From heritage restorations to tourism experiences, Marine Heritage Society Chair Eric Tolton shared an update with Saugeen Shores Council that volunteers are ready to welcome visitors to the area for another busy summer season.
Collectively, the Society’s tours, festival, market, and restoration projects engage thousands of visitors annually while helping preserve some of the community’s most iconic marine heritage structures.
Restorations: Since the 1990s, MHS volunteers have helped lead stewardship efforts involving the Chantry Island Keeper’s Home, the General Hunter ship excavation and replica project, Southampton’s Front and Rear Range Lights, maintenance at The Boathouse, replica storm baskets, and, most recently, the rejuvenation of the historic Kayoshk boat in partnership with, and now on display at, the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre.
The MHS has also been researching future repairs involving the Imperial Tower, and Tolton felt the strong track record of collaboration between the Marine Heritage Society and the Town should provide a solid foundation for any future discussions with federal partners.
Chantry Island Tours: Tolton reported a strong start to the 2026 Chantry Island Tour season. The Keeper’s Home and gardens were prepared, volunteers completed their training, and online bookings exceeded 100 tickets during the first week of sales. The tours provide visitors with a guided experience to one of Ontario’s most distinctive lighthouse sites and bird sanctuaries.
Marine Heritage Festival: Making an appearance was Marine Heritage Festival character Captain Wayne Sparrow (aka Kaufman), who said, “Ar-r-r-r-r. You may know about the Cardboard Boat Races, Kids’ Bike Rally, and Children’s Gold Hunt — but last year we experimented with cultural and artistic events that were a big hit. This year marks the 15th Anniversary Marine Heritage Festival, and we’re providing thirty activities for learning and fun here in Saugeen Shores.”
This festival is for family and friends to celebrate summer together in Saugeen Shores and runs July 24 to 26.
Last year’s Festival attracted more than 7,000 combined attendees and organizers expect this year’s milestone anniversary might be the largest yet.
The activities also include Fun in the Park games, face painting, caricature sketches, and a display of the 92,000-brick LEGO Chi-Cheemaun. There is also a comedy magic show, an acrobatic performance, a sail-past, plus a NEW lifeguard rescue demonstration.
For the curious, there will be the Tall Ship Playfair to explore in Southampton Harbour, including a NEW opportunity to join two-hour sailings on Lake Huron. There is also a NEW multimedia lecture about the history of ferry boats that shaped coastal communities. Visitors can also chat with “Characters” from Southampton’s past on the Time-Trek Adventure, visit the historic Saugeen River Range Lights and Chantry Island Lighthouse, take part in a NEW Jane’s Walk of historic sites along Southampton Harbour, plus enjoy free exhibits at the BCM&CC.
Food options include the popular Southampton Rotary Pancake Breakfast, the Saugeen Shores Rotary Corn Roast BBQ, and the Southampton Firefighters Fish Fry.
And this year’s live local music lineup includes David Archibald, Margaret Wysman, Nuclear Vibes, the band Get Back, and dancing to The Sofa Kings at the Sunset Beach Party.
Captain Sparrow said the Festival’s success is thanks to community groups, cultural organizations, sponsors, the Town of Saugeen Shores, and nearly 200 volunteers drawn from the Marine Heritage Society and other local clubs. The Festival and Market also provide fundraising and profile-building opportunities for approximately sixteen community organizations.
Artisans & Tastes Market: Beyond the Festival, the Society’s summer programming continues with the weekly outdoor market each Friday from June 26th to August 28th beside the Southampton Coliseum.
“Welcoming visitors to the region includes the Friday Artisans & Tastes Market, which provides a sense of vitality and social connection,” said Market Co-Chair Deb Kaufman. “And it’s shaping up to be another exciting season that reflects the creativity, agriculture, food, and craftsmanship that make Bruce County special.”
The weekly gathering will feature more than 50 vendors and community nonprofit organizations and will connect to High Street, creating more opportunities for day-trippers and others to explore the downtown core and waterfront. Beyond its appeal, the Market generates funds that help support the MHS Chantry Island Tours and heritage site restorations.
Pioneer Park: In concluding the address to Council, Tolton flagged a lesser-known effort.
“This involves members of the Propeller Club, a volunteer working arm of the Marine Heritage Society that also helps care for Pioneer Park by maintaining lawns, gardens, hedges, and the general appearance of the space. This supports smaller waterfront activities — including weddings, painting classes, yoga sessions, garden tours — and many other gatherings that may not get so much attention but, nonetheless, contribute to quality of life in Saugeen Shores. And we’re proud of the team that helps enable the park to be another community hub.”
Together, the tours, festival, market, park and restoration projects reflect the Society’s ongoing mission to preserve local heritage while helping make Saugeen Shores a vibrant place to live, learn, work, and visit.
About the Marine Heritage Society: Founded in 1992, the nonprofit Marine Heritage Society is an all-volunteer-run organization dedicated to preserving marine history through restoration projects and public events.
Working in collaboration with the Town of Saugeen Shores and other local groups, the MHS is dedicated to enhancing the marine heritage shoreline and contributing to the local community
