​Almost 2,000 tour Point Clark Lighthouse this summer

This summer, the Point Clark Lighthouse and Museum welcomed 1,373 paying adults and 614 paying children (aged 4-12), which was about the same as last year, with 1,374 paying adults and 641 paying children.

That was part of the update from Huron-Kinloss economic development officer Amy Irwin, in a report to council at its committee-of-the-whole meeting, Monday night, Oct. 6.

Summer student staff administered a children’s program at the lighthouse each Friday afternoon, with an average of 15 children attending each week. Staff hosted a Canada Day celebration, National Lighthouse Day celebration, evening tours on Thursday nights, and a paint night. Staff also represented the Point Clark Lighthouse with a booth at the National Marine Heritage Festival in July, and collaborated with local retirement home Rosewood RVilla in Ripley to display some of the residents’ artwork on a gallery wall in the lighthouse museum.

Irwin’s update highlighted ongoing support for local businesses, including the Homegrown retreat for rural women entrepreneurs, the grand opening of Schooner’s Bodega in Ripley, and a joint open house with Acacia Fine Cabinetry to showcase opportunities in the Ripley Industrial Park. Staff also continued preparations for the upcoming Investors Tour, scheduled for Nov. 14.

On the tourism front, more than 8,500 people attended Music in the Fields, and the Ripley Reunion was very well-attended.

The Back Forty Bites marketing campaign (an eat-local initiative), supported by funding from RTO7, generated more than 676,000 impressions and 19,000 link clicks.

Revitalization work in downtown Ripley continued, with new fencing, planters, and student-created artwork installed at 50 Queen Street.

Staff has also engaged with local businesses to provide information, gather feedback, and help them prepare for the coming Ontario Blue Box transition.