Essa
Around Essa
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Town and around · Ontario · 22k people
Essa
Locals say Simcoe County
Home to friendly faces and endless fields.
Forest GreenDeep Blue
Welcome to Essa, where the maple syrup flows and the country roads lead to adventure. Whether you're here for the sugar bush or the peace and quiet, you'll find a warm community ready to share its stories.
Clubs for Essa
No clubs for Essa yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Essa. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Essa. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Simcoe County Museum Local history and heritage buildings
- Essa Bog Conservation Area Wetland trail and birdwatching
- CFB Borden Military Museum Military history at the base
- Outdoors Hiking in Simcoe County Forest
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Essa Bog
- With kids Visiting sugar shacks in spring
- With kids Pick-your-own farms
- Evenings Local hockey games
- Evenings Community dances at the legion
- Locals love Sugar shacks
- Locals love Farmer's markets
Through the year
Essa has four distinct seasons: cold, snowy winters; warm, humid summers; and pleasant springs and falls. Best: Summer and early fall are ideal for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “The base”
- The local military base (CFB Borden)
- “Sugar bush”
- A maple grove tapped for syrup
- “The Nott”
- The Nottawasaga River
Getaways
- Barrie Lakeside city with waterfront and Kempenfest
- Wasaga Beach World's longest freshwater beach
- Collingwood Skiing and scenic harbour
- Midland Historic town on Georgian Bay
Local flavour
Rooting for Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC, Toronto Argonauts, Barrie Colts
Eat and drink
- Maple syrup Ontario is a major producer, and sugar shacks are a regional tradition.
- Farm-fresh produce Local farms supply seasonal vegetables and fruits.
Where people go
- Sugar shacks Seasonal maple syrup producers, a hallmark of rural Ontario.
- Farmer's markets Local gathering spots for fresh produce and handmade goods.
- Provincial parks Nearby parks like Wasaga Beach and Earl Rowe offer outdoor recreation.
- Beaches Georgian Bay beaches, especially Wasaga Beach, are a short drive away.
Heritage and traditions
Essa is proud of its rural charm, strong military heritage at CFB Borden, and tight-knit communities like Angus, where farming traditions meet modern life.
This time of year in Essa
- Apple picking Fall Orchards welcome families for pick-your-own apples and fresh cider.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — A soft drink, especially carbonated beverages.
Festivals
- Angus Applefest September Celebrates the local apple harvest with a parade, craft vendors, and apple treats.
- Winterfest February A family-friendly winter festival with ice skating, snowshoeing, and hot chocolate.
- Canada Day at CFB Borden July 1 The base hosts a public celebration with fireworks and military demonstrations.
Landmarks with a story
- CFB Borden Military Museum Showcases the history of the base and Canadian military training, with exhibits on both World Wars.
- Essa Bog Conservation Area A provincially significant wetland with boardwalks and birdwatching, preserving a unique ecosystem.
- Simcoe County Museum Displays artifacts and exhibits on the region's pioneer and military past.
Food traditions
- Maple syrup season Local sugar bushes tap trees in early spring, producing syrup enjoyed at pancake breakfasts and sugar shack visits.
- Apple picking Orchards around Angus offer pick-your-own apples in autumn, perfect for pies and fresh cider.
- Farm-fresh produce Roadside stands sell seasonal vegetables and fruits from nearby farms, a staple of local eating.
- Fish fries Fresh catches from the Nottawasaga River are fried up at community events and church suppers.
A little history
- 1916 Camp Borden established as a military training base during World War I.
- 19th century European settlers established farming communities, including the village of Angus.
- 1950s The base expanded during the Cold War, bringing significant growth and development to the area.
- 1990s The township of Essa was formed through amalgamation of former municipalities.
- Game day Minor hockey
- Game day Baseball in the summer
- Outdoors Hiking in the Simcoe County Forest
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Essa Bog
- With kids Visiting sugar shacks in spring
- With kids Pick-your-own farms
Residents speak Canadian English with a rural Ontario flavour, often ending sentences with 'eh' and using 'pop' for soda. The local accent is subtle, but place names like 'Angus' are pronounced distinctly.
Only here
- CFB Borden is one of Canada's largest military training bases.
- The Essa Bog is a rare wetland ecosystem with carnivorous plants.
- The Angus Applefest has been a local tradition for decades.
- The Nottawasaga River is a popular spot for salmon fishing in the fall.
New here? A few tips
- Winter can be harsh; invest in a good snow shovel and warm boots.
- CFB Borden is a major employer, so many residents work on the base.
- Try local maple syrup and apple cider from roadside stands.
- Get involved in community events like the Applefest to meet neighbours.
- The area is rural, so a car is essential for getting around.
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Nearby
Every areaBarrieOntarioThe Bay City: a city that hugs the bayWasaga BeachOntarioWhere the sand meets the sky and summer never ends.Simcoe CountyOntarioWhere the bay meets the countryside.Dufferin CountyOntarioRolling hills, maple gold, and a place to call home.CollingwoodOntarioWhere the escarpment meets the bay.MidlandOntarioWhere the bay meets the shieldOrilliaOntarioLakeside charm and sunshine days.TorontoOntarioA world within a city, where every culture finds a home.
Essa. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.