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The Municipality of Leamington launched its 150th anniversary celebrations with three days of cars, music and fireworks.
They cruised and preened Saturday from the Leamington Fairgrounds to the Leamington Dock to the uptown business area in vehicles dating back 50, 60 even 70 years during the Dream Cruise and car show.
Owners displayed their lovingly restored classic cars and hot rods along Talbot Street West, Queen Avenue and John Street in an exhibition of automotive history and style.
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“Leamington’s 150th anniversary is a historic occasion, and what better way to celebrate than with a Dream Cruise and Car Shows,” said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for both residents and visitors to experience the charm of our town.”
Leamington was established in 1874 but French voyageurs and missionaries first began exploring the area during the 17th century.
Mersea Township, named after a wooded island in a bay off the North Sea in Essex County, England, was surveyed in 1792.
In 1835, all the land west of what is now Highway 77 was cleared and established as a settlement on the Mersea-Gosfield Townline.
Leamington had its beginnings at the same time as farmers established themselves and a store and post office opened along Talbot Road.
By 1858, the population of Leamington had grown to 75. In 1860, regular stagecoach communication was established between Leamington and Windsor.
Essex County Council passed a bylaw in 1874, elevating the status of the hamlet to an incorporated village.
Anniversary celebrations continued with musical entertainment welcoming visitors to Italian Centennial Park on John Street on both Saturday and Sunday.
The three-day celebration was topped off with a concert at the SUNSET Amphitheatre in Seacliff Park, featuring headliner Terri Clark.
Michelle Wright opened the free Canada Day concert, part of the Music ONthe42 summer concert series.
To cap off the evening, a display of fireworks was released over Lake Erie.
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