Rural Lights, Winter Nights at Clearview

This free self-guided driving tour spans November 24, 2025 through February 23, 2026, placing illuminated 3D displays at community halls, parks, and village centres across all of Clearview Township. More than 20 light displays at 14 unique locations feature large-format stars, snowflakes, and deer sculptures viewable any evening throughout the three-month season.

The experience unfolds across the rolling terrain between Stayner and Creemore, two towns separated by just 11 kilometres, 10 minutes driving via County Road 42.

Stayner anchors three installations: Fountain Park, ON-26, features twin stars, Station Park, 7259 ON-26, displays snowflakes, and Centennial, Kinsmen Park, 240 Brock Street, showcases two deer. Creemore contributes Station on the Green, 10 Caroline Street E, with snowflakes and Mad River Park, 1 George Street, with triple snowflakes overlooking interpretive signage about the historic Mad River.

The township provides three curated itineraries. The Family Fun route begins at Fountain Park, continues through Station Park, Sunnidale Corners Hall, 12391 County Road 10, Brentwood Community Centre, 9926 County Road 10, and ends at New Lowell Recreation Park, 5212 County Road 9, which features an outdoor skating rink.

The Date Night route starts at Nottawa Memorial Community Centre, 4129 Simcoe County Road 124, progresses through Duntroon Hall, 9025 County Road 91, Stayner’s three parks, Avening Community Centre, 3401 County Road 42, and culminates in Creemore.

The Nature Lovers route incorporates Clearview EcoPark, Islay Park, and the atmospheric Dunedin Village Hall, 8994 County Road 9, perched on the banks of the Noisy River before reaching Singhampton Fire Hall, 70403 County Road 124, located past the Mad River.

Geography enriches the experience profoundly. The Mad River flows through Singhampton and near Creemore, while the Noisy River branches nearby. Pretty River drains into Nottawasaga Bay, the large Georgian Bay inlet located 14-20 kilometres north of the township. The Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, runs through western Clearview, offering Bruce Trail snowshoeing opportunities and occasional Georgian Bay views from elevated routes.

Dining options range from world-class tasting menus to historic pubs.

The Pine, 7535 County Road 9, Creemore, represents the area’s culinary pinnacle, a Michelin-starred restaurant relocated from Collingwood in spring 2024. Chef Jeremy Austin presents 14-22 course contemporary tasting menus with Asian-influenced Canadian cuisine at approximately $200+ prix-fixe. Reservations essential; the three-hour experience excludes guests under 16. The establishment ranked #40 in Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants.

Creemore Springs Brewery, 139 Mill Street, offers a more accessible gathering point, operating since August 15, 1987 when founder John Wiggins began fire-brewing in copper kettles with local spring water. The retail store offers free samples Monday-Saturday 11am-6pm and Sunday 11am-5pm. Chez Michel OpenTable, 150 Mill Street, a French country restaurant in a century building, provides Provence-inspired dining with a wine bar, expect prices in the $$$ range.

In Stayner, Friends Pub and Grill on Main Street serves as the local gathering spot with 90¢ wings on Wednesdays and Creemore Springs on tap. Charlie’s Diner, 7423 Highway 26, earned Reader’s Choice Best Breakfast 2021 for its all-day breakfast and schnitzel specials, open Monday-Friday 7am-2pm. For something unexpected, Angie’s Place, 5968 27/28 Sideroad Nottawasaga, established 2003, serves authentic Caribbean cuisine including jerk chicken and oxtail Thursday-Saturday 11:30am-7pm, takeout only.

The legendary Eigensinn Farm in Singhampton, Chef Michael Stadtländer’s 100-acre organic operation, offers multi-course farm-to-table dinners where 90% of ingredients grow on-site. Rated among the world’s top 10 restaurants by UK Restaurant Magazine in 2002, Eigensinn Farm reservations require significant advance planning.