Angelica Haggert
It’s festival season, and Windsor-Essex
has so much to offer! Municipalities and
interest groups in Windsor-Essex showcase
what they’ve got on tap at a huge variety of
festivals and gatherings throughout the
summer. I head to any of them for the fresh
squeezed lemonade - the stands always
buzzing with bees and the plastic glasses with
giant ice cubes. That’s how I know summer’s
really started!
When I was a kid, one summer our dad
took us to almost every festival offered in
Essex County. The weekends blurred together
in lemonade heaven - yet were also different
each week. There wasn’t a dull weekend to be
had that summer, and my sisters and I got to
explore much of Windsor-Essex and find out
all about what makes our area so special. I
don’t know of many other places in Canada
where you can find such a variety of local
specialties.
The festivals in our area, several of them
award-winning, appeal to long-time residents
and visitors alike. From produce like corn and
tomatoes, to fruit offerings like strawberries
and our many area vineyard creations, there’s
something delicious for everyone. If food’s
not your thing, check out the rides and
entertainment set up at each event - although
that spinning apple ride makes me sick! Or if
you’re like me and can’t stomach the
adventure rides, look for new art for your
walls or settle in to listen to local musicians
rock the night away. We are so lucky in this
area to be surrounded by so many small
communities that each has something
different to offer.
Start the summer June 6-8 at Art in the
Park at Willistead Park. Over 300 artists and
vendors set up to sell their works, plus there’s
a kid zone and food tent! And make sure you
don’t miss the Strawberry Festival in Lasalle,
Whether you’ve been to
them all, or never seen a
Windsor-Essex festival,
don’t miss the amazing
lineup waiting for you this
summer. If you’re not into
rides, or live music, or
parades, or vendors galore just go for the lemonade
and summer sun. Trust me,
you’ll love it!
You can find a full year
festival lineup at
www.visitwindsoressex.com
- which one will become
your favourite?
happening the same weekend, which kicks off
with a local beauty pageant and fireworks.
Or you can wait a few weeks and explore
Carrousel of Nations, both around the city
and at the river the last three weekends in
June. I always love watching the Highland
dancers, or grabbing some souvlaki for
dinner as I wander the tents. End June with
our world-famous fireworks show over the
Detroit River - and wander through Summer
Fest where more than half a million people
enjoy a Ferris wheel ride each year.
In July, it’s time for the Fork & Cork
festival, a unique food/wine pairing
opportunity at the river; or you can settle in
for some musical highlights