This Month in Lambton - May 2026

The May 2026 edition of This Month in Lambton includes the following news, service updates, programs and events:

• Road work set to begin in Lambton
• Be ready for Tornado season
• Official Plan Review update
• Lambton Heritage Museum brings shipwreck stories to the surface for June 5 PA Day
• Lambton Heritage Museum feature exhibition Bluewaterland now open
• Watch history come to life at Lambton Heritage Museum's Bygone Days Bash on July 4
• Lambton Heritage Museum offers presentation on local shipwrecks on July 16
• Oil Museum of Canada offers Rev It Up! PA day event on June 5
• Go Beyond the Book with Lambton County Archives
• Mini Book Sales
• Full STEAM Ahead Summer Reading Challenge Launch Party
• Tennis kits available to borrow
• Fiero Code Contest submissions open June 1
• PA Day fun at JNAAG
• Teen Photo Contest Workshop: Mini Monochrome Monologues
• Artist Talk with Mark Stebbins
• Guided Tour of Together Apart | Under One Roof
• Last chance to see Making Space: Recent Acquisitions
• Wee Watch celebrates milestone

Road work set to begin in Lambton

Summer means longer days and warmer weather, but it also means road work season is upon us. The County of Lambton’s Road Network includes nearly 650 kilometres of roads and over 190 bridges and major culverts, which are maintained by the Public Works Department.

Current and upcoming work by the Public Works Department on area roads, including impacts to traffic or road closures, can be found by visiting the Construction Projects page of lambtononline.ca.

Planned construction projects for the years 2026 – 2030 can be found in our Roads Construction Program.

Be ready for Tornado season

Tornado season is upon us again.

Often, these damaging storms can form with little-to-no warning, so be prepared.

Know the Difference Between “Watches” and “Warnings”

Environment and Climate Change Canada issues weather watches and warnings, in Canada.

• Tornado Watch: issued when conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms with one or more tornadoes.
• Tornado Warning: issued when a tornado has been reported; or when there is evidence based on radar, or from a reliable spotter that a tornado is imminent.

Pay Attention to Outdoor Conditions

Watch for:

• Thunderstorms that grow steadily worse with heavy rain, extreme thunder, and lightning.
• Large hail
• An extremely dark sky, sometimes highlighted by rotating green or yellow clouds.
• An eerie calm at the end of a severe storm.
• A rumbling sound, like a freight train, or a whistling sound like a jet.
• A "wall of white" coming toward you.

If a Tornado Threatens:

Tornadoes can last minutes or hours with winds speeds ranging from 64 to over 500 km/h. If a tornado strikes:

• Don’t wait until you see the tornado to get inside.
• Once inside, take shelter immediately, preferably in the lowest level of a sturdy building.
• If you don’t have a basement, go to the centre of an interior room.
• Stay away from corners, windows and exterior walls and doors.
• If you can’t get inside, lie flat in a low-lying area such as a ditch and cover your head with your hands.
  • Don’t go under an overpass or a bridge – you’re safer in a low, flat area.

For more information on preparing for severe weather this summer, visit EmergenciesLambton.ca.

Official Plan Review update

Lambton County Council officially adopted population, housing, and employment projections and a land needs assessment at its Wednesday, May 6, 2026 meeting, as a review of the County’s Official Plan continues.

While County staff prepare for Open Houses and Public Meeting dates to obtain community input respecting goals, priorities, needs, and other proposed plan updates, they are also working with NPG Planning Solutions to review the current Official Plan, produce a list of proposed updates, and work with local Municipalities to identify possible changes as informed by the Land Needs Assessment. For more information on the update to the Official Plan, please visit LambtonOnline.ca.

Lambton Heritage Museum brings shipwreck stories to the surface for June 5 PA Day

Discover the mysteries beneath the waves at Lambton Heritage Museum’s PA Day event Shipwreck Secrets on Friday, June 5. See real shipwreck artifacts from our collection, uncover what sent ships to the bottom, and jump into hands-on games and activities that bring the dangers and thrills of life on the water to the surface. Add even more nautical discoveries when you explore the new feature exhibition Bluewaterland. Regular museum admission applies.

Lambton Heritage Museum feature exhibition Bluewaterland now open

Dive into the history of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River in Lambton Heritage Museum’s new feature exhibition Bluewaterland: Dive Into the Depths on now until October 18. Discover the nautical history of our region and explore new perspectives on familiar shorelines with topics like shipwrecks, rumrunners, local captains, and more. Don’t miss the Huron Glow Collection of incredible Lake Huron sunset photos, taken and submitted by members of the community. Learn more at heritagemuseum.ca.

Watch history come to life at Lambton Heritage Museum’s Bygone Days Bash on July 4

Step back in time at the Bygone Days Bash at Lambton Heritage Museum on Saturday, July 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This family-friendly event combines heritage skills and old-fashioned technology with lively demonstrations throughout the day including antique steam-powered farm equipment, hand carving, yarn spinning, and historical sewing and quilting.

The Great Canadian Lumberjack Show will also be here, with talented woodsmen showing off their skills with axes and chainsaws. Grab a bite to eat from the West Coast Lions of Grand Bend’s BBQ and join us in officially opening our new Agricultural Hall, with interactive displays that bring Lambton’s agricultural history to life. Bring the whole family and discover the skills, stories, and traditions of bygone days!

Admission is $4 for adults, $4 for seniors (65+) and students, $3 for children ages 4-12, with children under three free. A family rate of $15 for two adults and up to four school-aged children is available.

Lambton Heritage Museum offers presentation on local shipwrecks on July 16

Join local divers Greg Hilliard and Tim Moran as they examine marine history and highlight local shipwrecks in this Bluewaterland Speaker Series presentation on Thursday, July 16 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. They will discuss their ongoing research exploring mystery ships, including their efforts to identify a wooden hull steamer wreck that was recently discovered near Kettle and Stony Point. This Speaker Series accompanies the nautical history on display in the new feature exhibition Bluewaterland, available until October 18. Regular museum admission applies and registration is required. Secure your seat by registering online at heritagemuseum.ca

Oil Museum of Canada offers Rev It Up! PA Day event on June 5

Start your engines for a fun day exploring the connections between cars and the oil industry at the Oil Museum of Canada’s PA Day event Rev It Up! on Friday, June 5. Between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., drop-in at the museum to discover fascinating facts about the automotive and petroleum industries. Learn how combustion engines work through the museum’s online interactive program, build and race a cardboard car, design your own paper car, and more. Regular admission applies.

Go Beyond the Book with Lambton County Archives

Join a book club that explores beyond the pages with tangible historical artifacts at Beyond the Book with Lambton County Archives. Visit Grand Bend Library on Wednesday, June 10 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. to discuss the novel Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice, a post-apocalyptic tale about a scouting party that must venture into dangerous territory to find a new home for their Indigenous community. Archivist Nicole Aszalos will be reading the book alongside the book club and will enrich the discussion by sharing fascinating, tangible items from the Archives that illuminate the book’s history. Copies of Moon of the Turning Leaves can be borrowed from Lambton County Library. Registration is required. Register at lclibrary.ca.

Mini Book Sales

Select library locations will host Mini Book Sales during town-wide garage sales. Books, DVDs, and audiobooks will be available for purchase for 25 cents per item.

Petrolia Library – Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Arkona Library - Saturday, June 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wyoming Library - Saturday, June 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Alvinston Library - Saturday, June 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Full STEAM Ahead Summer Reading Challenge Launch Party

Saturday, June 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Victoria Park, Petrolia

Enjoy inflatables, a bubble science show, facepainting and glitter tattoos, a fire truck, and more! Admission is free. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at the event and receive a Summer Science kit, available for ages 0-17. Learn more at lcibrary.ca.

Tennis kits available for borrow

Serve up some fun, June is Tennis Month in Canada. Borrow a tennis kit with your Lambton County library card. Adult and junior kits are available to borrow for a seven-day lending period. Reserve yours today at lclibrary.ca.

Fiero Code Contest submissions open June 1

The “Jurassic Code” coding contest is open for submissions from June 1 to July 30. All ages are encouraged to build a digger-style arcade game to submit to the international contest for a chance to win prizes from Fiero Code. Fiero Code is an online learning platform, available free with your Lambton County Library card. Access this free resource and learn how to build websites, video games, phone apps, animations and more. Learn more at lclibrary.ca.

PA Day Fun at JNAAG

Looking for a creative way to spend the PA Day? Head to Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery on Friday, June 5 between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. for a free drop-in cyanotype workshop that blends art, science, and sunshine. Experiment with one of the earliest photographic printing techniques and create striking blue-and-white prints using light and shadow. Perfect for curious minds and creative hands of all ages.

Teen Photo Contest Workshop: Mini Monochrome Monologues

Discover the beauty in the small stuff! Teens are invited to explore texture, detail, light, and contrast in this free hands-on photography workshop on Sunday, June 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Participants will experiment with close-up photography techniques to create dramatic monochrome images and sharpen their creative eye. Register at jnaag.ca

Artist Talk with Mark Stebbins

Join artist Mark Stebbins on Saturday, June 6 at 11:30 a.m. for a free talk about his exhibition The Lingering Instant. Learn how he turns patterns, old fabric designs, and digital images into detailed paintings. Hear about his ideas, inspiration, and creative process. Register at jnaag.ca

Guided Tour of Together Apart | Under One Roof

See art in a new way during a guided tour of Together Apart | Under One Roof on Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. Learn more about the artwork, artists, and ideas behind the exhibition with help from knowledgeable guides. Register at jnaag.ca

Last Chance to See Making Space: Recent Acquisitions

There’s still time to visit Making Space: Recent Acquisitions before it closes on July 12. The exhibition features new artwork added to the Gallery’s collection, including pieces by Indigenous artists, local artists, and important Canadian creators. These works help tell many different stories and celebrate a wide range of voices and experiences.

Wee Watch celebrates milestone

Wee Watch Licensed Home Child Care in Sarnia-Lambton celebrated its milestone 20th anniversary as part of the broader Ontario agency, having established itself as a staple of early childhood education in the region.

To learn more about their programs, enroll your child in the area, or apply to become a childcare provider, you can visit the Wee Watch Sarnia page. The local agency serves Sarnia, Petrolia, Forest, Corunna, and surrounding areas, and offers access to reduced childcare rates through the Canada-wide Early Learning and Childcare Plan.

Looking Ahead

9:00 a.m., June 3 - Lambton County Council Meeting
9:00 a.m., June 17 - Committee of the Whole

Agendas and minutes for Committee and Council meetings are available on the online Meeting Calendar.

Open Sessions of Lambton County Council and Committee meetings are streamed live and are available for archival viewing by clicking on the links below.

Council & Committee Agendas, Minutes & Livestreams Upcoming Meeting Livestreams

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