 Many of us love to travel far and wide, exploring new places and thrilling at new experiences. There is value in that type of exploration and learning about different people & places. The flip side is when we spend our energy on this form of travel, we can be too drained or without the time to explore places closer to home.
In the new world we find ourselves in, exploring close to home reaps many many rewards!
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 Public art has the power to enrich communities, create captivating spaces, challenge our ideas, provoke discussion or simply add beauty to our day. The “Track to the Future” Mural Project provides an opportunity for artists to create works of art within the downtown of the City of St. Thomas. We are seeking submissions from a variety of artists, with diverse experiences, backgrounds, styles and techniques that reflect our values of creativity, inclusiveness and beauty.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Expressions of interest to submit and create an original design for a mural on the side of the building at 633 Talbot Street and/or 803 Talbot Street. The designated theme for 633 Talbot is “apothecary” and for 803 Talbot "multicultural food". Designs for the mural should be original and modern while also respecting the history of both buildings. Artists applying to this project are encouraged to consider the context of the local area and the city as a whole. See the documents below for further information on how to apply. 
Just because we can’t travel or get out and explore in the same way right now, doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves to an isolation-staycation! Check out our Local Music Love guide below and follow our blog series as we highlight activities and things you can do from your living room or that are safe to do outside that help support our local businesses, musicians, artists, museums and more.
DISCOVER MUSICAL HERITAGE
To start, we wanted to draw your attention to an amazing hidden gem music venue in St. Thomas - the Princess Avenue Playhouse. Due to Covid, they've had to cancel upcoming shows, but we are looking forward to the time when we can head back and enjoy acts like Joel Plaskett, Sloan, and the Mudmen!
Follow the Elgin Theatre Guild to stay tuned for when performances will return. FOLLOW LOCAL MUSICIANS
Follow the links to find some local musicians who are sharing live music! We can watch from our living rooms and support local at the same time.
MORE WAYS TO LOVE LOCAL!
There are some excellent local businesses and organizations that support the musical arts here in St. Thomas, and even during our Covid times, continue to do so:
THE STUCK AT HOME SONG
Our current Covid-times have allowed some musicians to embrace the circumstances and create some isolation inspired tunes! Check out this number from Dennis Kalichuk!
All activities ideas are suggestions you can do while staying safe during Covid-19. Please practice physical distancing of 2 metres and use common sense when out and about. If you are feeling unwell please stay home
 Just because we can’t travel or get out and explore right now, doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves to an isolation-staycation! Check out our Local Nature Love guide below and follow our blog series as we highlight activities and things you can do from your living room or that are safe to do outside that help support our local businesses, musicians, artists, museums and more. DISCOVER TRAILS Walking along the St. Thomas trails at Waterworks Park. Follow the trail networks and weave your way through St. Thomas! For a more rustic experience, head over to Dalewood Conservation Area and try out their reservoir loop trail. Or why not step onto The Great Trail and cross over the St. Thomas Elevated Park for some spectacular views? USEFUL RESOURCE Kettle Creek Conservation Authority Guide to Hiking during Covid-19 LEARN Wild ferns along the Elgin Hiking Trail Follow along with TimberNook Elgin as they youthfully explore our regional forests. TimberNook is an outdoor enrichment program that integrates free play, imagination and nature for all children. Even though their programs are on hold, you can follow along with some fun videos! ACTIVITY IDEA Serenity in the City at the forest by Lake Margaret and Pinafore. Ever heard of Forest Bathing? Forest bathing is not just for the wilderness-lover; anyone can participate! The idea is that when humans spend time in a natural setting, especially under the canopy of a forest, they experience rejuvenating benefits to the mind, body and spirit. So how do you do it? Follow a trail into the forest. Once you are completely surrounded by nature stop, close your eyes, and engage your senses. Notice the smell of the earth, the sound of the birds, and the air moving across your skin. As little as 5 minutes is all it takes to feel rejuvenated! Read more about Forest Bathing from Ontario Parks here. All activities ideas are suggestions you can do while staying safe during Covid-19. Please practice physical distancing of 2 metres and use common sense when out and about. If you are feeling unwell please stay home.
 Just because we can’t travel or get out and explore right now, doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves to an isolation-staycation! Check out our Local Arts Love guide below and follow our blog series as we highlight activities and things you can do from your living room that help support our local businesses, musicians, artists, museums and more. DISCOVER Follow along with the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre as they tour their collection, offer online tutorials and showcase art within the community! LEARN Romantic Designs Artist Studio is offering free painting tutorials on their YouTube page. Follow along and try something new! Also be sure to follow them on Facebook where they are showcasing how they are helping our community by making face masks.
ACTIVITY Find boxcar murals at the Elgin County Railway Museum Looking to get out and about safely and do a little exploring? Why not go on a mural hunt! There are historic murals downtown, contemporary murals on boxcars, and more! Next time you go for a walk or take a drive, why not see how many you can find? All activities ideas are suggestions you can do while staying safe during Covid-19. Please practice physical distancing of 2 metres and use common sense when out and about. If you are feeling unwell please stay home.
 Just because we can’t travel or get out and explore right now, doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves to an isolation-staycation! Check out our Local Food Love guide below and follow our blog series as we highlight activities and things you can do from your living room that helps support our local businesses, musicians, artists, museums and more. DISCOVER Follow along with Relish as they share some local food love and host events throughout the year featuring farm-to-table foodie fun! LEARN Streamliners Espresso Bar has some great tutorials on how to brew the best coffee from home! Some good news for those waiting on the perfect cuppa - they are open to serve us again safely as of May 1. LOCAL DRINK DELIVERY Get local beer and wine delivered right to your door! Follow the links below and be on your way: ACTIVITY Now is a great time to get out and forage! If this is something you'd like to learn more about, check out this handy list from the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance to get you started. ...psst! For all the food places still open and offering delivery/pickup/takeout check our Local Love page here.
All activities ideas are suggestions you can do while staying safe during Covid-19. Please practice physical distancing of 2 metres and use common sense when out and about. If you are feeling unwell please stay home.
 Just because we can’t travel or get out and explore right now, doesn’t mean we can’t treat ourselves to an isolation-staycation! Check out our Local History Love guide below and follow our blog series as we highlight activities and things you can do from your living room that help support our local businesses, musicians, artists, museums and more. DISCOVER Follow along with the Elgin County Railway Museum as they explore their collection and provide some family friendly activity ideas on Instagram. LOVE OUR LOCAL SHOPS
ACTIVITY IDEA With Spring blooming around us, it's a great time to get out and explore some heritage neighbourhoods. Check out the Courthouse Neighbourhood and Kettle Creek Village, both have self-guided walking tours for you to learn a little history on the way! All activities ideas are suggestions you can do while staying safe during Covid-19. Please practice physical distancing of 2 metres and use common sense when out and about. If you are feeling unwell, please stay home.
#YQSstrong
weekly photo contest
Help us celebrate! Share or submit a photo of your favourite restaurant, a picturesque view, your favourite local art, a pint of craft beer, even a photo of something positive you're doing during isolation - anything and everything you love about YQS!
Share your pictures with us - just post a picture using #YQSstrong or use our form below. It will get added to our photo gallery - and also gives you the chance to win! Every Friday we will randomly pick a #YQSstrong winning photo and share it on social media. PLUS we will be giving the person who took that picture + on other other random entry a $25 gift certificate to a local St. Thomas business. That's 2 chances to win EVERY WEEK! And you can enter as MANY times as you like! THE RULES
Two random winners selected per week and announced on Railway City Tourism's social media with one photo selected to be featured on our social media the following Friday. Chances of winning depends on number of entries received. We'll keep this campaign going until May 4th, 2020, and potentially longer depending on number of entries. #YQSSTRONG BINGO
We’re excited to share this #YQSstrong BINGO card with you! If you're looking for fun activities to participate in over the upcoming weeks, or different ways to help support our local businesses, download a copy of the card and start today!
For those who complete a row of BINGO, contact us at tourism@stthomas.ca and tell us what you completed on your card! All those who complete a row or any other BINGO configuration will be eligible for entry to a prize draw valued at $100! Random draw May 29 2020 and winner notified via email. 
LET'S LOVE LOCAL
We have some incredible businesses run by some incredible people here in St. Thomas. Let's show them some love during these trying times and support them as they work hard to get themselves ready to navigate these current circumstances.
Follow the button to find a list of businesses that are currently operating either with delivery or takeout options.
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
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