Apple-picking time is just starting at Great Lakes Farms. Along with a chance to purchase apples, pears and pumpkins or try treats like Mile High Apple Pie, Great Lakes offers fun outdoor activities for families. A pirate ship, sand box, straw mountain and pedal carts are just some of the activities going on in the Fall Fun Farm.

The twentieth edition of St. Thomas’s Iron Horse Festival started at 11am today, in its new location between the Elgin County Railway Museum and the CASO Railway Station. Here are some positives observed on a quick first trip to the 2014 edition in this new venue.

Cowboys, cowgirls and crowds, along with a whole lot of horses sauntered on Saturday over to this year's home for the Cactus, Cattle & Cowboys Western Festival in Rodney.

Seniors filled Pinafore Park in St. Thomas on Wednesday for the annual gathering and opportunity to meet with friends, listen to live music, and learn about services, products and activities available locally.

Billed as loud, fun and exciting, the Shedden Tractor Pull brings crowds annually to the Shedden Keystone Complex. It delivers on that promise and photographer Mark Girdauskas was on hand to capture some of the excitement on June 13th.

 

Elgin Teddy Bear Picnics are hosted by the Elgin Teddy Bear Picnic Committee, with 2014 events in St. Thomas June 11th, Straffordville July 16th and West Lorne August 13th. Teddy Bear clinics, crafts, construction, safety, sensory activities and music are designed to delight children ages 0 to 6.

Late May, on the Elgin Hiking Trail

With winter hanging on, the maple syrup season has yet to get into full swing, but Palmer’s Maple Syrup Festival is on. It's a great place on March weekends to learn about production of the sweet treat with woods and shanty tours, maple leaf branding and pancake breakfast available.