TurtleFest Tales

Held every Father's Day weekend, TurtleFest is Tillsonburg's largest and most anticipated community festival, drawing visitors from across Ontario to experience the charm and warmth of small-town life at its best.

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The festival takes its inspiration from the story of Tillsonburg's founder, George Tillson, who once vowed to return as a turtle to witness how his town would thrive. Remarkably, a few years after his passing, a giant turtle was spotted on the banks of Otter Creek. In keeping with George's promise, the townspeople brought "George" downtown to see the town's progress for himself.

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Over 130 years later, the spirit of George Tillson lives on through TurtleFest, as the people of Tillsonburg celebrate the town’s steady growth—from its humble beginnings along Otter Creek to the vibrant community it is today.

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Join us each June to be part of this unique tradition, where we come together to honor Tillsonburg’s past, present, and future—and, of course, to have fun!