Summer on Ontario’s Blue Coast

With 300 kilometres of beautiful shoreline, Sarnia-Lambton’s playground is hard to beat during the summer. Marketed as Ontario’s Blue Coast, the waterfront stretches from the iconic beach town of Grand Bend to the charming communities along the St. Clair River. 

Boardwalks, bicycle paths and beaches straddle much of the Sarnia-Lambton shorelines.

July and August are packed with events guaranteeing summer fun, and the sunsets on Lake Huron are renowned, offering a perfect way to close the day. “The way our coastline wraps around the bottom part of Lake Huron makes for spectacular sunset photos,” says Tourism Sarnia-Lambton’s marketing director Adam Veen.

There are a plethora of activities and events to choose from this season in the region. Veen says the Black Gold Fest in Oil Springs will be booming. This year’s festival on July 19 celebrates the 160th anniversary of North America’s first commercial oil well. The Oil Museum of Canada, a national historic site, is the location for the festivities, which include blacksmith demonstrations and horse-drawn wagon tours. “It’s perfect for families. There will be activities for kids, great food and live music,” Veen says.

Music festivals and other cultural events punctuate the summer season.

Craving more live music? The Juno Award-winning Sheepdogs and The Strumbellas are two of a dozen impressive acts performing at the Revelree Music Festival, set for July 18 and 19 in Sarnia’s Canatara Park. In August, the popular festival Fool Fest is returning with its live music, artists’ village and beer garden. The downtown Sarnia event on August 1 and 2 is organized by Refined Fool Brewing Company. 

Veen says Sarnia-Lambton offers many water activities for visitors. “We’ve got boat rentals, kayak rentals. If you’re more adventurous, there are wakeboarding lessons at the Sarnia waterfront.” For those who prefer to stay on land, the region is home to many golf courses. Veen notes Widder Station Golf, Grill & Tap House in Thedford has entertainment throughout the summer and offers overnight RV parking.

Everything you need to know about Ontario’s Blue Coast — from culinary destinations to cycling tours to arts — can be found online. Visitors can also contact the Sarnia-Lambton Tourism department for help to plan a vacation, staycation or day trip. •

For more information

Tourism Sarnia-Lambton
1455 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward
1-519-336-3232
ontbluecoast.com