Saying Goodbye to our 2026 Tourism Team

From left to right: Stella Handley, Alexis Ferguson, Ashleigh Picard

Hey Everyone! It’s Ashleigh, this summer's Tourism Development Officer from the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce. With summer coming to an end (sigh), it’s time for our Tourism Ambassador Team to say goodbye, including me, as we head back to school! But fear not - Chantal will be staying on in her role as Downtown Revitalization Activation Coordinator until the end of 2026! The Tourism Ambassadors have spent their summer promoting local businesses and events, answering tourists’ questions around Fenelon Falls, assisting the City of Kawartha Lakes Economic Development Team with the Business Count Survey, and beautifying the village by picking up garbage and pulling weeds! 

After all the hard work that the Tourism Ambassadors put in this summer, I had them answer the following questions to sum up all the fun they’ve had!

What were your favourite memories this summer while being a TA?

Stella: I loved walking the boat loop and seeing all the animals! We met a lot of dogs and cats who were travelling with their owners. My favourite was a dog named Bruce! He was so sweet and was basically trying to jump off the boat and into my arms!

Alexis: Being a TA allowed me to further experience the expansiveness of a cultural melting pot. It’s always surprising to hear how far people travel to come to Fenelon, and learning from them is one of the best experiences that this job offers. 

Ashleigh: I really enjoyed the days when the Tourism Office was busy, and I got to hear where people were visiting from and what brought them to Fenelon Falls - we have had visitors from all over North America and Europe! 

What’s the most interesting thing you learned about the community this summer?

Stella: I learned what a tight-knit community we have. I have had the pleasure of living here all my life, and this summer I’ve enjoyed seeing people I know enjoying what the amazing businesses of Fenelon Falls have to offer!

Alexis: Building on what I learned from being a TA last summer, the most interesting aspect of this job is learning about how interconnected our community really is. They build such a strong sense of belonging that I’m extremely proud to be a part of. 

Ashleigh: This is my fourth summer working at the Tourism Office. I have gotten to hear so many stories from locals and visitors, and I have come to realize that there’s a lot more to the community than what you see just walking down the street. Our community is full of people passionate about Fenelon Falls. The local businesses and community members care deeply about keeping the town’s character and history alive!

If somebody only had time to do one thing in Fenelon Falls, what would you suggest?

Stella: Go check out the Colborne Street Gallery! They focus on celebrating all art forms and have many unique and interesting art pieces! I had the pleasure of going to the opening reception of “A Hooker’s Manifesto” by Linda Smith. The exhibit was extremely well done and eye-catching! 

Alexis: One of my favourite activities to recommend is renting a bike down by the locks and taking a ride along the Victoria Rail Trail. It’s such a beautiful and relaxing experience and definitely worth the trip! 

Ashleigh: I always suggest checking out the Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Friday from 9 am til 2 pm. It’s a great way to experience the community, meet local vendors, and try some of the amazing things made right here in Kawartha Lakes. My favourite season to visit is during August - fresh local corn and peaches! 

Thank you for a great summer Tourism Team! - Chantal

It’s been such a fun summer working with the Tourism Ambassadors, and I am so sad to be returning to school as well (Why can’t summer last forever?!)! It’s been a pleasure to work with this team and promote all that Fenelon Falls has to offer over the past couple of months. While it’s sad to see all the leaves beginning to change, it’s just another reason to Explore Fenelon Falls!