Hello Norfolk!

🚨 NORFOLK IS BUZZING 🚨

This week’s Insider is packed tighter than a Turkey Point parking lot on a long weekend.

🎉 And guess what? We just passed 6,000 weekly readers! That’s a whole lot of locals in the know—thanks for being part of it. 💛

🎓 Did you know the man who basically invented Ontario’s school system was born in Walsh? We’re diving into Norfolk’s own Egerton Ryerson—and why our rural roots run deep.

🎶 From glow paddles and dog yoga to live jazz, sandcastle showdowns, and a Queen tribute concert, there’s no shortage of things to do.

Ready to make some memories?

Let’s go, Norfolk
-Brad
👇️ 

Ps. If you have events you want included in upcoming weeks submit them HERE.
If you have stories you want told, people you want recognized, want to partner with me or just chat, reach me HERE.

NORFOLK NOTABLES

📚 Norfolk's Own: Egerton Ryerson – The Guy Who Invented School (Sorta)

Before there were school bells, blackboards, or report cards in Ontario… there was Egerton Ryerson—and guess what?
He was born right here in Norfolk County, in what we now call Walsh (then known as Charlotteville Township) in 1803.

Yep. The man who basically invented Ontario’s public school system? Total Walsh guy.

🧠 What Did He Do?

Ryerson believed education shouldn't just be for the rich. As Ontario’s first Chief Superintendent of Education, he:

• 📘 Created the first public school system

• 🍎 Introduced teacher training

• 📚 Standardized textbooks (so every kid had a fair shot)

His goal? Schools that lifted up every child, no matter their background—something that started with his rural roots right here in Norfolk.

⚖️ The Complicated Part

History isn’t always clean-cut. Ryerson’s ideas later influenced aspects of the residential school system—though he didn’t create it, and it was developed after his time. It’s important to look at the full picture.

🏫 His Legacy Lives On

Love school or hate it—Ryerson helped shape it. And he did it with Norfolk soil under his boots.

Next time you're near Walsh, just remember:
The blueprint for public education in Ontario started in your backyard.

DRINK RESULT

🍓 Norfolk’s Official Drink Has a Name!

After weeks of voting, taste-testing (in our minds), and lively debate… the results are in!

Meet the Norfolk County Cooler — our county’s official drink, created by you:

🍹 A refreshing mixed drink (your choice of alcohol - or try it without!)
🍓 Bursting with strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry juice
🍬 Finished with a sugar rim and infused with local berries

Perfect for patios, parties, and post-beach lounging.
Sip it with pride—this one’s pure Norfolk.

Stay tuned - maybe we’ll petition Norfolk County Council to recognize it as Norfolk’s official drink - or perhaps we’ll convince a local establishment to put it on the menu! More to come!

HAPPENINGS

Want a Featured Event with a poster or video? Reach out. 
Want to add an event? Use this link.

Thursday August 7th

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

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

Friday August 8th

🛶 Sunset Glow Paddles | Newfie Nautical Tours | 8pm - 10:30pm | Paddle under the stars | Glowing boards | Tickets

🧢 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Jersey Giveaway | Boston Pizza | 7pm | Watch the game and have a chance to win | More

🎺 Jubilee Brass Band in Concert | Riverfront Park Port Dover | 7pm | Admission by donation | Bring your own chair | More

🎤 Crappy Karaoke | Frisky Beaver | 6pm - 9pm | Bring a friend and your voice | More

🪘Sacred Sound Drum Circle | Waterford | 7pm | Ceremonial drum circle on the evening of the Full Sturgeon Moon | More

🐶 Puppy Yoga | Hounds of Erie Winery | 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Yoga session, drinks, puppy love | Call Hounds of Erie for details | Tickets

🍼 Norfolk Mom’s Wellness Collective | Kingfisher Cafe | 6:30pm | Special guest speakers | Celebrating 1 year | More

Saturday August 9th

🎣 Kids, Cops, Canadian Tire Fishing Derby | Deer Creek Conservation Area | 8am - 12pm | $5 per child | Fish and win prizes | More

🪴Garden Walk | Whistling Gardens | 4:00pm | Garden and concert tour | Fountain show included with ticket | Tickets

🐕️ Humane Society Pop-up BBQ | 24 Grigg Drive Simcoe | 11am - 2pm | Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken burgers, drinks |

🐔 Chicken BBQ | Teeterville Legion | 5pm - 7pm | Music, friends and fun

🕺Saturday Night Dance | Turkey Point Pavilion | 9pm - 1am | Sounds through the 60’s and 80’s | Music by Wrif Wraf | More

🐕️ Terrier Dog Meetup | Hounds of Erie Winery | 12pm - 2pm | Bring your dog and enjoy some wine | Tickets

🐝North Shore Honey Concert | Birds Canada Port Rowan | 7pm - 9pm | More

Sunday August 10th

⚽️ Farms of Norfolk Football Tournament | 660 West St. Simcoe | 9am | Free admission | Kids activities | Food Trucks | More

🤼 Norfolk Championship Wrestling | Simcoe Legion | 1pm doors open | Watch the heavyweights battle it out for the belt! | More

🥓Breakfast in the Park | Turkey Point Pavilion | 9am - 11:30am | Adults $15, Kids $7 | Mimosa and Caesar bar | More

🏰Sandcastle Sculpting Contest | Turkey Point Pavilion | 10:30am | Come and build! | More

🪄 Lucas Wilson - Illusionist | Turkey Point Pavilion | 2pm | Come experience the magic | More

🎺 South Coast Jazz Festival | Schofield’s Bistro | 5pm - 7pm | Don’t miss the live jazz! | More

Monday August 11th

🛶 Free Summer Social Paddles | Newfie Nautical Tours | 6pm - 7pm | Where paddling meets community | More

🎱 Bingo | Simcoe Legion | 5pm - 9pm | $1000 jackpot | Over $3500 in prizes | More

🐕‍🦺 Humane Society Reading Buddy Program | 24 Grigg Drive Simcoe | 12pm | Read to our furry friends | Bring your own books | More

🔠 Walking Scrabble | Simcoe Library | 1pm - 3pm | Exercise for body and mind

🚗 Show and Shine | Silver Lake Park | 4pm -Dusk | Classic cars, music, bikes, food |

Tuesday August 12th

🏊️ Hammerheads Try-it Days | Annaleise Carr Aquatic Centre | 4pm | Kids can meet the team and see if they’re ready to be a Hammerhead | More

🦚 Peacock-Themed Dot-Painting Workshop | Blue Elephant | 6pm - 8pm | Creativity and relaxation | Create your own rock | Tickets

Wednesday August 13th

👑 Queen Tribute Concert | The Aud - Norfolk Fairgrounds | 7:30pm | Don’t miss this tribute concert by Queen’s Court | Tickets

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday August 7th

🎶 Boston Pizza | Jay Davis | 7:30pm

Friday August 8th

🎶Dover Links | C. Chambers | 4pm
🎶Schofields | Jamie & Jon | 5pm
🎶David’s | Carib Kyle | 6pm
🎶211 Main | Shane Pinchen | 8pm
🎶Turkey Point Pavilion | Pure Vintage | 7pm

Saturday August 9th

🎶 Teeterville Legion | Maisie Haze | 5pm
🎶 Legion | Spilly & Marns | 3pm
🎶 211 Main | Adam Ostrosser | 7pm
🎶 Barnyard Patio | James Wilson and HI-FI Lowrider | 7pm

Sunday August 10th

🎶 Powell Park | Shaamaa | 6:30pm
🎶 Frisky Beaver | Mary Simon | 1pm
🎶 Dover Legion | The Healers | 2pm
🎶 Nonnie’s | Sharp Dogs | 2pm
🎶 Inasphere | Easy as Pi | 2pm

Monday August 11th

Tuesday August 12th

🎶 Lounge 33 | Felicia McMinn | 7pm

Wednesday August 13th

🎶 Homegrown Hideaway | Jesse Murphy | 7pm | Tickets
🎶 The Aud | Queen’s Court | 7:30pm | Tickets
🎶 211 Main | Felicia McMinn | 8pm

WEATHER

Thursday High 28°C 🌡️ Low 21°C 🌤️
Friday High 28°C 🌡️ Low 22°C 🌤️
🌡️ View current weather HERE 
🚗 Check out local gas prices HERE

Like what you see?
Don’t Like what you see?
Just want to say hi?
Reach out to me HERE