Waterford, Ontario

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Waterford is a small town located in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada about 11km (7 miles) north of the town of Simcoe, which is the county seat for Norfolk County. Population of the town is approximately 2,500 (2001).

The town sits on the old Canada Southern Railroad, preceding various other rail company takeovers, the latest of which was by CN/CP. The now idle line passes through Ontario between Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan.

The area surrounding the village is primarily agricultural land, with tobacco and corn among the chief crops. Other natural health and organic crops are being explored, such as ginseng, but area farmers are generally suffering from the decline of the tobacco industry.

In 1979, a freak tornado swept through Waterford, devastating trees, homes, and public property.

Former Minister of Agriculture and Liberal MP Bob Speller lives with his family in the community of Villa Nova, just minutes east of Waterford.

[edit] Pumpkinfest

Every October the weekend of the third Friday of the month, the community hosts a Pumpkin Festival. This includes a fireworks display, parade, home decorating contest and a spook house. The event is centered around the pumpkin harvest. Tourism reaches a peak during this time for Waterford. The Pumpkinfest was the backdrop for a national ad campaign featuring President's Choice Pumpkin Cheesecake.

[edit] Vango Adventure Farm

Vango Adventure Farm is located just south of Waterford proper, and is owned by Mr. Mark VanGoethem, and consists of a corn maze, an old fashioned hay ride, food, and is slowly expanding into 15 different phases. There are a lot of things for young families to do and although the admission is pricey, the entertainment value is worth it in the summer and early autumn. The theme park was officially opened on September 30, 2006 and there was live country music playing throughout. While it will be open for only 2 months in 2006, Mark has promised that 2007 will be a profitable year for the theme park and his corporation, VanGo Adventure Farm, Inc.