Picture this: you’ve just finished dinner on a picturesque main street where you got to choose from six excellent restaurants within one block and now you’re deciding between a concert across the street in an iconic local cultural centre or a stroll along the water to catch the setting sun on Georgian Bay.
This is the magic of Meaford, where small town life meets urban culture creating an atmosphere that feels both familiar and full of opportunity.
Walking into Meaford is like flipping through an old family album. For longtime resident Jessica Kenyon, the municipality’s Small and Medium Business Liaison, the town is “more than just a place—it’s family, it’s my roots.”
“Meaford is the perfect blend of nostalgia, yet you can see it growing right before your eyes,” she says.

Kenyon’s words capture the connection many feel to the town. Even those who have left for a time often find themselves drawn back years later. And what they find in 2025 is a town that is growing to accommodate new events, businesses, and development. “There’s something magnetic about this place,” says Kenyon. “People leave, but they always come back.”
The town’s history is visible in its well-kept heritage buildings and historic sites, reminders of a rich past that still shape the community. Yet, alongside this history is a noticeable energy for progress and new opportunities.
“In Meaford, everyone shows up for each other.”
In recent years, Meaford has transformed from a quiet retreat into a growing municipality with fresh ideas, new storefronts, and a rising number of residents. For example, Aura Maya Spa, Jake’s Grab & Go, and The Milk Maid are bringing fresh energy to Sykes Street, as is the new Lovebird Beer x Belle Marche combo. The corner of Sykes and Berry Street is getting busier with Savvy Co. recently opening beside Hills and the Craig Gallery.



For Mayor Ross Kentner, Meaford is an ongoing experiment in small-town resilience. Having first arrived on Thanksgiving weekend in 1956, Kentner says, “Meaford has given me everything I could have ever asked for out of life.” And he is quick to debunk the notion that the town is in decline. “There are a lot of people in Meaford who think it’s shrinking, but they’re wrong.”
More families and young professionals are choosing Meaford for its mix of small-town charm and quality of life that it offers. According to Kentner, it is a community where neighbours know each other and where local businesses are at the heart of everyday life.

Entrepreneurs like Chris and Katie Sweatman, owners of Grey Heron Garden Centre; Mitch Good, owner of Good Family Farms; Stephanie Price, owner of The Dam Pub; and Rheanna Kish, co-owner of Pom Pom Ice Cream along with Andrea Greyerbiehl, were drawn to Meaford because of that rare mix of community support and new potential.
Good, whose farm sells nearly 100 percent of its produce to the local community, says, “Meaford is the next frontier.”
“I completely believe in the beauty of this area,” he says. “The wealth in that beauty is what attracted us here in the first place. Then we looked around, and it was very easy to see this place as home.” Good’s commitment to local, sustainable food production not only supports the community but also highlights Meaford as a self-sustaining town dedicated to nurturing local businesses.

For Kish, it’s the town’s close-knit nature that stands out as one of its biggest strengths.
“In Meaford, everyone shows up for each other,” she says, highlighting a sense of genuine community that can be seen in every local business and neighbourhood gathering. Kish, who expanded her business from Thornbury to a year-round location in Meaford, is left speechless by the town’s unique blend of tight-knit, neighbourly support.

“Here, everything feels more personal,” she says. “When something is happening, Meaford comes out in a way that’s different from other towns—you get that sense that everyone truly cares about each other.”
Kish and Good’s experiences aren’t unique. Across town, local business owners and service providers echo a similar sentiment: Meaford is not about big flashy developments or endless chains of stores. It’s about genuine relationships.
“Operating a business in Meaford is great for many reasons,” says Jake Hemeon, owner of Jake’s Grab & Go citing “the sense of support and community” as an important one. “The way that Meaford is thriving makes me so proud to be part of it all.”

Yet, it isn’t just the business community that is witnessing a renaissance. The overall growth of Meaford is reshaping it as a tourism destination in its own right.
For years, neighbouring communities such as Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, and the Blue Mountains have dominated the visitor landscape. Now, The Municipality of Meaford is increasingly attracting tourists with its own unique appeal.



Stretching from the waterfront village of Leith – favoured by cottage-goers for its scenic shoreline – to smaller communities like Annan, Bognor and Woodford, the municipality offers a diverse playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Its boundaries extend well beyond the waterfront, encompassing rolling farmlands, wooded hills, and dramatic escarpments that provide the perfect backdrop for hiking, cycling, and photography, to name a few.
The sections of Bruce Trail that run through Woodford offer stunning hikes while the Woodford Community Centre boasts the Meaford Theatre Company, a non-profit organization offering theatrical productions for both youth and adults.
If you haven’t visited the Historic Leith Church for a concert, the Leith Summer Festival is the perfect opportunity for a unique experience that blends ambience, history and the arts. Make sure to wander out through cemetery during intermission to visit Tom Thomson’s gravesite.
Another unique experience in the Municipality of Meaford is Bognor’s Canada Day Festivities. New resident and Communications & Events Officer at the Bognor Community Centre, Tricia Gray, recalls her first Canada Day. “It was an amazing feeling. I remember sitting in my lawn chair with my husband and I turned to him and said ‘I think I’m home.’”
Bognor’s Community Centre hosts all sorts of events like concerts, craft shows, dinners, and dances, which are apparently held on the best dancefloor in the County. But it’s the Canada Day celebrations that are closest to Tricia’s heart. She raves about the classic car show, face painting and family friendly games like potato sack racing, golf chipping, and log sawing. Live music happens until dusk when the fireworks begin and the legendary cupcakes are given out. Tricia says that Bognor’s fireworks are a must-see. “I personally like to think we have the best fireworks of anywhere in Grey County,” she says.
While the expansive Municipality offers lots to do all summer, it is urban Meaford that boasts the impressive dining experiences. Add the new Station 87 to the roster of amazing restaurants like Fran’s Mercato, The Dam Pub, Leaky Canoe, and Belle Marche.

The combination of sparkling water, expansive landscapes, and small-town charm is capturing the attention of travellers seeking both relaxation and adventure, firmly establishing Meaford as one of Ontario’s best destinations.
The town’s development has also accelerated in recent years. Following the challenges of COVID-19, when people were forced to reconsider the way they lived and traveled, Meaford saw a significant boost in interest. Councilor Robert Uhrig says, “COVID changed the way people think about home. In 2020, we saw almost $45 million in development on the books—and in 2021, that figure jumped to over $100 million.”
This surge in development shows that more people are discovering Meaford not just as a place to live, but as a destination that offers a rich mix of history, nature, and modern living.
“Growing up, Meaford was always next. Collingwood had their spurt, and then Thornbury, and Meaford was next,” says Kentner. “The way I see it, next is now.”
However, the ongoing expansion is not without its challenges.
As Meaford grows, so too does the need for upgraded infrastructure—whether it’s expanding the wastewater plant or enhancing road networks. These demands are a natural part of growth, requiring careful planning and investment to ensure the community remains vibrant and sustainable for the future.
“It’s going to be a tightrope walk,” says Uhrig, “but managing growth effectively is exactly what will make Meaford a sustainable and desirable place to live.”

This proactive approach ensures that even as the town welcomes new residents and businesses, its small-town feel and community spirit remain intact. “People are attracted to Meaford because it feels like home – a place to raise your family, where old friends remain and new ones are quickly embraced,” says Kenyon.
Community events add another layer to Meaford’s appeal. Festivals like the Meaford Scarecrow Invasion, Summerfest, and Christmas on the Bay, along with local concerts and markets that have taken place for over 80 years, bring people together and celebrate the town’s heritage and growth. Meaford Hall is a cultural centre offering weekly shows that draw people from all over the area. Festivals like Electric Eclectics bring music fans from all over Ontario to Scotch Mountain each summer.

These events are more than just gatherings; they are a testament to the strong community spirit that makes Meaford unique. Whether it’s a street festival or a quiet evening by the harbour, every event is a chance for residents and visitors alike to connect and enjoy the town’s warm, welcoming atmosphere.
As the town continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: Meaford is not just a destination on the map, but a living, breathing community that offers something truly unique in today’s fast-paced world.
“We’re dreaming big, but we’re doing it slowly and thoughtfully,” Uhrig says. “It’s about respecting our heritage while also welcoming modern comforts.”
Mayor Kentner agrees: “We’re not trying to reinvent Meaford. We just want to make sure that as we grow, everyone, especially our kids, can enjoy the beauty and warmth of this place.”
His words underline a simple truth: progress, when done with care, can coexist with tradition.
Written by Maddie Johnson
Feature photo and others by John Fearnall of Good Noise Photography