Thunder Bay Tourism Newsletter

Volume: 1 Issue: 6

Big and Exciting News:

Fort William Historical Park is proud to announce that their new Amphitheatre is taking shape.  Those familiar with Fort William Historical Park will find something decidedly different taking shape at the entrance grounds to the tourism attraction.  Throughout the summer, the Fort’s amphitheatre has been abuzz with activity as construction crews have been conducting work on a variety of alterations.  Immediately apparent is a battery of flagpoles, stylish lighting fixtures and colourful Fort banners that now adorn the paved wheelchair-accessible paths winding through the amphitheatre.  Grounds are being levelled and landscaped, making for improved sight lines.  The eastern part of the amphitheatre also has a designed helicopter pad and space for six pond hockey rinks as well as space for almost 30 concession stations with requisite power, phone and water access.  Power support and space has been configured to accommodate world class entertainment.  Upon completion, these flourishes will culminate in the largest world-class multipurpose outdoor amphitheatre, virtually unrivalled in Canada with a capacity for over 50,000 spectators.  The amphitheatre underlines the multi-component capabilities of Fort William Historical Park, a tourism leader in Northwestern Ontario.

On October 8th the city of Thunder Bay would like to invite you and your family down to Marina Park between 1 and 8pm for the stop of the Canadian Pacific (CP) Spirit Train. The CP Spirit Train is a mobile ambassador moving the Olympic Spirit across Canada to celebrate the 2010 Winter Games.  Come down and enjoy interactive winter sport activities, explore exhibits in the CP Spirit Train Village, dance to live music performed by Local entertainers as well as Colin James, Interact with inspiring Canadian athletes, as well as get your picture taken with one of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Mascots.  For more information and event details visit http://www.cpspirittrain.com

Events

Gammondale Farms is proud to bring you the following events for the month of October:
Until October 31st they will be holding their 13th annual Pumpkin fest.  For family fun during the weekends until Halloween including tons of pumpkins, activities and great food between 11am and 5pm.  Admission is $7/person and under 2 are free.  Weekdays are available by reservations for school tours, seniors, birthdays and groups.
On October 17,18,24,25, and 26th they will be holding their 5th annual Haunted Cornfield.  Dare to be scared after dark for some family fun.  Daring souls must be 18 years of ago or must be accompanied by a brave adult 21 years or older.  Last person will be admitted at 9pm, with the event starting at 10pm.  Admission to the event is $12/peron.
On November 1st, return your pumpkin to the earth at their 1st annual Pumpkin Smashing Day.  Chuck your pumpkin with the catapult, crush them with the tractor tires or smash them with a hammer, as well as take part in some other farm activities!  Admission is $10/vehicle.
For more information on these or any other events such as Christmas at Gammondale Farm visit http://www.gammondalefarm.com. 

Until October 4th, Magnus Theatre welcomes you to the deliriously funny comedy, “Over the River and Through the Woods”.  The comedy has four Italian-American grandparents providing a stream of unsolicited advice on life and love, involving themselves in matchmaking and general meddling, while offering unending food to an attention-smothered grandson.  For more information on this play, more upcoming events and plays visit http://www.magnus.on.ca.  For tickets call the box office at (807) 345-5552.

Until October 5th, join local artists in the 12th annual Crossing Borders Studio Tour.  Enjoy the fall colours on Lake Superior, ten studios, 17 artists in their working studios.  View recent work, while enjoying great hospitality, and refreshments.  Visit http://www.crossingbordersstudiotour.com more information and a downloadable map or call (807) 624-0022 or (807) 475-9758.

Until October 5th, Joyce Seppala would like to invite you down to the Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota in Duluth to view her work.  Joyce is one of 17 texile artists chosen to be apart of a show honouring traditional and contemporary Finish and Sami inspired textiles.

The Valhalla Inn welcomes you to come out to their hotel every Friday evening to enjoy the sounds of some of Thunder Bay’s top Blues bands in their Nordic Lounge from 8pm-12am.  Here is their line-up for the month of October:  For more information visit http://www.valhallainn.com or call (807) 577-1121.
October 3 – Smedley B
October 10 – The Outsiders
October 17 – Tracy K & Her Right Hand Man
October 24 – John Booth & the Southside Band

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery will be holding the following exhibits for the month of October:  For more information visit http://www.theag.ca
The GEEEE! In Genome:  Until November 2nd. Explore the hot issues around DNA, genetically-modified foods, genetic testing, cloning and more.
Alison Kendall – In the Name of Healing: Until November 9th.  Thunder Bay Artist and Lakehead University Fine Arts Professor present stunning works of beads, silk, organza and lace.

The Thunder Bay Historical Museum will be holding the following exhibits or events:
October 3rd: A Taste of History:  An evening of Edwardian Food at the Travelodge Airlane.  Thunder Bay Museum’s annual dinner will feature guest speaker Brent Scollie speaking on “The Founders:  Men and Women of the Early Thunder Bay Historical Society”
October 25 & 26th: Haunted Halls of the Thunder Bay Museum.  Take the chance and check out the strange going-ons in our “behind the scenes” hallways and stairwells.  After touring through the haunted halls there is a supervised Halloween Party on the second floor with face painting, crafts, games, and more.
For more information on these events visit http://www.thunderbaymuseum.com or call (807) 623-0801.

On October 8th the city of Thunder Bay would like to invite you and your family down to Marina Park between 1 and 8pm for the stop of the Canadian Pacific (CP) Spirit Train.  The CP Spirit Train is a mobile ambassador moving the Olympic Spirit across Canada to celebrate the 2010 Winter Games.  Come down and enjoy interactive winter sport activities, explore exhibits in the CP Spirit Train Village, dance to live music performed by Local entertainers as well as Colin James, Interact with inspiring Canadian athletes, as well as get your picture taken with one of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Mascots.  For more information and event details visit http://www.cpspirittrain.com.      

The Thunder Bay Community Auditorium invites you to take in one of the following concerts during October:  Visit http://www.tbca/com or call (807) 684-4444 for more information on these and other upcoming concerts.
October 4th – Alice Cooper “The Psycho-Drama Tour”
October 12th – David Copperfield “An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusions”
October 15th – Hedley “A night to remember”
October 17th – Thunder Bay in Concert
October 18th – Stayin Alive
October 21st – Michael Kaeshammer
October 23rd – Thomas & Friends: Live on Stage
October 26th – Gerry Dee: Last Canadian Standing
October 28th-29th - Hairspray

Definitely Superior Art Gallery presents a wide variety of Wide Variety of Contemporary Art in October.  Below is a list of exhibits that they are highlighting during the month of October:  For more information on these exhibits visit http://www.definitelysuperior.com. 
Until October 4th, the exhibit will include England’s award-winning photographer Marjorie Clayton with her award-winning collection dealing with global socio-political ideas/concepts entitled “Bumpsters on Banjul” alongside her father Charlie Clayton with his collection of urban and natural landscapes of Northwestern Ontario titled “Memory Scapes”, as well as Peter Kingstone’s award winning video titled “100 Stories about My Grandmother”.
From October 6-12, with conjunction with the Thunder Bay Public Library, 4th Annual Random Acts of Poetry:  Thunder Bay Performance Project.  This event promotes poetry, art and literacy in a refreshing way to people in their everyday lives. Featuring “urban invention” Spoken by 20+ poets at 30+ locations.
From October 17th - November 15th, Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s 20th Anniversary Northwestern Ontario Juried Art Exhibition “Communication”.
On October 31st, The Hungar Cabaret.  For those 19+ come out and visit 3 venues (Kilory’s, Jack’s, and Black Pirates Pub) with 21 live bands, 3 DJ’s, 110 artists, see live Belly Dancers, Dead Dolls, Burlesque, Fire Manipulators, Drag Queens, and much more. 

On October 10th & 11th, Nipigon River Adventures invites you to their first mini-retreat weekend called “Woman’s Fall Appreciation” at their Quebec Lodge in Red Rock.  For more information visit http://www.nipigonriveradventures.com, or call (807) 621-6342.

On October 18th and 19th, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to their 3rd annual Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce Health & Wellness Expo at the Valhalla Inn.  See over 60 health, fitness and nutrition experts along with interactive displays and seminars.  Win over $3000 in great prizes all just for a $2 admission.  Free gift bags to the first 250 attendances each day.  For more information on this event or future events visit http://www.tb-chamber.on.ca or call (807) 624-2621.  Look for more fun upcoming events such as the 20th Annual Wedding Wishes Formal Fair in November, and in 2009 their Superior Tastes wine food expo, Central Canada Outdoor Show, and their annual Trade Show and Business Expo

General Tourist Information

On October 4th the new Downtown Artisans & Farmers Market will be opening at 507 E Victoria Ave.  It is open Saturdays from 9am-4pm year round with fresh produce, freshly prepared foods, entertainment, and the work of local artists.  For more information contact Jim at (807) 621-3133.

The Comfort Inn Thunder Bay celebrates summer with great savings!  Check in for great rates and great service.  Our professional, hospitable staff awaits your arrival.  Plan your get away by calling (807) 475-3155 and ask for your special “E-news rate”.

The Canada Games Complex has 'Something for every BODY'. Open 7 days a week and 363 days a year come enjoy the multifaceted recreational facility that offers aquatic, fitness and recreational activities to people of all ages. Enjoy, the 77 meter pool, the 10, 7.5 and 5 meter diving towers and one and 3 meter diving boards, the 73 meter Thunderslide with badminton and Ping-Pong tables to enjoy on the pool deck. Weight and Whirlpools and new on deck Change Areas for Families and People with Disabilities are also available. Daily admission rates are reasonable. Swim, splash, laugh, unwind, move, enjoy! Families are at the Heart of the Complex. Visit us them at http://www.gamescomplex.com.

Stay in touch via e-mail while you’re in town.  All locations of the Thunder Bay Public Library offer free public internet access computers and wireless (WIFI) service.  For more information, including locations and hours of operation, please visit our Virtual Library 24/7 at http://www.tbpl.ca.  

Come out and join in the fun at the Children’s Museum for Thunder Bay, The Imagination Station.  The museum is open on Sundays from 1-4pm at a cost of $4 per child.  Birthday parties and group visits are available upon request.  For more information e-mail childrensmuseumforthunderbay@yahoo.ca or call (807) 345-2222.

Located right by Intercity Shopping Centre.  Come by for a visit to see Ontario’s largest air-filled dome structure at 87,000 sq ft of family fun and entertainment.  The Thunder Bay Sports Dome offers a wide variety of sporting activities including mini-putting, basketball, tennis, badminton and much more.  Book ahead or drop in at your convenience.  Open from 8am to 11pm daily.  Full menu concession and licensed bar available.  Check out http://www.thesportsdome.ca for upcoming events and activities.

Until October 13th, Fort William Historical Park is open daily from 10am to 5pm with regularly scheduled tours.  For more information visit their website at http://www.fwhp.ca, e-mail fwhp@ontario.ca, or call (807) 473-2344.

In October, visit Chenier Fine Arts, the Purple Gallery at 8 Court Street South.  They sell original art by emerging and established Canadian, regional, and international artists in a diverse range of art styles ranging from traditional and abstract.  Visit http://www.chenierfinearts.ca for more information and view the 50 artists represented at the art gallery.