Our Mission: Great Events for a Great Cause - Support local food security
Sensational Elora is an incorporated not-for-profit with a simple belief: when people come together for memorable experiences, amazing things happen. We create fun, welcoming, sense-awakening events – and we turn that energy into support for local food security.
Throughout the year, our award-winning festival showcases the best of historic Elora and the surrounding area – its music, art, drama, film, food, natural beauty and remarkable architecture.
Our signature lineup includes Fabulous Fergus Pub Night, Pumpkin Day, Sensational Sounds and the beloved Sensational Soup Off and Empty Bowls. We also bring October to life with crowd-pleasers like the Tim Murton Twilight Zoo of Monsters, The Awakening and the Monster March – cornerstones of the region’s famous Monster Month.
We are passionate about collaboration. By partnering with local restaurants, caterers, growers, retailers, artists, performers and community groups, we create events that highlight everything that Centre Wellington has to offer.
As of 2025, we are proud to say that we’ve raised over $200,000 for the Centre Wellington Food Bank and the Centre Wellington District High School Eats Program, proving that great events really can make a great impact.
Our History:
Events To Entice The Senses
Sensational Elora is the brainchild of an amazing woman: Rhoda Lipton, whose passion for the arts and the community brought the Festival into being as a two week-long fall Festival. Sadly, we lost Rhoda in June of 2012.
In 2012, Kirk McElwain took on the role of Chair for Sensational Elora. The organization needed a new strategic plan and focus on financial and compliance issues. The successful efforts to right the ship meant Sensational Elora could continue to offer events across Centre Wellington and raise awareness and funds to combat food insecurity.
In 2017, Sensational Elora purchased the “Twilight Zoo” of monsters from the artist Tim Murton and assumed responsibility for storage, repair and the annual installation of mor than 140 wire sculpture “monsters”. A Monster Month committee led by Sensational Elora with representation from community businesses and partners, work together to schedule spooky events for the annual Monster Month.
For more information on Monster Month visit: https://www.monstermonth.ca
