Signs are signalling the end of summer in Southampton (Saugeen Shores).
On Friday, August 29th (2025), it was the last of the Marine Heritage Artisans and Tastes market that was held each Friday (when weather permitted) at the ‘Boathouse’.
The popular Market welcomed more than 60 vendors each Friday who offered hand-crafted items, home-grown foods … and more. Visiting numbers for 2025 are currently being tallied but, according to organizers, the market attracts a wide variety of both local residents and tourists/visitors, who impact the community’s economy each summer.
For larger view, click on image
For Marine Heritage, the end of summer also means that the tours to Chantry Island are coming to an end for another year. This year, 2025, saw the 30,000th visitor to Chantry Island since the tours began.
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Another lingering sign as Summer gets ready to close the door, is the plaintiff sound of a Scottish bagpipe beneath the giant flag that flies at the foot of High Street in Southampton on Lake Huron.
As a young high-school student, bagpiper Michael Smith began the tradition as ‘Sunset Piper’ in Southampton.
Today, the now college Professor of Nursing, carries on the tradition, standing at the Lake Huron shore adjacent to the special monument stone donated by the Seaman family, an historic legacy of Thead Seaman, a former Town Councillor, volunteer firefighter and founding member of Friends of the Flag who care for the flag.
Each Friday, the tradition has a local sponsor and, on August 29th of the long weekend and the unofficial end of summer, Elgin Lodge Retirement Home was on hand to distribute water to the many visitors.
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On Sunday, August 31st, it is the end of the Sunday Music Concert series with a final performance at Fairy Lake in Southampton by the ‘H&H Trio’ and at Port Elgin Main Beach featuring ‘Nuclear Vibes’.
Each begins at 7:00 p.m. and, at Port Elgin Main Beach, is followed by the traditional Fireworks display (weather permitting).
