Each spring, Grand Bend hosts Art, Eats and Beats, when spectators tour local artists' studios and galleries, and enjoy musical performances at local restaurants. Paint Ontario, an annual art competition, showcases work celebrating the Ontario countryside. The pieces, on display each March, hang in the Lambton Gallery of the Lambton Heritage Museum on Museum Road. A number of artist cooperatives call Grand Bend home, including Sunset Arts and River Road, both of which have galleries on River Road, next to the Grand Bend Art Centre.
The lapping waves of Lake Huron splash onto six beaches in the Grand Bend area. The busiest remains Grand Bend's Main Beach with a splash pad, gazebo and playgrounds. Port Blake Conservation Area Beach, at the junction of Highway 21 and Country Road 83, requires a day pass. Just south of Grand Bend, the Pinery Provincial Park, which also requires a day pass, has nine beaches. One of these beaches, P1 Dog Beach, welcomes pets -- unlike Grand Bend's Main Beach.
Each summer the Huron Country Playhouse performs a handful of different shows on the theater's two stages. Productions have ranged from classics such as "The Sound of Music," to comedies such as, "Sorry... I'm Canadian." Movie lovers pull into Starlite Drive-In on Crediton Road to watch the latest Hollywood offerings. Folks are free to bring friendly pets, and outside food and drink -- except alcohol. Admission is charged per person, excluding children younger than 6 who are admitted for free, and Sunday nights, when admission is charged by the carload.
In addition to two separate buildings full of antiques and collectibles, Dale's Antique Market sells Canadian-made Mennonite furniture. Crafted by 30 different Mennonite families, the pieces range from night stands to office desks. Each Wednesday morning from May through October, local organic farmers gather at the Colonial Hotel parking lot on Main Street to sell their latest bounty. In addition to farmers, coffee companies, bakers and local artisans market their goods. Deal seekers head to Lakeshore Road on Sundays from May through November, for the Pinery Antique Flea Market, which features live music and a beer garden in addition to antiques.
