MyKingsville

It wouldn’t be #TourismWeek without a shout-out to our bakeries and coffee shops. Grab something sweet to-go at Momma Bear's Bakery. Like a Peanut Butter Buckeye Brownie, Rhubarb Custard Square, or Cherry Cheesecake. There’s no shortage of flavour at Kings Bakeshop! From macarons, cupcakes, cakes, and truffles the list goes on and on. Plus, get a classic Americano or iced latte to-go.... Miller's Bakery is our newest community member. They offer a variety of baked goods including breads, croissants, Danishes, cookies, tarts and more! Around here, you’ll never have to search hard to find a mid-day treat. More spots: Dutch Boys Chocolate, Red Lantern Coffee Co., Toasted Meringue #Bakery #Cake #Food #Baking #Pastry #Cakes #Dessert #Yummy #Bread #Delicious #Baker #Sweet #Cookies #CakeDecorating #BirthdayCake #Cupcakes #CakesofInstagram #Instacake #CoffeeRoaster #Coffee #SpecialtyCoffee #CoffeeTime #CoffeeShop #CoffeeBreak #YQG #KingsvilleOntario #MyKingsvilleMore

It’s #TourismWeek! One of the most popular activities for Canadian travellers is shopping for clothing, shoes and jewellery. Kingsville’s clothing stores and boutiques offer something for everyone. Enjoy stylish selections at Mary Kathryn Ladies' Shop. At My Cousin’s Closet and the Paisley Dreamer, browse unique and staple clothing items. Find Canadian-made sun dresses swimsuits, and jewelry. Nearby you can find timeless, versatile pieces from Pinstripes Ladies and Towne Empo...rium. Receive a safe and personal shopping experience. Virtual appointments and curbside pick-up are available. Plus, enjoy other popular activities like strolling around the town to observe its buildings and architecture, and sunbathing on a beach. Mary Kathryn Ladies' Shop My Cousin's Closet Paisley Dreamer Pinstripes Ladies Fashions Towne Emporium Cindys Home and Garden Windblown & Weathered Studio, Gallery, Shoppe Kingsville I.D.A Pharmacy #TourismCounts #Fashion #Style #Shop #Outfit #Sale #RetailTherapy #ShopYQG #YQG #DiscoverYQG #KingsvilleOntario #MyKingsville

It's #TakeoutTuesday! Perfect time for take-out. What's your favourite place to get a fresh local dish? Check out the Eat & Drink section on MyKingsville.ca to browse out town's restaurants, bakeries, breweries, and more. Looking to enjoy the outdoors? Explore what you’re able to do this week on the See & Do MyKingsville page. #TourismWeek #TourismCounts #localfood #eatdrinkdinekingsville #EDDK

Today marks one year since we (very carefully) moved the Kingsville Range Light from Kingsville's Historical Park Museum to its new home at Mettawas Park. COVID has slowed down restoration plans. Still, it's pretty amazing to watch our history on the move! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBB3S8PhA6k

When it is safe to travel, look to Kingsville as a unique and memorable destination. You won’t have to look further than The Grove Hotel Kingsville. Located in an 1854 building, this small boutique hotel is giant on personality. With 18 rooms, each as different as its guests, it offers a memorable visit each and every time. The Grove Hotel has been named as a winner of the 2021 Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best Small Hotels in Canada! The hotel ranked 3rd among the Top 10 hotels to receive this recognition. Plus, it’s the third consecutive year that The Grove Hotel has been recognized in such an amazing way. #boutiquehotel #hotel #travel #hotellife #instatravel #hospitality #hotelroom #relax #travelblogger #lifestyle #tourism #ygq #discoverygq #kingsvilleontario #mykingsville

12 Days of Christmas Prize Choices

You can take the girl out of Kingsville, but you can’t take Kingsville out of the girl. Born in 1991, Dr. Julia Mockler was born and raised in Kingsville. One of her earliest traditions began in 1992, when she attended the Fantasy of Lights at Lakeside Park with her family. Back then she was simply known as Julia. Some of her fondest memories are those walking through the Fantasy of Lights as a child. She describes the twinkling lights as magical especially when the snow ...Continue reading

Introducing Ed Roach and Rose Marie Roach from Sissy & Roche.

While the Fantasy of Lights Marketplace may have been cancelled, the Spirit of Giving is still going strong. https://mailchi.mp//do-not-despair-the-fantasy-of-lights-m #KingsvilleON #MyKingsville #KingsvilleOntario #DiscoverYQG #YQGMade #ShopLocal #KingsvilleStrong

Some people are drawn to the city, where knowledge, culture, and social opportunities are abundant. While others are country bound, where life is sometimes simpler and faces can be more familiar. Lori Duhig had a taste of both city life and country life. And both were good. But when Lori’s daughter was born she knew she would return to her roots in Cottam. It’s where her parents lived and where she has many fond memories of her youth. She liked the country setting and the fe...eling of community and togetherness. Lori has been on the Fantasy of Lights Committee since 2017. As a mother of children who adore family tradition, she feels compelled to keep traditions alive and well in the community. What makes the festival different than other winter festivals is that home-town feeling. Lori says that Kingsville does a fantastic job of pulling the community together, adding that the parade route is the perfect stretch of road for everyone to gather along. At the heart of the festival are the simple things. It’s when businesses give out hot chocolate to spectators, the look on children’s faces when they see Santa Claus, and the Spirit of Christmas. Lori daughters, Alexis (14) and Elin (10), eagerly await the festival every year. They too volunteer at the events alongside their mother. Lori says that it is important for them to be hands-on and volunteer in the community. They like to feel appreciated and to give back. She knows that as a parent she has done something right. City and county boundaries aside, Lori’s home is where her community, family, and friends are. But if home is where the heart is, then at Lori’s home, it’s all hands on deck. Fantasy of Lights is a long standing tradition that requires the commitment of many members of the community. In this way, the legacy can be enjoyed by future generations for many years to come. #MyKingsville #KingsvilleON #KingsvilleOntario #WindsorEssex #DiscoverON #DiscoverOntario #DiscoverCanada #DiscoverYQG

It’s no secret that this area is a natural stopover for migrating birds. Our region forms a peninsula into Lake Erie which almost funnels birds along their migratory route. The regions 100 miles of peninsula attracts more than just the birds. Empty nesters and retirees are also among those seeking the unique lifestyle that our area affords. Located at the same latitude as northern California and southern Italy, this too is a popular destination because of our people, climate,... and food. Around here we say Welcome to Canada’s Southernmost Town. Though sometimes when people feel the warm embrace of our climate and hospitality, they simply don’t want to let go. That was the case for Janet Willoughby. Janet lived in Ontario’s Snowbelt when she decided that it was time to find a new sanctuary to call home. She wanted to live somewhere warmer and near the water. She soon discovered that Kingsville is an essential stop for those in pursuit of those things. In 2014, Janet took a 4 hour drive from her home in Orangeville to visit Kingsville. It was a trip that she describes as worth-while. She was instantly attracted to the area and said to her daughter that she would live here in her retirement. Janet has always lived in municipalities and is not a stranger to small-town living. She liked that Kingsville had a small town feeling with the amenities of a city. By 2017, Janet was no longer a visitor that only dreamed of living here. She now owns a beautiful home on one of Kingsville’s tree-lined streets. The colour of her front door is canary yellow; much like her sunny disposition and the town that she calls home. But one could say that home is more than four walls. Once Janet planted new roots here she began to build a community of people around her. She joined community groups, like Communities in Bloom, The Horticultural Society, and Fantasy of Lights Festival. She volunteers because it has the power to improve the community. As time goes on she is able to meet more people. And the more she volunteers, the more people she meets. Janet has been on the Fantasy of Lights Committee for 2 years. She simply cannot choose one best thing about the festival. She loves the Santa Claus Parade and the Light Displays and everything in between. She adds that at the heart of the festival are the people. For sure this town is an easy place to stopover. Some stay for a short while, while others stay for a life time. Janet may have come to the area because of its beauty and warmth, but she stayed because of its community and sense of belonging. Just as the Fantasy of Lights dazzles people with its beauty and warmth, its real virtue is that it is deeply rooted in community and tradition. #MyKingsville

There is a lot that a municipality or city can do with a big budget, especially around the time of Christmas. But one thing that money cannot buy is the kind of dedication, ingenuity, and spirit that one of our community leaders has constantly displayed year after year without fail. 28 years ago, a few community members got together to conceptualize a new tradition. Our Mayor spoke with a Councillor, who in turn spoke with a drafting teacher, who then spoke with a shop clas...s teacher to spark an idea that has manifested into a true tradition in our little town. Doug Doey has been at the forefront of the Kingsville Fantasy of Lights Festival. He was the shop teacher at Kingsville District High School for the past 32 years. As a machine shop and welding teacher, he was able to help turn a concept into a tradition that all of us enjoy to this day. By making an overhead projection out of kids' coloring pages, students were able to design light displays. The method was simple and genius, as the students were then able to trace the outline and bend rods to a variety of different shapes and sizes. Now just imagine this; in order to create the 90 snowflakes that adorn the light poles in town, it required over 5 miles of 3/8 diameter rod! The tradition has grown from 6 light displays in the first year to 150 light displays today. Mr. Doey’s students also built the Thomas the Tank Engine in the welding shop. The locomotive has provided a unique way for passengers to view the light displays at Lakeside Park. While Mr. Doey retired this past January, he continues to provide support on the Fantasy of Lights Committee. He says that the best part of the festival is community commitment. He says that the displays are hand-made with pride by students; it enhances their skills and reinforces their dedication to the community. In conclusion, Mr. Doey says that at the heart of the festival are children of all ages from 1 to 92. While a multi-million-dollar budget can buy the biggest and brightest lights, it can’t buy the dedication, ingenuity, and spirit behind the Kingsville Fantasy of Lights Festival. #MyKingsville #MyFantasyofLights

Correction: The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit only approved the drive through portion of the Drive-Through Santa Claus Parade.

Tony Gaffan is a hard man to miss; chances are you have used his services as a Councillor, or perhaps from his barber chair at Gaffans Apex Barber Shop. Tony is certainly a high-profile individual in town. Councillor Tony Gaffan is a big supporter of this event and chairing its committee has been a top priority for him over the past 6 years. The reward, he says, is to encourage and work with like-minded individuals to create joyful seasonal memories. The festival is an opport...unity for him to celebrate and serve alongside the community; adding that at the heart of it is the passion and support of community members. In his eyes, the stars of the show are the Santa Claus Parade and Opening Ceremonies. Tony’s best memories are watching the parade and fireworks with his kids year after year, noting that the festival has a way of drawing people together. Tony is thankful for the council who had the vision to create an event that has continued to grow and evolve over the years. He is grateful for the committed volunteers and sponsors, including the partnership with TechZone at KDHS. #MyKingsville #MyFantasyofLights

Ernie's TV Furniture & Appliance has been a sponsor of Kingsville's Fantasy of Lights since the very beginning. Owner Ernie Demarse is a big fan of this event, and sponsoring it is important in order to see it move forward and onward. In particular, Ernie loves the Santa Claus Parade, which he believes has just the right mix of local and professionally made floats to call it our own. This is truly symbolic of the organization and precision that only the Windsor Parade Corpora...tion can provide. Ernie's best memories are when employees would come out with their families year after year; in this manner, he has been able to watch them grow and to witness this special tradition every year. Ernie says that at the heart of the festival is Mayoral and Council leadership, service clubs and the private sector, Kingsville District High School, and the town workers. He gives special thanks to all those who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes, stating that their contributions are invaluable and appreciated. He says, quite simply, that this is indeed good for the Town of Kingsville. #MyKingsville #MyFantasyofLights

Kingsville’s Fantasy of Lights has all the comforts of home. Whether Kingsville is your home year-round, or home-away-from-home, there is no denying that this is a special place. To think, even the geese return every year! It is at the annual Kingsville Fantasy of Lights that you will find all the comforts of home; it warms people’s hearts and lights up their faces. While the Festival may look a little different this year, the faces remain the same Parents, grandparents, chi...ldren, couples, business owners, councilors, and even pets can be spotted throughout the town, enjoying everything that the festival has to offer. This year we want to showcase YOU, and the people at the heart of the Festival. Do you know someone (cuddly pups included) who love Kingsville’s Fantasy of Lights? Send us a DM to be featured on MyKingsville. Pictured above: 3-Year old Nathaniel watching the Santa Claus Parade in 2017. #MyKingsville #MyFantasyofLights

The Kingsville Fantasy of Lights Festival looks a little different this year. Join us for the Light Up the Night Tour 2020. Visit the below locations througho...ut the Town to view the Light Displays beginning November 21, 2020. Do you want your home to be listed on the Light Up the Night Tour? Call the Parks and Recreation Office at (519) 733-2123 to register. Deadline is December 1, 2020. - Grovedale Arts & Cultural Centre, 103 Park St. - Lakeside Park - Upper Bowl, 315 Queen St. - Carnegie Arts and Visitor Centre, 28 Division St. S. - Kingsville OPP, 41 Division St. S. - Kingsville District High School, 170 Main St. E. - Kingsville Town Hall, 2021 Division Rd. N. - Kingsville Arena Complex, 1741 Jasperson - Essex County Library - Ruthven Branch, 1695 Elgin St. - Cottam Rotary Park, County Road 34

Have you heard? The month of November is Kingsville Burger Month. Proceeds of every burger sold go to Grow On Windsor. Here's what you need to know: 1. Eat a feature burger at participating local restaurants 2. Raise funds for men's cancer awareness... 3. Take a picture of your feature burger using #eddkburgermonth for a chance to win weekly prizes & more! Come grab a delicious, local burger for a chance to win the ultimate prize: a 1-Night Stay at the Grove Hotel, 1-Night at Distinctive Inns of Kingsville, and $200 EDDK Gift Certificates.

Our volunteer team can be spotted at Carnegie Arts & Visitor Centre, Toasted Meringue Bakery, the Jack Miner Statue and Unico Community Centre! We are handing out passports, Breakfast Kits and smiles for the 51st Migration Festival. Come on down!