Migration Festival

The Kingsville Migration Festival begins October 19, 2017 and ends October 22, 2017. There is something for all ages!

Join us for this celebration of migration, heritage, conservation and Jack Miner!

Jack Miner

Jack Miner was a hunter who knew the value of conservation of the natural environment and the wildlife. His efforts started the conservation movement and began the waterfowl refuge management system in Canada.

Jack was born in Westlake Ohio on April 10, 1865. Jack Miner settled on land in the former Township of Gosfield South, now the Town of Kingsville. The area is located in Essex County, surrounded on three sides by the Great Lakes and is a natural stop for many migratory birds. In 1909, Jack Miner began banding ducks, followed by Canada Geese in 1915, each with a bible verse. The bands allow the Sanctuary to gather details about migrating birds each season.

The Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary started in 1904 and continues its work to this day. Jack Miner's home and a museum dedicated to his work, as well as five kilometres of trails are open to the public free of charge.

Opening Ceremonies

The opening ceremonies will be at Merli's Coffee House and Eatery at 4 Main Street West in Kingsville. It will take place on October 19, 2017. You can enjoy a wine and cheese celebration and the Jack Miner drive through art gallery.

Wood Carving Show

Details for the wood carving show will be posted soon.

Festival Parade

The parade takes place on October 21, 2017. It begins at 10:30am and you can enjoy it from Main Street and Division Street South or one of the locations on the parade map.

If you would like to participate in the parade, please fill out a parade entry form or a band entry form and submit them to Maggie Durocher. You can call the Parks and Recreation office at 519-733-2123 or email Maggie Durocher if you have questions.

If you are participating in the parade please read the staging instructions.

Art and Photography Competitions

The Canada 150 Fine Photography competition and sale will take place at the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary. It is from 12:00pm until 4:00pm on October 21, 2017 and October 22, 2017.

You can stop by on October 21, 2017 and put in your vote for the People's Choice award.

You can enter four framed entries.

Registration is open for the competition; you can fill out an Art and Photography Competition application form to enter. All forms are due to the Kingsville Arena by October 7, 2017.

Thanks to our sponsors, we are able to provide cash prizes for the winners.

Thank-you to our 2016 sponsors

• The Figliomeni Group
• LaNassa Foods
• Tamara Stomp

Check back in 2018 for the Jack Miner and the Birds Fine Art Competition and Sale!

Marketplace

The Marketplace takes place at the Kingsville Arena October 21, 2017 and October 22, 2017. Come out from 11:00am until 4:00pm and enjoy local vendors. The Arena has lots of parking and is fully accessible. The Marketplace is free to get in.

If you would like to be a vendor, you can fill out a Vendor application form and bring it to the Kingsville Arena.

Children's Events

Come out and enjoy the children's activities during the Migration Festival!

The Migration parade begins at 10:30am on October 21, 2017. It is the perfect way to start your day at the festival!

At Lakeside Park from 12:00pm until 4:00pm there will be

• Games
• Face Painting
• The Fantasy Express Train
• Pony and Carriage Rides
• Pumpkin Bowling
• Pumpkin Races
• Tic Tac Toe
• Cotton Candy and Popcorn

The Kingsport Birds of Prey shows will be on October 21, 2017. From 12:00pm until 3:00pm, you can learn all about birds and their prey! Weather permitting you can see the birds fly.

The OPP Pumpkin Carving and Apple Bobbing will take place on October 21, 2017. From 11:00am until 2:00pm head down to the OPP station on Division Street South. Come for Carol the Clown, fun, snacks and prizes! Admission is free.

We are planning more events, please check back for a full list.

Other Events

Cole Porter's Anything Goes at Migration Hall October 20, 2017 until October 22, 2017.

Kingsville Lions Club Second Annual Kingsducky Derby. On Sunday October 22, 2017 join us at Mill Creek Lakeside Park at 2:00pm for a rubber duck race and best dressed decoy duck contest. The race is $5.00 to enter and the best-dressed decoy duck contest is $25.00 to enter. For more information, please visit their Facebook Page.

Have an event you would like to see here? Contact Maggie Durocher at 519-733-2123. Please include a

• Description
• Location
• Date
• Time

Sponsorship and Media

You can sponsor the 2017 Migration Festival by contacting Tara Brown at tara_brown_@hotmail.com.

For all media inquiries please contact Maggie Durocher at 519-733-2123 or by email.

We thank all of our volunteers and community supporters! Without you, this event would not be possible.

A special thank-you to our 2016 sponsors

• Merli's Coffeehouse and Eatery
• Jack Miner Bird Sanctuary
• The Town of Kingsville
• The Figliomeni Group
• LaNassa Foods
• Tamara Stomp

Local Links and Accommodations

Please visit our Business Directory for a full list of local links and accommodations.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact the committee member with your questions listed in the table below: