There Is Always Something Going
On In The Town of Tecumseh
Story by Matthew St. Amand
Photography courtesy Town of Tecumseh
There is always something going on in the Town of Tecumseh. Its Events calendar is as busy as Miss Tecumseh’s dance card. In the month of June, alone, there are nine community activities.
The events the town is known for are the Taste of Tecumseh, Christmas in Tecumseh, and the Tecumseh Corn Festival. This year, however, is Tecumseh’s centennial anniversary.
Regarding this achievement, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island CEO Gordon Orr commented: “We certainly recognize this milestone and welcome Tecumseh as one of our regional partners. Tecumseh has a history of putting on quality events and bringing people to the region. We congratulate the Town of Tecumseh on their centennial and celebrate this great event with them.”
As anyone in the area is aware, Tecumseh knows how to throw a party. From Saturday July 2 to Monday July 4, the town will celebrate its hundredth anniversary with activities across the three historic communities that comprise the Town of Tecumseh today.
At sunrise on July 2, at Lakewood Park North Beach, a First Nations Sunrise Ceremony will take place. This is among the most ancient and revered rituals practiced by Indigenous people today. These ceremonies often include participants expressing what they are grateful for and why while smudging themselves and their ceremonial instruments with burnt herbs is a way to purify themselves of negativity.
The opening ceremonies of the centennial celebrations will occur at Tecumseh Town Hall at 917 Lesperance road at 10 o’clock in the morning.
The day’s events wind down with a First Nations Evening Ceremony at Lakewood Park’s North Beach at 8 pm, which will be followed by a fireworks display at Lakewood Park.
On July 3, the celebrations begin at the Royal Canadian Legion, Col. Paul Poisson, for the unveiling of a mural honouring the Canadian armed forces. This will be followed by a pancake breakfast at the Legion Hall.
At 10:30 am, the Tecumseh Area Historical Society hosts an open house and historical exhibit. At 1 pm, at Fire Hall #2 at 5520 Walker Road, the Firefighter Combat Challenge will take place, with firefighters from across Essex County facing off in a skills competition that demonstrates the demands of real-life firefighting.
Optimist Park plays host to an exhibit about St. Clair Beach from 4 to 7 pm. This will be followed by community bike rally beginning and ending at Optimist Park, led by Bike Windsor Essex.
At 8 pm there will be a Truth & Reconciliation Conversation occurring at Optimist Park, offering the opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to understand our past, rebuild trust and respectful relationships, and focus on bettering future generations in Canada through dialogue. The conversation will be led by Tecumtha Ogitchada Society, Caldwell First Nation and the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre.
The night ends with two movies: Indian Horse will be shown at Optimist Park, and a more family-friendly movie will be shown at the arena.
Monday, event visitors can enjoy a free swim at Tecumseh Leisure Pool in Lacasse Park, Ste. Anne’s Church hosts an open house, and the Windsor Symphony closes the festivities with a performance at L’Essor High School Theatre.
Beyond the milestone of its centenary celebrations, Tecumseh is already a well-known destination in the area. Whether its golfing, boating, walking nature trails, playing pickle ball or simply picnicking and lounging in one of its scenic parks, Tecumseh has something for everyone.
The beauty and leisure possibilities of Lake St. Clair often eclipse Tecumseh’s other invaluable natural resource: its parks and trails. The area boasts more than 200 acres of parkland spread among 37 parks throughout the town.
The gemstone among Tecumseh’s outdoor spaces is Lakewood Park.
“The waterfront is a big draw, and Lakewood Park has really developed over the past few years,” says Brett Palmer, Senior Manager Recreation Services for the Town of Tecumseh. “It’s a beautiful setting. Photographers are out there taking pictures at night. The south end of the park, the trail sees a tremendous amount of traffic, families, people walking dogs, it’s a wonderful scene. The Park is 65 acres of manicured turf, paved walking trail, outdoor fitness equipment, 10-foot climbing boulder, winding water channel, pond and an 18 hole disc golf course.”
To those “in the know,” disc golf is the pickle ball of walking sports. Lakewood Park Disc Golf Course is the only disc golf course west of St. Thomas. The best part of this disc golf course is the price of admission: it is free.
There are six community parks: Buster Reaume, Optimist, Tecumseh Soccer Fields, St. Mary’s, Weston, Tecumseh Centre Park, and three regional parks: Lakewood, Lacasse and McAuliffe.
On Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18, the town hosts the Taste of Tecumseh Festival in conjunction with the Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach. The event begins at 5 pm and runs until 1 am at 13451 Riverside Drive east.
It’s difficult to think about now that the warm weather has only just gotten here, but Christmas in Tecumseh is one of the cornerstone events on the Events calendar.
“Christmas in Tecumseh has evolved over the years,” says Brett Palmer. “It started as an Optimist Club event and over the year the Town and the Business Improvement Area (BIA) has become involved. Everyone loves the parade which ends in front of Town Hall. There is skating, characters in the lobby at the arena. And in the park between arena and town hall, movies are shown, with popcorn available and hot chocolate and hotdogs being served by the Optimist Club.”
“The number one reason for visitors to come is visiting family and friends,” says Gordon Orr. “These events get the family out, exploring. It’s all about bringing the community together and being grateful for who we are and for what sets us apart—our diversity, food and drink.”
The tecumseh.ca has a galaxy of ideas for things to do all year round in the Town of Tecumseh. Check it out and see why, after 100 years, Tecumseh seems like it’s only just getting started.
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