St. Marys' artistic creativity and local history will be on full display next month.
The annual Stonetown Heritage Festival will be taking place in the town July 11, 12, and 13. The three day event includes several free interactive heritage activities, led by local guides. Those with a thirst for historic knowledge can take part in walking tours, waterway walking tours and bus tours. The guided walking tours will begin at Town Hall at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the Saturday, while the river walking tours, which offer a chance to learn about local waterways, will also depart from Town Hall at 10 a.m. and noon the same day. The guided bus tours leave each hour from Town Hall and are a 45-minute round trip. Officials recommend registering in advance to secure a spot by calling the St. Marys Museum at 519-284-3556.
The heart of the festival is the art exhibit and sale happening at 95 Queen St. E. It will highlight the work of members of the Stonetown Art group. The town's creative side will also be on display at Mill Race Island, located beside the falls, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday. Works on display will include painted keepsakes, beaded artwork, wood-burned pieces, and acrylic signs.
There will also be movies in Cadzow Park starting at dusk on the Friday. The movie lineup has yet to be announced. The Army and Navy Air Force Club Bavarian Gardens will have live music and food both Friday night and Saturday.
A downtown street festival, horse-drawn wagon rides, farmers market, and a kids zone are also part of the celebrations on Saturday. The day will end with a fireworks display by the rotary club.
Sunday is all about the green thumb with the turn of the St. Marys Horticultural Society’s Garden Fair from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tour maps will be sold for $10 at Town Hall.
The full festival schedule can be found online at www.discoverstmarys.ca/festival.