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Information
Ailsa Craig is a small community located north-west of London on the former Highway Number 7,
in the County of Middlesex. For more information, see the
Ailsa Craig website.
Gala Days
It happens the third weekend of every July and Ailsa Craig is now the undisputed turtle racing capital
of the province. How did this happen you ask? The three day event was inspired by the
village's centennial in August of 1974. They wanted to create an event to draw tourists to
the area like they had in the past. (In the 1930's, Ailsa Craig had the third largest
country fair in Ontario). The idea was formed when one of the organizers went to a small
town in Manitoba where a turtle derby was held every year . The races started as four turtles
racing on a wooden board in front of a shoe store. Within 10 years more than 450 people were
coming to Ailsa Craig every July. Because of the attention this received, a racing tower
was made to add prestige to the proceedings. And, believe it or not, the fastest turtle
crossed the line in only 39 seconds! But don't forget, this 3 day celebration is not just
for turtles, but for games, food, music, and dancing too.
from The Age Dispatch Focus
by Christopher Doty
published Wednesday, July 23, 1997.
The Library
Ailsa Craig Mechanics Institute Library began shortly after the Grand Trunk Railway came to the village
in 1858. Later, as a public library, it received grants from the local council and the provincial
government. In 1963, when Middlesex County Council invoked new legislation to form the Middlesex County
Library, it became a branch of the new county system. In 1965, due to rapid expansion of the library service,
Ailsa Craig Village council offered to trade its larger quarters in exchange for the library's smaller
ones. In 1985, the Council moved back into its former quarters and the library moved into its attractive
new home in the space formerly occupied by the fire department.
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Map of Middlesex
Ailsa Craig History
CAP Site List
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