55th Kingsville Migration Festival this weekend

The 55th Kingsville Migration Festival will take place this weekend, October 17-20 as the Town of Kingsville celebrates migration, heritage, conservation and the life of Jack Miner.

The Great Migration Paint Out will kick things off as the four-day en Plein air painting competition occurs throughout Kingsville from Thursday to Sunday. Cash prizes are up for grabs in three categories, with the en Plein air event, a two-hour quick paint competition and a children’s paint out event. 

The Great Migration Kick-Off will take place on Friday, October 18 from 6pm-9pm at the Grovedale Arts and Culture Centre with Jody Raffoul performing live. Cost is $15 plus HST with a cash bar.

On Saturday, October 19 at 10 am, downtown Kingsville will come alive with the annual Migration Parade. The parade will leave from the intersection of Wigle Ave, heading west on Main St. and then south on Division, ending at Mill Street.

Throughout Saturday, Lions Park will be bustling with activity, including Jangles the Clown, Kingsville Express Train Rides, Border City Barkers, Birds of Prey Show, Story Telling with Monica, Mad Science Demonstration, Pumpkin Carving and much more.

The Migration Marketplace will be held at the Grovedale from 10-4 on Saturday with free admission.

Bike Windsor-Essex will be on hand at the Carnegie Visitors Centre on Saturday with a Honkin’ Round the Town Bike Tour starting at 1 pm.

They will replicate that on Sunday, only this time departing from the Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary.

Speaking of Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary, they have a host of events planned to celebrate as well.

Running Saturday and Sunday, they will feature tours of historic buildings, nature-themed crafts, activities and scavenger hunts, Retriever Demos put on by the Essex Hunting Retriever Club, artist vendors market hosted by Arts Society of Kingsville (ASK), Birds of Prey shows delivered by The Canadian Raptor Conservancy, straw maze, Trout Pond, food trucks and local breweries. There will be live music on Saturday from 12pm to 10pm and the annual pancake breakfast and annual car show will both take place on Sunday.