London Ontario:
Modern Meets Old World
by Carrie Miner
 Start packing your bags. Wine tastings, balloon festivals and London Ontario’s biggest air show makes this Southwestern Canadian jewel worth a visit.
If the fresh air of Spring leaves you a yearning to venture off to parts unknown, consider heading north, to one of the most elegant, modern cities in Canada, London Ontario.
Although it was first settled in 1793 as the intended capital of the Ontario province, London today is a bustling, thoroughly modern city that offers visitors a range of activities from historic to whimsical, with plenty of fun thrown in for good measure.
And this time of year, London finds itself home to two major events in the aviation world, the London International Airfest from June 24 - 26, and the second annual DiamondFest, a pilgrimage for owners of Diamond Aircraft.
What's more, London serves as the perfect home base for day-trips or weekend excursions to some of the many picturesque, lake-side villages and islands that are within a short drive or few minutes flight time.
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Day-Tripping, London Style
Although London’s architecture is modern, it maintains deep historic roots through attractions and museums designed to bring today’s visitors closer to the region’s past.
The Dragon’s Lair International Jousting Tournament, held in early June (knightsofvalour.ca) is an opportunity for enthusiasts of jousting and medieval times to see actual combat in one of Europe’s oldest blood sports.
More than 8,000 visitors flock to London each year for this event, which includes fencing and armor demonstrations, music, food and dance from medieval times.
More modern attractions include the Secrets of Radar Museum (secretsofradar.com), which provides historic perspective on the Canadian military’s role in developing and deploying offensive radar in Europe during World War II. This fascinating window on the past will be of interest to every aviation enthusiast and history buff because it explores ways early developments in radar technology helped pilots locate and destroy targets deep within Nazi Germany.
Dining in London is an experience not to be missed.
Blue Ginger (blueginger.on.ca) on Richmond Street offers grill-inspired fine dining with an Asian infusion. House specialities include a truffled artichoke, lobster, and Shrimp galette as an appetizer course, followed by Australian rack of lamb or Supreme of Chicken, which is chicken breast stuffed with Asiago and spinach on a savory buckwheat, corn and chive waffle, with a roasted shallot reduction.
Chauncy Smith’s (chauncysmiths.com), on King Street, is a perennial local favorite, offering succulent steaks and seafood in a warm, friendly atmosphere. Choice appetizers include baked brie wrapped in phyllo with raspberry coulis, or escargot with mushroom caps and herbed garlic butter. Entrée favorites include Perth County pork tenderloin with a red wine reduction, or one of several steaks cut from 28-day aged, Sterling Silver Alberta Beef.
 Historic Beginnings
London was first settled at a fork in the Thames River with the intent that it would become the capital of the Ontario province. Unfortunately, Toronto was declared capital of the province, and London remained a small settlement until 1826, when a county court house was built there to serve the London district, which makes up the bulk of Western Ontario.
The city grew slowly in the ensuing years, with many of its major downtown buildings being erected during the depression as work projects to bolster the local economy. In the mid-1970s, much of the downtown area began being rebuilt with modern skyscrapers and high-tech buildings that today give London its stunningly-modern feel.
Because of its close proximity to the northeast and mid-west cities of the United States, London is an ideal get-away for pilots from Vermont to Chicago, and it is less than a day’s flying from cities as far south as Florida.
The London airport, CYXU, is an airport of entry, so Canadian customs is available on-site. You will need to file an ICAO flight plan to enter Canada from the United States, and you will need your passport to enter the country.
Once in the city, you can travel pretty much anywhere in the downtown area either on foot or by bus. An extremely well-connected bus system provides trouble-free transportation, and taxis are plentiful. To explore some of the more remote destinations in the outlying areas, you’ll need to rent a car.
 Wine Is For Grapes
London is geographically along almost the same north-south latitude as the wine regions of northern California. This location, plus its good, clay soil and proximity to the lake, make it an ideal atmosphere for growing grapes and making wine.
London itself is home to Bellamere farm, a produce farm that in 1998 was converted into a winery, making a variety of delicious fruit and ice wines from locally-grown raspberries, strawberries, apples, pears, blackberries, cranberries, and blueberries. These fruity wines are a unique pleasure, and should not be missed.
For more traditional varieties of white and red wines, visit the Pelee Island winery. The vineyards on Pelee Island encompass more than 500 acres of land, much of it in the center of the island. Since the island itself is concave, with the center lower than not only its shores but also the lake itself, excessive moisture from heavy rains must be carried off through drainage pipes beneath each vineyard, feeding into a century-old dyke system carved in the shape of a tic-tac-toe board.
In the event of a drought, the dyke system can be reversed to pump water from Lake Erie back in through the drainage pipes and consequently into the vineyards.
High winds blowing off the lake ensure proper air flow consistently blows through the vineyards to limit humidity and possible fungus damage.
The result is a crop of consistently high-quality whites and reds and continue to win international awards year after year.
Other local attractions of a beverage nature include the famous Labatt’s Brewery, founded in London in 1847 by Irishman John Kinder Labatt.
Labatt’s beer-making skills were exceptional and he quickly became one of the most successful brewers in Ontario.
When the railroads arrived in London during the 1850s, Labatta saw his future, shipping beer to an every-increasing market in Canada and the United States via the newly-opened rail lines.
Pelee Island Refuge
Pelee Island is the middle Island of an archipelago in western Lake Erie, just on the Canadian side of the country’s border with the United States.
In addition to its vineyards, the 10,000-acre island offers farms, beaches, parks, and forest.
Pelee Island is the southern-most point in Canada, and geologists believe that at one point, the island was actually part of a natural causeway between what is now the United States and Canada.
When the glaciers melted, creating Lake Erie, plant and animal species on these small uplands became isolated from their neighbors on the mainland, allowing them to grown and evolve in ways that are unique to the island.
This isolation makes Pelee Island and the Canadian nature preserve ideal spot from which to study the many species of migratory birds and butterflies pass through the region each year.
The Island is also home to a museum that documents the many ship wrecks claimed by Lake Erie’s shallow waters.
There is even a display dedicated to Al Capone, who used Pelee Island as a shipping point to bring illegal liquor into the United States during prohibition.
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Lake Huron, the Other Lake
Despite their proximity to Lake Erie, Londoners consider Lake Huron to be a local point of interest. Known for its breathtaking sunsets that can be viewed from numerous restaurants, hotels and bed-and-breakfast establishments, this area is Ontario’s “west coast.”
Don’t miss spending a night at the Little Inn of Bayfield, nestled between the Bayfield River and Lake Huron. This special, intimate resort offers 39 intimate rooms in the main hotel and 10 cottages. There is also a full spa on site that offers a variety of facial, body
and nail treatments designed to soothe your senses as well as your soul.
To get a more intimate view of the lake, head north to Bruce Peninsula, which cuts across Lake Huron and offers an exciting mix of rustic accommodations, wilderness, and beach-front recreation. Pilots can fly from London to the 3,200-foot strip at Tobermory Airport, nearly at the end of the Peninsula.
Once there, visitors can walk the famous Bruce Trail, a 20-kilometer stretch of cliff above the Georgian bay. The eastern side of the peninsula features sharp, rocky cliffs with ancient cedar trees stubbornly clinking to the craggy rock face. Despite the harsh environment, these trees are some of the oldest in eastern North America, with some dating back more than 1,000 years.
The Lake Huron side of the park is a stark contrast in geography, with a gradually sloping shore leading down to sandy beaches that are perfect for wading or swimming.
The beaches provide refuge for several fragile dune and wetland habitats that are important refuges for plant life.
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London International
Airfest
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The 75th Annual London International AirFest, held June 24 - 26 at the London, is a three-day fly-in dedicated to the display of military and aerobatic aircraft.
Each year, an estimated 80,000 attendees converge on the London Ontario Airport to view hours of aerobatic fly-bys and displays. All of the aircraft flown in the show are available for viewing and picture-taking before and after their flights.
The airshow also features a carnival midway, with rides and amusements for children of all ages. Children in grades eight and lower get in free on kid’s day, which is Friday, June 25.
The show kicks off Friday night with the Hour of Power, a display of airborne military might, when jet after jet takes to the sky for stunning displays of military prowess. The evening is capped off with a display by the Canadian Snowbird aerobatic team, which was formed in 1971 at CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Snowbird team consists of nine
CT-114 Tutor aircraft, including two solo aircraft Nos. 8 and 9, and it claims to be the only military aerobatic team in the world that operates without support aircraft.
Tickets for the air show are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Seniors and children ages 6 through 15 are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. Visit londonairshow.com.
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No trip to London would be complete without a visit to the Diamond Aircraft factory, which is hosting the second-annual Diamond Fest owner fly-in June 23 - 25.
The event features tech seminars and other educational sessions for owners of Diamond Aircraft, as well as factory tours, aircraft demonstrations and other exciting, owner events.
The Diamond Fest is timed to coincide with the London Air Show, and on Saturday, Diamond Fest participants can enjoy VIP seating at the Katana Kafe, for complimentary hors d'oeuvres and drinks while watching the airshow in unparalleled comfort.
Diamond Fest is an opportunity for owner and position holders of Diamond's Aircraft to meet and discuss issues affecting their airplanes. The schedule will include numerous networking opportunities, as well as chances for owners to gain new insight into projects and technologies the company is exploring.
Visitors will also be able to tour the Diamond delivery center, where new owners are introduced to their airplanes for the first time. Visit londonairshow.com.
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