Listowel, Ontario

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Listowel
other_name =
native_name =
nickname =
settlement_type = Unincorporated community
motto =


imagesize =
image_caption =


flag_size =
image_

seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
blank_emblem_size =


mapsize =
map_caption =


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_

dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x = |dot_y =
pushpin_

pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Ontario
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Perth
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = North Perth
subdivision_type4 =
subdivision_name4 =
government_footnotes =
government_type = Municipalitly of North Perth
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1902
established_title2 = Incorporated (town)
established_date2 = 1998
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_blank1_title =
area_blank1_km2 =
area_blank1_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2006
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total = 12,500
population_density_km2 =
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd=43 |latm=43 |lats=54 |latNS=N
longd=80 |longm=57 |longs=13 |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 382
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 519
blank_name =
blank_info =
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes = Listowel is an unincorporated community in Ontario, Canada located in the municipality of North Perth. It was created in 1998 during the amalgamation of several other communities in the northern section of Perth County, and dissolved with the creation of North Perth. It's population was 5,905 at the Canada 2001 Census.Cite web
url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3531042&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Listowel&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All
title=Listowel, Ontario (Town/Dissolved)
publisher=Statistics Canada
accessdate=2008-06-20]

Listowel is named after the town of Listowel, Ireland. The majority of early settlers were of Protestant Irish origin (Ulster Scots Planters, or English Planters).

The Campbell Soup Company was a major local employer for 48 years, operating a frozen, foodservice and specialty food plant in Listowel. This relationship ended abruptly with the announcement of the factory's pending closure on April 28th, 2008. [ [http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/419242 "Campbell's plant to close, throwing 400 out of work"] ] The surrounding area is mostly agricultural land located on the Perth Plain, dominated by the beef and pork industries.

The region is home to many talented visual artists which are showcased annually as part of the region's Studio Tour. Theatre 311 is a very reputable venue for live theatre drawing on local talent and actors from surrounding cities. [ [http://www.theatre311.com Theatre Three-Eleven] Home-page of local theater] Listowel is also represented in the film industry by Dura Mater Productions [ [http://www.imdb.com/company/co0147504 Dura Mater Productions] ] , an independent film company that has received recognition by film festivals throughout North America and Europe [ [http://www.c-base.org/mailinglists/c-info/2005/Feb-2005/msg00004.html] ] .The Bookery is located across the street from Theatre 311. This Celtic inspired book store stocks over 25,000 books and traditional Celtic, Irish & Scottish Jewellery in Silver. In addition they provide gallery space for local artists to display their work. [ [http://www.ontariobusinessguide.com/listings/bookery.html The Bookery] ] . The town of Listowel has also raised its fair share of talented musicians from many genres such as Thirteen O'Clock [ [http://www.supernova.com/ThirteenOclock Thirteen O"Clock] ] , Krymera [ [http://www.myspace.com/krymeraband] ] , Brian Vollmer (lead singer of Helix) [ [http://www.planethelix.com/MainMenu.htm The Official Site of Helix] ] , Ian Laing [ [http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/IAN-LAING Ian Laing] ] , The Bender singers [ [http://www.lpch.ca/events.cfm?view=day&EventID=106] ] , and Chachi On Acid [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1848459] ] .

Listowel has a large Irish festival, called Paddyfest, which is held over the two weeks surrounding St. Patrick's day. This festival was first started in 1977 from an idea put forth by Dave Murtha to honour the large numbers of persons of Irish ancestry present in the Listowel area. Paddyfest is maintained by the Kinsmen and Kinette clubs of Listowel. The official spokesperson for Paddyfest is chosen yearly in the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition. Contestants must perform a speech, impromptu question and interview with the judges and receive the overall highest score to be awarded this position. A separate award of Talent is given out to the contestant with the highest score in the talent competition. Runner up and Congeniality are also awards which are available. Although the Paddyfest Ambassador Competition changed its name and official status from being Miss Paddyfest when first created, a male has yet to win the title.

Notable Citizens

* Colin Burrowes, film director. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1845022 Colin Burrowes] ]
* Jared Keeso, actor. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1742119 Jared Keeso] ]
* Chris Moon, music producer and record label owner.
* Chuck Tatham, television writer and producer. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0851234 Chuck Tatham] ]
*Cyclone Taylor, former hockey player.
*Pegi Nicol MacLeod, artist.
*Horatio Walker, popular artist in North America at the turn of the 20th century.

Related places

Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ireland

References

External links

* [http://www.paddyfest.ca Paddyfest]
* [http://perthanglican.awardspace.com/listowel.htm Christ Church]
* [http://www.freewebtown.com/listowel/ Listowel, Ontario from its founding to 1902]
* [http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0011213 "The Canadian Encyclopedia": Listowel]