As the summer wraps up and my time as a Tourism Sarnia-Lambton summer student comes to an end, I wanted to reflect on my time spent here and highlight some of my favourite moments from throughout this summer, as well as my favourite locations throughout the county.
LOCAL WYOMING:
As a self-proclaimed foodie and someone who has lived in Lambton-County my whole life, discovering Local within the heart of Wyoming was definitely a standout moment of my summer. This quaint but delicious restaurant has reopened under new ownership in January of 2025, providing the community with seasonally crafted, farm fresh meals. Local prides themselves on sourcing as local as they possibly can. Whether it be their meat, microgreens, or wine, you can be confident that your product has come from the most local farmers, producers, and makers.
Local offers a sophisticated, and seasonally inspired menu that continues to evolve throughout the year, showcasing the freshest and in-season produce while simultaneously introducing new dishes that keep guests coming back!
During my visit I ordered a tipsy chicken sandwich which is “one large chicken cutlet on a Bricoche bun with parmesan crisp, vodka sauce, mozzarella, baby arugula, and black garlic aioli” and I paired it with a side of garlic parm fries and a “Gotta Drive” mocktail. This sandwich was out of this world delicious, the fries were mouth-watering, and the drink was refreshing, thirst-quenching and overall spectacular.
I would return to Local in a heartbeat and definitely rank it among the best restaurants Lambton County has to offer.
IPPERWASH:
Ever since I was a kid, the beach has been my ideal place to spend the perfect summer day! Thankfully, I live in Lambton County which is home to over 300km of shoreline and a variety of different beautiful public beaches – but Ipperwash will always be my favourite.
Just off of West Ipperwash Road and Army Camp Road lies the stunning Ipperwash Beach, one of the longest freshwater beaches in the region. With 3 main access points, a dog-friendly space, soft sandy shores and shallow waters, Ipperwash offers fun for the whole family. Whether you’re laying on the shore and soaking up the sun, playing frisbee or beach volleyball, or simply floating in the water, Ipperwash is the perfect spot to enjoy your beach day.
Why travel for a tropical vacation, when you live in Lambton County and have these beautiful beaches right at your fingertips!
ART IN THE PARK:
Throughout the summer Lambton County hosts many great events including Poutine Feast in May, the Alvinston Pro Rodeo in June, Black Gold Fest in July, and Beats on the Streets in August. There are so many that I would love to highlight but I will rank my favourite as Art in the Park in Petrolia. This summer the event took place the weekend of July 11 within Victoria Park. I cherish this event every year because not only does it give so many local artists and creators the chance to share their work with others, but it also brings the community together. People of all ages come through the park, interacting with and supporting local artists and I find that to be a beautiful thing. This year I purchased a lake huron inspired shoreline mug from a local artist. This mug will help me remember the beauty of Lambton-County’s beaches no matter the time of year, or the location I am in!
LOCAL ARTISTS/BUSINESS OWNERS:
Throughout the summer, my favourite overall experience was getting to meet all the different local business owners, staff, artists, and creators throughout our county. It was so engaging to talk to them about what they do, or the business they have started, and hear the passion they hold for their craft. It is so important to support local, and living in an area with so much talent makes that easy! Below are A FEW of the many local businesses:
Alfredo’s Pasta Boutique:
Downtown Market:
Tin Fiddler:
Sweet Tree Cafe:
Forest Glen Herb Farm:
Thunderbird Crafts and Trading Post
Sunset Arts Gallery: featuring over 20 different local artists!
Whether it be discovering new locations that have popped up around the county or rediscovering gems that have been here my whole life, Lambton-County is the perfect summer destination!