Ayton, Ontario
Ayton is a community in the municipality of West Grey, Grey County, Ontario, Canada.
Formerly the seat of local government for the disbanded Normanby Township, it is best described as a rural village nestled on the banks of the South Saugeen River and the center of a prosperous farming area, also known for camping at 2 local camp grounds (Riverplace and Silent Valley), hidden in the quietness of this small community with a population of about 500. Some small organic farms can be found and some hobby farms. People tend to be very friendly and eager to talk to strangers to get to know them better. Some city folk retire here just to enjoy small town atomosphere. Culture stems from mostly Germanic and Irish settlers, but also some Dutch 1950's, Swiss and Filipino 1990-2000's. You might even see some Amish going through town. Great place to go fishing in the summer or use the snowmobile trails in winter.
Although mostly a farming community, Ayton does have an Arena (ice rink), Community Hall, Royal Bank, Recreation Hall, Elementary school (Normanby Community School), gas station, 2 auto repair shops, LCBO Outlet in Granny's General store (ATM), Blondies Tavern with billards and home cooked meals, Lutheran Church, ELCIC, Pentecostal church, Roman Catholic Church. The old water powered mill, in the heart of the town, has a new career producing hydro for the grid instead of grist for the farmer. Ayton is the home of Fisher Poultry layers and pullets, Domm Construction, PM Graphics, Impressions, Germania Mutual Insurance, Culbert Insurance Broker, Weppler Farm Machinery Ltd. repairing older farm and construction equipment and sales of new smaller shortline equipment, and Filsingers Organic Foods with 100 acres of orchards and a store with a very diverse selection of health foods, some of several major industries in West Grey.
Located on the intersection of Grey Road 3 and Grey Road 9, Ayton is geographically south of Hanover, southwest of Durham, and a neighbour to Neustadt. Ayton is also the retirement town of Canadian musician and entertainer, hall of famer, Eddy (M) Melanson.