Stirling Ontario Visited

Stirling Ontario Visited

by Gary McWilliams (aka Festival Nomad)

Old Time Charm

The following is an excerpt from the Township of Stirling-Rawdon website – “The Township of Stirling-Rawdon is a unique destination rich in old time charm!

This newly transformed village is characterized by its rich cultural venues, alluring atmosphere, and is uniquely positioned to provide visitors with the means to escape and create lasting memories. Located just 20 minutes north of the 401 at Belleville, about halfway between Toronto and Montreal, this community of 2,000 urban residents offers a lifestyle unique to Ontario.

A welcome awaits you in the village with specialty shops and boutiques, relaxing cafes and restaurants, and thrilling events at the covered bridge, a focal point within the center of the village that provides a welcome place for visitors.”

“The following description of Stirling is based on our visits to the community.“

On a warm Saturday afternoon we were looking for an interesting spot to picnic.

We found it in Village of Stirling. The Village is located in the Township of Stirling-Rawdon, north of Belleville.

In a rural heritage setting, the Village has natural beauty and its own unique vintage feeling.

Our picnic was picture perfect! We sat in Stirling’s quaint park that runs down the centre of the Village, Rawdon Creek.

Stirling also has Marsh Creek running to the west, the Trent River with access to the Trent Canal in the southwest side.

There also is the River Valley and Stirling’s nearby lake Oak Lake which lies south of the Village. Most notable when visiting Stirling a few main attractions.

The Stirling Festival Theatre was built in 1927 and today is by a thriving professional theatre company.

After our picnic we drove by the Stirling Heritage Railway Station.

It was originally part of the Grand Trunk Railway where Stirling CN Railway Station provided a lifeline up until 1968. You can tour the station today and enjoy all the history it has to offer.

We have enjoyed the Stirling Truck Show also which is an amazing spectacle of shinny chrome and glistening colours of paint. The truck show is located on the ground by what is now called Hastings County Museum of Agricultural Heritage. This museum was opened in 1997 and with the many volunteers is able to provide you entertainment while visiting over six buildings and 28,000 square feet of historical exhibits.

We would be remiss not to mention the long list of stars of the NHL where Stirling has associated with the likes of players Rob Ray, Matt Cooke and Eric Manlow.