Rain or shine, beach towns are ready for you this long weekend
Both Grand Bend, Ont. and Port Stanley, Ont. are expected to be busy this long weekend.
But some other beach towns in the London area are also preparing for visitors.
On Friday morning, the beach in Port Burwell, Ont. offered calm before the storm.
The term applies to both the forecast and anticipated crowds.
To prepare for the latter, municipal crews were grooming the beach and putting out picnic tables.
Yet, early in the day, the only visitor to the water were on the pier side.
While casting a line, one fisherman summed up the unofficial start to the first long weekend of summer.
“The weather kind of put a damper on things, I think,” he sighed.
Larry and Judy are camping in Port Burwell, Ont. for the Victoria Day weekend. The couple are thrilled to travel after two years of COVID-19 restrictions. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)In town, even the historic lighthouse had trouble overshadowing the clouds in the sky.
But, with a mixed bag of weather expected, optimism remains as day-trippers and campers arrive.
At Big Otter Creek campground, Judy and her husband Larry were pleased to have secured a river-front site with a boat slip.
“We got a primo location, because we’re early. And I expect to have a few neighbours later today,” Judy said.
The pair from the Ottawa area booked their site weeks ago. They had hoped Mother Nature would cooperate.
"We hope for sunshine. And it can rain, but overnight, not during the day," Judy said.
Keianna Brimmer is a summer student at the historic lighthouse museum in Port Burwell, Ont., May 20, 2022. (Sean Irvine CTV News). Back in town, the weather does not matter to those who live here year-round, including Brian L’heureux.
Yet on Friday, he was fixing up a seasonal cottage for a friend. As he worked, he told CTV News that he is eager to see people in town again after two years of COVID-19 restrictions.
“It is nice to see the town busy, and things are happening," he said.
Ditto, says lighthouse summer student Keianna Brimmer. She has spent the past two summers shooing away large crowds.
“That was really disheartening last year, sending people away with our max capacity limits. But now, we’re encouraging people to get up there and support our town," she said.
Back on the pier, the fisherman agreed.
“[It will] Be nice to get people back on the beach again”, he said, adding even if it is “rain or shine.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.