Things To Do in Elora and Fergus
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Elora and Fergus Attractions
The Elora Gorge is a 140-hectare (346-acre) park on both sides of the 20m (66-ft.) limestone gorge. Nature trails wind through it. Overhanging rock ledges, small caves, a waterfall, and the evergreen forest on its rim are some of the gorge’s scenic delights. The park (tel. 519/846-9742) has camping and swimming facilities, plus picnic areas and playing fields. It’s a favorite with rock climbers. Located just west of Elora at the junction of the Grand and Irvine rivers, it is open from May 1 to October 15 from dawn to dusk. For information, contact the Grand River Conservation Authority (www.grandriver.ca; tel. 866/900-4722 or 519/621-2761).
Fergus may be small, but it has more than 250 well-preserved 1850s buildings to see—examples of Scottish limestone architecture—including the foundry, which now houses the Fergus market.
The most noteworthy Fergus event is the Fergus Scottish Festival, which includes Highland Games, featuring pipe band competitions, caber tossing, tug-of-war contests, Highland dancing, and the North American Scottish Heavy Events. The festival is held usually on the second weekend in August. For more information on the games, contact the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games (www.fergusscottishfestival.com; tel. 866/871-9442 or 519/787-0099).
Elora and Fergus Shopping
The shopping around here is far from fabulous, but if you’re hankering for a wee browse, there are a handful of shops worth popping into.
- Antiques: For nostalgia, vinyl, and collectibles, Iron Bucket Antiques (380 St. Andrew St. W., Fergus; www.ironbucketantiques.com; tel. 519/787-8287) is the best one-stop shop in this neck of the woods. Don’t be intimidated by knowledgeable collector Ron Dodge’s dry wit; he’s game for a good back-and-forth banter ’n’ barter.
- Books: Cozy used bookshop Twice Loved Books (62 Metcalfe St., Elora; www.twicelovedbooks.ca; tel. 226/369-0189) is jam-packed with more than 20,000 titles. To help browsers cull their choices, notes are scattered about the shelves effusing praise for particularly great novels, picture books, and poetry collections.
- Gourmet: Run by the Bzikot family, the Best Baa Dairy (820 Gartshore St., Fergus; www.bestbaa.com; tel. 519/787-0707) is a small operation that sources sheep’s milk from 10 Amish farms that raise happy sheep, free to roam the countryside and graze where they please. Their product line includes cheeses, yogurts, and milk. Everything on offer is delectably creamy.
- Unique Gifts: Sarah Barber has coined the term “chateau chic” to describe the wares she sells at Honeychurch Lane (65 Metcalfe St., Elora; www.honeychurchlane.com; tel. 226/384-4058). Pinterest-inspired decorators come here for velvet upholstery and crystal-decked chandeliers, but between the larger items, there’s also Dash & Albert rugs, vintage glass and silverware, as well as sparking jewelry to be found.
- Home Decor: You’ve heard about statement jewelry, maybe a statement watch, but how about a statement clock to add zip (and punctuality) to a wall? Chanticleer (In the Elora Mews, 45 Mill St. W., Elora; www.chanticleershop.ca; tel. 519/846-8796) is a whimsical shop that carries quirky art, attention-grabbing clocks, as well as tchotchkes—the collection of decorative roosters is particularly impressive.
