The Great Ontario Communities Series (Kingsville)

During the past 14 years Judi and I have visited over 200 Ontario community festivals and events. The majority have been planned and managed by dedicated community volunteers. As a salute to these wonderful communities and their hard-working residents, I will be writing a series of blogs entitled “Great Ontario Communities”. These blogs describe the communities we have visited and will tell you about some of the interesting things we have experienced and the people we have met. The ninth article is about Kingsville, "Canada's Southmost Downtown area".

KINGSVILLE - Kingsville's downtown is located as far south as one can travel in Southern Ontario.  Some years ago, Judi and I traveled to Kingsville via Essex.  We were on our way to visit the Kingsville Migration Festival.  Along the way we stopped in Essex to visit our friend Mary Kendrick.  Mary, as I have written before, is a wonderful floral artist.  From Mary’s we continued on to Kingsville and the Migration Festival.  It’s easy to understand why Kingsville holds a migration celebration each year.  Kingsville residents are enthusiastic supporters of their favorite son and conservationist Jack Miner and his ideas!  This is a pretty town located near Canada’s southern most boundary.  The shops, residential housing and parks all add to the ambience of Kingsville.  I think that the Migration Parade is probably the best indicator of the town and its people.  As Judi and I sat watching the parade, it seemed that if you weren’t in the parade, you were sitting on the side of the road cheering the people you know. The residents of Kingsville love their city and cherish its past.