Taking
a scenic drive through Perth East is
like travelling back in time. Past the historic Fryfogel Inn on Highway
7 & 8, you’ll find the
eclectic Hamlet of Shakespeare. This well-known antiquing paradise has
some of the most unique shops and cafes in the county. Its central location
makes it the ideal place to stay during your visit to the area. The friendly
and knowledgeable staff at the Perth County Welcome Centre and Artisan
Market has all the information you’ll need to plan your stay. Once
you’ve finished planning your itinerary, take a moment to browse
through the handmade, handcrafted treasures created by some of Perth
County’s best artisans. When you’re back on the road, don’t
be surprised if you find yourself sharing the street with a horse and
buggy, as there are several Amish and Mennonite communities that call
Perth East home. Not only are they fascinating groups of people to learn
from, they also create fine wood furniture, quilts, crafts and food.
Plan to attend some of Perth East’s popular annual events including
the Milverton Rodeo, the Amish School Auction, the Forbidden Ride Motorcycle
event and the Flavours of Perth Dinner. Finally, no trip to Perth East
is complete without sampling the good, old-fashioned, home cooking and
baking from Millbank’s famous Anna Mae’s Family Restaurant.
Recreation and Activities
The Perth East Recreation Complex boasts a large arena, community centre,
outdoor pool, new playground equipment, health and fitness facility,
baseball diamonds, soccer pitch and a walking trail. The region is dotted
with peaceful park areas wonderful for an afternoon of picnicking and
playing. Behind Morning Star School in Millbank, you’ll find the
Kissing Bridge Trail; a lovely half-kilometre long path perfect for a
leisurely stroll with your sweetheart. The Shakespeare Conservation Area,
just north of Shakespeare, has a beautiful picnic area with a pond that’s
great for fishing. The Shakespeare & Community Athletic Association's
Annual Field Day & Fish Fry is June 12 and features a Firefighter's
Breakfast, soap box derby and an afternoon full of family-based activities.
Shopping and Treasures
At the east end of Shakespeare, the new Artisan Marketplace at the Welcome
Centre is a must-see. It’s a treasure trove of one-of-kind items
made by local residents—jewellery, journals, alpaca wool, hemp
products and much more, from sophisticated and chic to quirky and fun.
Then move down the road to the west and discover Perth County’s
antiques capital. The streets of Shakespeare are lined with quaint little
shops offering the chance to explore for yesteryear treasures and special
mementos. From British delights to a quilter’s wonderland, there’s
something for everyone. You’ll find plenty of collectibles, home
decor and vintage items as you shop around Milverton, Millbank and Sebringville.
There are also some amazing garden centres and Mennonite and Amish furniture
showrooms in Millbank and surrounding areas. Stop along the way to pick
up snacks and fresh baked goodies at the local general stores. Perth
East farm-gate sales provide everything you need to create a delicious
impromptu meal.
Natural Attractions and Architecture
Perth East proudly displays its heritage with pristine churches and
characteristic architecture, as seen at the Carnegie library in Milverton.
Brocksden Country School Museum, just north of Shakespeare, is a great
place to show younger generations what it was like to attend a one-room
schoolhouse. The historic Fryfogel Inn, located on Highway 7 & 8
just east of Shakespeare, originally opened in 1828 with only a partially
constructed log building. The current building was erected in 1844–45.
It was run by the first settlers to Perth County, Sebastian and Mary
Fryfogel. The Inn remains one of the few examples in this area of Upper
Canadian Neo-Classic architecture. The old post office in Shakespeare
and the General Store in Millbank are two buildings that have maintained
their original architecture. At Morningdale Park in Millbank sits the
Dunbar Settler’s Cabin; if you walk back toward the river, you
can still find the foundation for the old mill on the bank of the Nith,
which gave the village its name. At the gateway to Perth East, you can
find a metal span bridge over the Nith, which is believed to be the very
one on which Canadian author Jane Urquhart based the bridge from her
famous novel “The Stone Carvers.” Visit www.visitperth.ca
for historic walking and driving tours.
Music and Theatre
Most of Perth East’s musical and theatrical experiences stem from
their numerous faith-based communities and organizations. Please go to
www.visitperth.ca for a list of Perth East events. The Swiss Choir holds
their annual brunch in May at the Perth East Recreation Centre; contact
the centre for more information. Another notable musical feature in Perth
East is the Gospel Echoes Team. This group of not-for-profit Christian
volunteers travel to prisons all over North America, working with prisoners
through music and scripture. The local branch is based out of Millbank.
They will be hosting their Annual Quilt Auction & Benefit Sale in
November at the Perth East Recreation Centre. Visit their website (www.gospelechoes.com)
for more information.
Fabulous Food
You’ll fall in love with the fantastic food produced in Perth
East. Go on a self-guided epicurean trek through the region; take your
taste buds on a culinary journey from cheesemakers to bakeries, fruit
growers to farm-gate sales offering quality cuts of meat from locally
raised heritage breeds. Pick up a copy of the Huron Perth Buy Local Buy
Fresh map at the Perth County Welcome Centre in Shakespeare for directions
to all of East Perth’s farm-gate sales. The Milverton Farmer’s
Market will kick off during the Milverton Rodeo, and feature the area’s
best growers and artisans. After the rodeo, the market will once again
be held on Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m. A local jewel, Anna Mae’s
Family Restaurant and Bakery serves up mouth-watering home-cooking and
baking. Other fabulous cafes and eateries in the area offer their own
distinct and delicious niche. The new fine dining establishment in Sebringville
provides patrons with a healthy menu featuring great salads and homemade
baking. The popular Flavours of Perth Pork Dinner in August is a fundraiser
for the Stratford Perth Museum at the Shakespeare Optimist Hall.
Arts & Crafts
Pick up a copy of the new Perth Arts Connect Art and Culture Brochure
Map at the Perth County Welcome Centre and Artisan Market. While you’re
there, check out the many talented local artisans who display their treasures
there. Then head to the Shakespeare quilt shop for inspiration and supplies
for your next project. The Perth East Recreation Complex will be blanketed
with quilts during the 17th Annual Quilt Auction and Benefit Sale in
November for the Gospel Echoes Team. Friday evening will feature a Gospel
concert, barbeque and silent auction. On Saturday, crafts, furniture,
tools, and miscellaneous, new and used items will be auctioned off live,
in addition to the silent auction. The Quilt Auction will start at 1
pm. Take a leisurely drive to Millbank and view hundreds of stunning
handmade authentic Amish quilts. The Amish School Auction is an event
that draws huge crowds of people in search of home-made, hand-made Amish
treasures. It supports the local Amish schools and has a different host
farm near Millbank each July.
Festivals and Fairs
Join us for “An Evening to Celebrate National Women’s Day.” This
gala event is held at the Perth East Recreation Complex in early spring.
Shakespeare will be roaring the last weekend in May, when the second
annual Forbidden Ride motorcycle event gets underway from the Perth County
Welcome Centre. Go to www.visitperth.ca to find out about other events
at the centre. The Shakespeare & Community Athletic Association's
Annual Field Day & Fish Fry is the second weekend in June and features
a Firefighter's Breakfast, soap box derby and an afternoon full of family-based
activities. The evening fish fry draws upwards of a thousand people every
year. In July, take a drive to the Amish School Auction near Millbank
and bid on some fabulous finds. There’s something for everyone
to do in August including the 20th Annual Milverton Dodge Rodeo weekend,
the Flavours of Perth Pork Dinner, Milverton’s Moonlight Madness
and Millbank Days. Bring the whole family out to the 147th Annual Milverton
Fall Fair the second weekend after Labour Day. In December, join Millbank
for an old fashioned Christmas in the Village featuring caroling, horse
drawn wagon rides and great shopping at local retailers.
Heritage
The traditional Amish and Mennonite way of life is an integral part
of Perth East’s culture. Come and experience perhaps the rarest
feature Perth County has to offer—experience and observe the Amish
community and its citizens going about their everyday business. It is
important to understand that the people of these groups are very discreet,
so please respect their privacy by contacting the Perth County Welcome
Centre to set up a tour. One sideroad west of the blinking light in Edgecomb,
you’ll find an Amish Cemetery, right beside the school. It’s
quite fascinating because the graves are only marked with small tombstones
with just the deceased’s initials on them. This shows their dedication
to rejecting self-promotion, pride and arrogance.
For more information about the Millbank area visit the
following pages:
