Steed & Co Lavender Farm invited visitors to an afternoon of fun and lore at their annual Lavender Fairy Festival on Saturday. Kids came bedecked in wings and other imaginary dress-ups as did many of the adults eager to take part in the magical fun.

The 168th Annual Aylmer & East Elgin Agricultural Fair rolled into town with demo derbies, agricultural exhibits, arts and craft competitions, food vendors, midway rides and a host of other events. Local dignitaries were on hand to help welcome one of the oldest fairs in Ontario and the first of the fair season in Elgin County.

Quai du Vin’s “Summer Sounds Delicious” afternoon saw several premier Canadian Tribute acts stop by the vineyard to belt out their tunes in crowd-pleasing fashion on Sunday.

Pinafore Park has been the perfect setting over the years for events, picnics and family gatherings – this past weekend it proved to be the perfect venue for a new festival, the first St. Thomas Rib Fest.

Dave Ferguson hosted an open house at the Ferguson farm on Saturday, providing local residents with a chance to learn first-hand about a modern dairy operation. The educational opportunity (as well as some kid-friendly activities and free ice-cream) attracted a steady stream of families for tours of the farm just north of St. Thomas.

Canada Day festivities stretched backward from the official holiday on Tuesday July 1st. It was a busy "long weekend" in spots throughout Elgin County, including in Sparta and Port Stanley where visitors could check out some old standby's and some recently opened shops.   

Bishop Soul as Michael Jackson wowed the crowd at Quai du Vin on Sunday, with his sound, look and moves. Backed by a powerhouse band and dancers, “The Michael Jackson Experience” got rave reviews. The concert hosted by Quai du Vin was a fundraiser for the St. Thomas-Elgin Hospital Foundation.

A Father’s Day event at Railway City Brewing Co. featured a taste of today’s finest brews, a tour of the brewery and a trip back in time to learn about beer history in St. Thomas. Local historians Steve Peters and Don Cosens presented photos, information and anecdotes about breweries and hotels over the years. Many of the photos were courtesy of the  Elgin County Archives extensive collection.

Rhubarb (fresh, pies, sauce, jam ...) is the star attraction at the annual Rosy Rhubarb Festival in Shedden, but there's always a whole line-up of other activities and some new ones each year.