☀️ Hello Norfolk! ☀️ 

🚨 It’s here, Norfolk — BAYFEST WEEKEND! 🚨 Port Rowan is about to explode with three straight days of contests, parades, live music, fireworks, and the kind of small-town energy you feel in your bones. This is the end-of-summer bash, and you don’t want to miss a minute. And when the sparks fade, Simcoe Curling Club is sliding right into the spotlight 🥌 — leagues, learn-to-curl, and a season of laughs on the ice. Add in wall-to-wall events and live music all over the county 🎶, and you’ve got one epic week in Norfolk.

Keep reading to catch it all,
-Brad

CURLING

🥌❄️ Curling Season Is Calling: Join the Simcoe Curling Club!

If you’ve ever wanted a sport that’s social 🤝, strategic 🧠, and seriously addictive 😍—this is your sign. The Simcoe Curling Club—rooted in Norfolk history since 1873 📜 and going strong in its modern home since 1955—has another big season ahead, and they want you on the ice. ⛸️

Why this club? 🤔

✨ Community hub: From first-timers to lifers, 300+ members call this place home 🏠. With 4 sheets of ice ❄️, a cozy lounge 🛋️, bar 🍻, and kitchen 🍲, it’s the perfect place to play, cheer, and connect. The season runs October–April.

🏆 Proven credentials: They’ve hosted high-calibre events like the Ontario Masters Provincial Championship, showcasing top-tier ice & hospitality right here in Norfolk. 🌟

New? Start here 👶➡️🥌

The club’s Learn to Curl programs are designed for absolute beginners—no gear, no experience, no problem 🙌.
👉 Single-day intros & multi-week options.
👉 Adult Learn-to-Curl is just $150 and open to the public (no membership needed!). 💵

Something for every age (and every vibe) 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

👧 Little Rockers & Youth Curling: Safe, fun, skills-first programs to get kids sliding, sweeping, and smiling 😁.
👩‍🦰👨‍🦱 Social & Competitive Leagues: Ladies, Men’s, Mixed, Open, Seniors—pick your pace & your people 👫.
🎉 Bonspiels & Events: From local fun to cash spiels (hello, Golden Gardens 🥇), the calendar is stacked!

Quick facts you’ll love 📌

📍 Where: 172 South Dr, Simcoe (easy parking 🚗, easy access).
🗓️ When: Prime curling months October–April.
🏟️ Facilities: 4 sheets + lounge + bar + kitchen = perfect winter nights 🌙.

How to jump in (today) 🚀

✅ Try a Learn to Curl session.
✅ Pick a league that matches your schedule 🗓️ & skill level.
✅ Bring the family—programs from youth to seniors.

Bottom line 💡

Curling is part chess ♟️, part shuffleboard 🎯, and part belly-laugh with friends 😂. Whether you’re aiming for a provincial run 🏆 or a Friday-night social 🍻, the Simcoe Curling Club makes winter in Norfolk unforgettable. 🌨️

👉 Get on the ice, meet great people, and join a Norfolk tradition that’s been rolling for 150+ years.

BAYFEST

Bayfest 2025: A Long Weekend of Family Fun by the Bay

As summer wraps up, Port Rowan comes alive during Long Point Country Bayfest, a cherished holiday weekend festival brimming with family fun, friendly contests, and small-town charm. This beloved event is back for Labour Day Weekend—Friday, August 29 to Sunday, August 31, 2025—offering three full days of activities and community spirit in downtown Port Rowan.

Throughout the weekend….SPOT THE HERON! Ages 5-12. Pick up your instructions at the Information Booth on Bay Street.

Friday, August 29: Kickstarting the Fun

• 3 pm – 5 pm: Washer Toss Tournament at Port Rowan Community Church (1030 Bay Street), a lighthearted competition sponsored by the Church.

• 8 pm onwards: Family Movie Night on Bay Street/Port Rowan Park—bring lawn chairs and enjoy a film under the stars. Andy the Balloon Guy will be onsite, adding whimsy and fun. Sponsored by LMP Mini Excavation and Landscaping & Wolven St. Productions.

Saturday, August 30: A Day Packed with Play

A full day of contests and activities for all ages—*many requiring pre-registration about 30 minutes before the event:

• 10am – 4pm Inflatables Bay Downtown. Proceeds to Port Rowan Public School.

• Street Chalking “ALL DAY” Bay Street & Bay Hill Area.

• 9am Dog Show* Bay Street. Sponsored by Pets Global Inc. & Doerksen Country Store. Categories: Best Costume, Best Musical Sit, Best Treat Catcher, Best Paw Shaker, Surprise Category: Best in Show!

• 9am – 12pm Try Pickleball Drop by the Port Rowan Community Centre Courts. Learn to Play Pickleball – All equipment provided, proper athletic footwear required. For more information call 519-842-3200 ext 209. Sponsored by Stonebridge Community Centre.

• 9:30am Baby Contest 1049 Bay Street. Sponsored by Y Knot Shop.

• 9:30am Build-A-Boat By The Bay The Harbour/Dock Area, Contest forms available at Port Rowan Home Bldg. Centre. Register in advance.

• 10am Frog Toss* Bay Street – Test your skills tossing plastic frogs at a target. Sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion Br. #379.

• 10am Canadian Long Drive Championship Stark’s Golf Course, Port Rowan.

• 10:30am Wacky Hair Contest* 1010 Bay Street. Ages 5-13. Sponsored by The Cutting Wave. Wackiest…Be Creative!

• 11am Hula Hoop Contest* Downtown on Bay Street. Ages 4-16. Bring your own hula hoop. Sponsored by Cheshire’s on Bay.

• 12 noon Kids Casting Contest* Ages 4-12 and 8-12. You’ll need your own pole! Community Centre Park. Sponsored by The Thrift Shoppe.

• 12:30pm Build-A-Boat By The Bay Race The Harbour/Dock Area Sponsored by Port Rowan Home Bldg. Centre, Ducks Landing, and Inner Bay Boatworks.

• 1pm – 3pm Sandcastle Contest Long Point Beach by Stubbs. Sponsored by Mouse Poop Rodent Control.

• 1pm – 5pm “The 50’s Café” 1023 Bay Street. Sponsored by Olde Tyme Deli & Eatery.

• 1pm Soap Box Derby. Bay Hill. One rider per car. Sponsored by B&Z Trucking, Heidi Wilson – Realtor, Peak Peninsula, and Automotion Towing.

• 1pm – 1:30pm Boot Camp. At the docks – Pavilion Area. Sponsored by At My Playground.

• 2pm Ice Cream Eating Contest Twins Ice Cream Parlour, 1028 Bay Street Ages 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 50 & Over. First 20 in each group will compete. Pre-register at Twins one week before Bayfest

• 3pm – 3:30pm Live Music by Eric Harris. Harbourview Park.

• 3pm Selfie Scavenger Hunt Pre-registration at 2:30pm, Bay Street. Teams of 2-4 people. Digital camera or smartphone required. Sponsored by Shear Creations.

• 3pm – 6pm “Atkinson Brothers” Live Music on the Patio. Port Rowan Legion Br. #379 Patio, 12 Centre Street.

• 3:30pm – 4:45pm Live Music by Bay Buoys. Harbourview Park.

• 6pm – ? Street Dance. Bay Street. Ken Lightheart and North Shore Ramblers.

• 7pm Campfire Concert Series Harbour/Area. Featuring Trooper. Sponsored by Amplify Norfolk. Tickets available at sandpines.ca

Sunday, August 31: Parade and Family Bliss

Sunday brings tradition, community, and delicious treats:

• 7am – 1pm Kids Fishing Derby Port Rowan Harbour. Age Categories: 0-6; 7-12; & 13-18. Sponsored by Averie Rose Bonin

• 8:30am – 12noon Royal Canadian Legion Br. #379 Brunch** 

• 9am – 1:30pm Big Boy Toy Show Downtown. Bring your CLASSIC PRE-1980 CAR, RAT ROD or ANTIQUE TRACTOR to display! Come dressed in the era of your car! Ride in the parade at 2pm Sponsored by CarQuest Auto Parts, Delhi.

• 10am Adult Casting Competition Corner of Bay St. & Wolven St. Bring your own pole. Overhand Casting. Cash prizes. Youth competition for 13-17 years; Adult Competition 18+ Sponsored by: At The Bridge, Bayview Harbour Marina, Biddle Marine, Old Cut Marine Service, Sandboy Marina, Twins Ice Cream Parlour, Lily Mart, Old Cut Livery, Collin’s Harbour Marina Resort, and Trillium Court Trailer Park & RV Centre.

• 10am Christian Worship Service Side lawn of the Community Church. Bring Your Own Lawn Chair.

• 10am Canadian Long Drive Championship Stark’s Golf Course, Port Rowan

• 10am Barricades AT: BAY & CHESTNUT and BAY & PRICE

• 11:30am Fire Guy Harbourview Park Sponsored by Port Rowan Pharmasave

• 12noon Kids Costume Contest 1049 Bay Street Sponsored by Y Knot Shop Theme: A Day on the Bay

• 1:30pm Decorated Bike Contest* Ages 4-12. Free Methodist Church Parking Lot. Sponsored by Godfather’s Pizza. Bring Your Helmet and Plan to Ride in the Parade!

• 2pm Bayfest Parade Bring Your Own Lawn Chairs. Donations for Fireworks.

• 3:30pm Fire Guy Harbourview Park Sponsored by Port Rowan Pharmasave.

• 3pm – 7pm Inflatables. Port Rowan Community Church. Proceeds to Langton Little Peoples Daycare.

• 4pm – ? Long Pt. Lion & Lioness Chicken BBQ & Pie Sale** Port Rowan Community Centre. Eat-in or Take-out. Bring Cash!

• 4pm – 7pm Norfolk Fire Stn. #9 Pork BBQ** Port Rowan Fire Hall. Bring Cash!

• 7pm – 9pm – Felicia McMinn Special thanks to: Stobbe’s Tree Service, Port Rowan Thrift Shoppe, Norfolk Packers. Onsite: Andy the Balloon Guy.

• Approx. 9pm FIREWORKS!!! Special thanks to the Port Rowan Fire-Fighters for their assistance. Special thanks to: Norfolk Electric, Port Dover KIA, Long Point Lions, Long Point Lioness, Ducks Landing, Townsend Lumber, LMP Mini-Excavation & Landscaping.

Note: Events, times, locations subject to change. Updates will be made on Facebook.

Why Bayfest Matters

After more than 30 years of delighting locals and visitors (originally as "Tomato Fest" before becoming Bayfest in 2001), this festival remains a key fixture in Port Rowan’s calendar, uniting families through creativity, competition, and camaraderie.

Bayfest 2025 is poised to deliver unforgettable moments—from watching kids hula-hoop to music under the stars—and truly celebrates the spirit of community by the bay.

FUNDRAISE

💜 Kolouring for a Kure 🎨🖍️

Kathryn Stewart fought neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, from age 5 until 19. In her memory, her aunt Karen Stewart has created a special colouring book fundraiser to support cancer research at SickKids.

📘 24 original colouring pages
💲 $10 per book
📍 Capitol Arts Market, 13 Norfolk St S, Simcoe

👉 Proceeds go to Kathryn’s Krop 4 a Kure, a registered charity funding childhood cancer research

By picking up a copy, you’re honouring Kathryn’s legacy and helping move us closer to a cure for childhood cancer. 💜

HAPPENINGS

Thursday August 28th

🎲 Board Game Nite | Simcoe Library | 6pm - 9pm | Drop in and play!

🍟 1st Anniversary Celebration | 76 Main St Courtland | 11am - 7pm | Kay & Annie's Roadside Eatery Food Truck | Celebrate with a piece of cake | More

🎣Bass Tournament | Collins Harbour Marina | 5pm - 9pm | Fish and win prizes | More

👩 1-Year Anniversary Open House | Mandelic Medical Aesthetics | 6pm - 9pm | Games, Door Prizes, Coupons, Demos | More

🍗Wing Night | Delhi German Home | $1 per wing with purchase of beverage | Dine in only | More

Friday August 29th

♠️ Catch the Ace | Simcoe Legion | 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Ace of spades was worth $5695.50 last week | Get lucky | Proceeds to Hospice and Scholarships | More

🎤 Karaoke | Waterford Legion | 7pm | Bring your voice and a friend | More

⛲️Festival Of Fountains Show | Whistling Gardens | 6pm - 8pm | 2 hour experience | 22 acres of paradise | Musical fountain show at nightfall | More

*Correction: gates do not open until 7pm with most shows lasting until 9pm (changing slightly) depending on sunset. Folks can use the ticket as a same day garden pass 10am – 5pm too.

⚾️ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Jersey Give Away Night | Boston Pizza | 7pm - 10pm | Watch the game and get a chance to win a jersey | More

🔬 Free Kids Summer Camp | Simcoe Town Centre Mall | 1pm - 2pm or 2pm - 3pm | Wacky science camp | First come first served | More

Saturday August 30th

🥁 Free Open Jam | Teeterville Legion | 1pm - 10pm | Bring an instrument or just come and listen | Hot dogs available for purchase

🎸 Otterfest 2025 | The Phat Otter Recording and Rehearsal | 2pm | Annual summer music bash | More

⛲️Festival Of Fountains Show | Whistling Gardens | 6pm - 8pm | 2 hour experience | 22 acres of paradise | Musical fountain show at nightfall | More

*Correction: gates do not open until 7pm with most shows lasting until 9pm (changing slightly) depending on sunset. Folks can use the ticket as a same day garden pass 10am – 5pm too.  

🚗 Classics and Hops Fundraiser Car Show | Ramblin’ Road Brewery | 9am - 3pm | Cars, music, silent auction, 50/50, food and drink | More

🪩 Goodbye Summer ~ Last Club Night | Turkey Point Hotel | Doors open 10pm | Party till you drop | More

🎸 Parabolus - Tribute to Tool | Capitol 33 | 8pm | A night of intensity, atmosphere, and sonic exploration | Tickets

Sunday August 31st

🛶 Sunday Safari Paddles | Newfie Nautical Tours | 9:30am | Discover wildlife on Black Creek | Register

Monday September 1st

🚗 Show and Shine | Silver Lake Park | 4pm - Dusk | Music, classic cars, bikes | More

🛶 Free Summer Social Paddles | Newfie Nautical Tours | 6pm | Where paddle boarding meets community | Register

Tuesday September 2nd

💐 Flower and Vegetable Show | Waterford United Church | 7pm | Hosted by Waterford and District Horticultural Society | More

Wednesday September 3rd

🍖 Roast Beef Supper | Waterford Legion | Tickets at 5pm - serving at 5:30pm | $14 per person | Dessert included | Eat in or take out

🪕 Crooked Stovepipe Folk Orchestra | Port Dover Harbour Museum | 7pm | Jigs & reels, waltzes, two-steps and rags, sentimental standards, jive ditties, and singalong favourites | Admission by donation | Bring a chair | More

UPCOMING

🍅 Tomato Taste Trial Night | Meadow Lynn Market Garden | Thursday Sept 4th | 6:30pm | Taste over 15 different varieties grown in the garden | Open to any tomato lover | Register

🏈 NFL Kickoff Party: Cowboys vs Eagles | Boston Pizza | Thursday Sept 4th | 9pm | More

👯 Zumbathon for Hope | Final Touch Fitness | Sunday September 7th | 1pm - 3:30pm | Support Tumaini Children’s Foundation | More

⛸️ Canskate: Learn to Skate | Simcoe and Waterford Arenas | Starts September 8th 2025 | Register

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday August 28th

🎶Boston Pizza | Jay Davis | 7:30pm

Friday August 29th

🎶Sandbar on the Beach | Eric Mills | 6pm
🎶Schofield’s | Hannah Dolson | 5pm
🎶Dover Links | Felicia McMinn | 4pm
🎶211 Main | Sarah Church | 7:30pm

Saturday August 30th

🎶Port Rowan Lion’s Park | Trooper | 6pm | Tickets
🎶211 Main | Mary Simon | 7:30pm
🎶Harbour View Park Port Rowan | Eric Harris | 3pm
🎶Port Rowan Legion | Atkinson Brothers | 3pm
🎶Harbour View Park Port Rowan | Bay Buoys | 3:30pm

Sunday August 31st

🎶 Waterford Legion | The Thompsons | 3pm
🎶 Powell Park | JD Semple and the West ¼ Line | 6:30pm
🎶 Frisky Beaver | Jeff Dawty | 6pm
🎶 Inasphere | Ron Robertson | 2pm
🎶 Dover Legion | Shoeshine Boys | 2pm
🎶 Nonnie’s | Jamie & Jon | 2pm
🎶 Bayfest | Felicia McMinn | 7pm

Monday September 1st

🎶 Dover Legion | Jesse Murphy | 2pm

Tuesday September 2nd

🎶Lounge 33 | Felicia McMinn | 7pm

Wednesday September 3rd

🎶 211 Main | Felicia McMinn | 8pm

WEATHER

Thursday High 22°C 🌡️ Low 11°C 🌧️ 
Friday High 19°C 🌡️ Low 9°C 🌤️
🌡️ View current weather HERE 
🚗 Check out local gas prices HERE

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