Clearview Small Halls Festival – Fun for the Whole Family

Ontario Visited askes:  I imagine Grace that the small halls are community open for all families’ year round for things to do.  But particularly talking about the Small Halls Festival, is it really a family event or who is invited to this who would really enjoy this?

Grace shares: We have a mix of different events. So, we have some that are very much focused on a family-friendly atmosphere that are inviting to all, but we also do have 19 plus events to have a great rounded experience for everyone.

Ontario Visited askes: Part of the Small Halls Festival is to tell the stories of the halls. Could you shed some light about how the communities thrive together with small halls in your region?

Grace shares: Yeah. …for years on end, these small halls have been open to community members and they have been a way for these communities to develop when there wasn’t a whole lot. so back in, the 50s and 60s when communities were more segregated, it was that opportunity for them to get together and celebrate any milestone that was happening in the community.  And as Clearview Township has grown and included all of these communities, it’s given the opportunity for these communities to still have a place of identity, and celebrate what makes them unique because we have so many different communities that are known for different things.

And these halls remain true to those communities while still celebrating being united as Clearview Township.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT…

What’s so special about these community halls and what brings the communities together?

We ask Grace if she can you tell us what’s so special about these community halls and what brings the communities together?

Grace shares:  So, these halls have hosted events not only just for the community, but for everyone for years on end. And it’s really a great opportunity to open the doors to these really unique experiences that you won’t get anywhere else. These aren’t massive events. They’re very small-town events that we’re really excited to highlight that not only highlight the importance of celebrating our community.

Grace also shares: They are really unique and one of a kind. They’re these beautiful spaces that have held community events for years on end, but we want to open the doors up and really allow participants not only from the region, but also outside the region

I think the biggest part of the story is the fact that they’re really small one-of-kind experiences that people are going to get in these buildings.

It’s not these big elaborate concerts. It’s this down to home roots event that you get to chat with your neighbours and your community members and… meet the people who even live in this community for people who are coming outside of the region for these events and to really open the doors to these unique spaces that are a one-of-kind experience.

What Kind of activities at Small Halls Festival?

Ontario Visited asks:  What kinds of things happen at the Small Halls Festival? What would one expect to experience when they come?

Grace elaborates: You can experience a little bit of everything.

We have a variety of events lined up. you can see live music, culinary experiences as well as theatre performances and…even much more. There’s really something for everyone. So, everyone can enjoy the Small Halls Festival.

Ontario Visited askes: Do Small Halls Festival showcase the local culinary and the local breweries or craft beer or whiskies or things like that Grace?

Grace shares: Yeah. …they showcase a lot of different aspects of our local scene. so, from local restaurants who are cooking up meals for these events, as well as our beautiful breweries such as Creemore Springs Brewery and the Duntroon Cider House.

And we have lots of incredible beverage companies throughout Clear View that we’re very excited to partner with for the Small House Festival including the Creemore Springs Brewery and Duntroon Cider House, which you can taste their local craft beverages at these events.

Join Us at Brentwood Hall Edition!

Step inside history at Brentwood Hall, a cherished gathering place that began as a two-room schoolhouse in 1875. From baby showers to euchre tournaments, family reunions to New Year’s dances — this hall has seen it all!

💫 With its original tin ceiling recently uncovered, and a spacious outdoor field with horseshoe pits, Brentwood Hall is more than a venue — it’s a community heartbeat.

🕰️ Come experience the unpolished charm, the stories, the laughter, and the legacy. Discover why generations of locals have made memories here.

📍 9926 County Rd 10, New Lowell, Ontario

Small Halls

The Community Halls, or “Small Halls” as they are affectionately called, are often referred to as the heart of Clearview Township. In Clearview, we’re proud of our rural agricultural heritage and the Small Halls have been a cornerstone of the rural community for generations. Everything from card games, birthdays and anniversaries to dances, reunions and weddings, Small Halls have been a gathering place for rural communities to socialize and mark important occasions. In Clearview, we’re fortunate to have so many of them providing valuable programs and services to the community. The Small Halls Festival, founded in 2014, was created to celebrate the legacy of the Small Halls. To showcase their uniqueness and the value that they add to the communities throughout our Township. It’s a festival to commemorate and celebrate the rural way of life we continue to enjoy today.

In 2022, the Small Halls Festival transitioned from a single-weekend event to a festival series. There are now events happening between September to November. This allows visitors the opportunity to experience as many halls as possible over several weeks and come back and discover everything Clearview Township has to offer.

The cherished Small Halls have been open for families to enjoy for generations and the Small Halls Festival is no different! Whether it is the “Chicken Races at Duntroon”, Family Bowling Night at Avening Hall or the Hike the Bluffs starting at Singhampton Hall, the Festival has been able to provide free family activities. We are proud to partner with the Creemore Festival of the Arts and showcase local and regional artists each year!

https://www.smallhallsfestival.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/SmallHallsFestival/

https://www.instagram.com/discoverclearview     @discoverclearview