5 Things You Need To Know For October 9, 2026

October 9, 2026 5:55 am Published by Chris McLeod

_{October 9th is the 282nd day of the year. There are 83 days remaining until the end of the year.}

Monday is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.

Always on the second Monday in October, celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.

But why is the Canadian Thanksgiving in October, and not in November like the U.S.?

Canadians had many different Thanksgiving celebrations before the official date was chosen by Parliament in 1957. Before any newcomers came to the land, the First Nations celebrated their crops.

The Canadian history of Thanksgiving has nothing to do with pilgrims and the Mayflower as does American Thanksgiving. Both holidays, however, are generally seen as an opportunity to give thanks for what’s good in our lives, celebrate nature’s bounty, and enjoy a big meal with family and friends.

Grab some skates and get the family out for some FREE Public Skating this weekend.

Friday, October 9th
Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Chatham Erickson Arena Public Skating, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 10th
Bothwell Arena Public Skating, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Blenheim Arena Public Skating, 7:30 – 9 p.m.

Sunday, October 11th
Chatham Memorial Arena, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Ridgetown Arena, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Thames Campus Arena, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Tilbury Arena, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Wallaceburg Memorial Arena, 1:30 – 3 p.m.
Wheatley Arena, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Monday, October 12th
Wheatley Arena, 1 – 2 p.m.

Click here for more information on the ice skating programs.

The last weekend for a couple of farmers markets in C-K this season.

The Wallaceburg Farmers Market is open 8 a.m.-noon in the municipal parking lot on James St.

Ridgetown’s Farmers Market is Saturday 8-noon. The market is held on Main St.

The 176th Brigden Fair opens today and runs until Monday with a midway, entertainment, livestock shows, home craft competitions, exhibits, food and more.

50,000 people are expected through the gates over the four days.

Admission is $10 for adults and free for children in elementary school. Parking is free on the fairgrounds.

The complete fair program can be found online at BrigdenFair.ca.

A 61-year-old Alberta grandmother is the planking queen – again.

DonnaJean Wilde has broken her own women’s world record by holding a plank for five hours at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah. Her previous record was four hours, 30 minutes and 11 seconds, set in 2024.

Wilde is a former teacher and vice-principal, started planking more than a decade ago after a wrist injury prevented her from running and lifting weights. She eventually turned it into a daily habit, sometimes planking for hours while reading or working.