington.ca.
