Oh, the lights how they twinkle!
Expanded this year, Rural Lights, Winter Nights is a self-guided tour of over 20 dazzling light displays at 14 unique locations in Clearview Township.
Bundle up with your immediate household and be mesmerized by large 3D light displays at local parks and community halls in every hamlet and village in Clearview Township. With open spaces and lots of free parking, Clearview Township welcomes area residents to discover new rural routes to find the light-up stars, snowflakes and deer.
Download the Rural Lights MAP
Get inspired with local itineraries for families, date night or nature lovers. Plan to visit them all this holiday season with your immediate household. *Continue to follow Public Health Advice from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit*
An enchanting night of fun for the whole family. Purchase local snacks for the car-ride such as popcorn, roasted nuts or ice cream at Jamie's on Main or bundle up and treat yourselves to hot chocolate from any of the cafés or Tim Hortons in Clearview.
Your self-guided tour starts at the Fountain Park in Stayner. Make a wish upon a star, actually, two stars! This beautiful quaint park is right next to the Made Brave Studio and across the street from Torn Pages.
Either walk or drive down to Stayner Station Park. The large snowflakes are awe-inspiring for people of all ages. Perfect for photos.
Once you are warm and back in your car, travel to the Sunnidale Corners Hall and look for the light-up deer and then head south on County Rd. 10 to the Brentwood Community Centre to see the snowflake.
Drive to New Lowell Recreation Park on County Rd. 9. If the temperatures are right, then the Outdoor Skating Rink will be ready for hours of fun skating outside.
Order ahead to pick up pizza after your family night at one of four pizza restaurants in Clearview - Original Life’s A Slice Pizzeria in New Lowell, Pizza Perfect Diner or Creemore Pizza Co. in Creemore or Wheelhouse Pizza in Stayner.
Snap a selfie and tag #discoveringclearivew #RuralLights #familyfun on social media.
Shop Local Suggestions –
Linke’s Local Arts & Supplies, Leishman Pottery, The Creemore Newsstand and Creemore House of Stitches have lots of local art, art supplies and knitting and quilting materials. For the booklover, think local at Curiosity House Books & Gallery or Torn Pages. Toboggans, board games and other ideas for family fun can be easily found at the Home Hardware in Stayner or Creemore and the cutest stocking stuffers can be purchased at Pharmasave in Stayner of the Creemore Village Pharmacy.With 14 unique locations in Clearview Township and lots of cozy restaurants and cafés, there is ample time and places to reconnect with loved ones during Rural Lights and of course, under starry nights.
Date night is great anytime and with over 20 restaurants in Clearview Township, there is a place open every night. Plan ahead and make reservations or light some candles at home and place an order to pick up on the way.
Starting your night at the Nottawa Memorial Community Centre, the beautiful snowflake is the right place to start your romantic, dreamy night.
The second stop is just north on County Rd. 124 and visit The Duntroon Hall, this time steal a kiss beneath the dark, starry night.
Travel into Stayner and take a romantic stroll in Centennial Park and then to Station Park and Fountain Park. Warm up with a hot chocolate at Coffee Culture or a pint at Friends Pub.
The Avening Community Centre is for lovers of old halls and live music and the brightly lit deer will remind you of the lighter side of life. Look into your partner’s eyes and exclaim “I’m so very fawn’d of you my deer!”. #animalpuns are better in real life.
Take the back way into Creemore and pass by Mad River Park and Station on the Green. Every snowflake is different, and every snowflake is perfect. Hand in hand, stroll through the village of Creemore.
Snap a selfie and tag #discoveringclearivew #RuralLights #datenight on social media.
Shop Local Suggestions –
Gift certificates to your favourite restaurants or cafés are a great way to celebrate special occasions. Unique household gifts, and vintage treasures can be found in Creemore at Miller Island, Creemore Apothocary or Lagoom172, in Stayner at The Cheesy Corner or in Duntroon at White Hill Home. Clear Valley Hops, Arizona Blues, and Billy Hill Pine & Home are just a few more unique retailers in Clearview Township. If your heart belongs to a fashionista, think Joy Boutique or Barb’s Clothes Closet. For something very special, consider custom and quality jewellery from Andre Jewellers in Stayner.Your day starts just before dusk with a nature walk through the Clearview EcoPark, with 3km of trails and bird viewing areas. Black-capped chickadees, northern cardinals and snowy owls are just a few of the feathered friends that stay in Clearview. Bring your binoculars!
Drive yourself on the self-guided route into Stayner and stop to see the bright lights of the 2 deer in Centennial Park at the new Kinsmen Pavilion. Walk through Centennial Park to read interpretive signs around the banks of Lamont Creek. Did you know that the Clearview-Collingwood Rail Trail is 14 km long?
Next stop, The Duntroon Hall and to historic Islay Park. Travel west on County Rd. 91 until you get the Clearview-Grey Highlands Townline and turn left. As you drive along, note the Niagara Escarpment recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere and look at those spectacular views of Georgian Bay. Be sure to come back during daylight and hike or snowshoe the Bruce Trail.
While in Singhampton, the star light at the Singhampton Fire Hall is just past the Mad River. Continue south on County 124 until you are turning left at County Rd. 9 into Creemore.
As you wind your way through the scenic road of County Rd. 9, you’ll pass the Noisy River Provincial Park and Dunedin Nature Reserve onwards to the village of Dunedin. Stop and enjoy the light display at the Dunedin Village Hall, on the banks of the Noisy River.
Finish your nature-lovers night in Creemore! The Rural Lights are set up at Station on the Green. Do you know the story of ‘That Mad River’? It’s rather funny and you can read all about it at the historic sign at Mad River Park, plus enjoy the three large snowflake displays. Enjoy a locally inspired meal at a restaurant, order take-out, pick up pizza or just have a pint of Creemore Springs beer at one of the pubs.
Snap a selfie and tag #discoveringclearivew #RuralLights #naturelovers on social media.
Shop Local Suggestions –
Nature lovers unite at the Keep Refillery, Creemore Apothecary and Heirloom 142. Local honey, jams and preserves are available to purchase The Bank Café and the 100 Mile Store. In Stayner, Jamie's on Main is home to over 20 local products including candles and tea and The Cheesy Corner has the largest selection of Canadian and Imported cheeses. A&D Bird Seed, Fernwood Farms and Duntroon Cyder House are open to the public during the winter season.