About Amaranth

A unique and diverse community where peace, plenty and progress flourish

Located in the Headwaters of Canada's Heritage River, the Grand River, within the County of Dufferin, the land area defined as the Corporation of the Township of Amaranth is occupied by a diversity of landscape features, rivers, wetlands, wildlife and, most importantly, residents with a strong pride in the sustainability of their community.

The Township is a cosmopolitan of neighbourhoods and hamlets, like Laurel and Waldemar, nestled amongst a strong and vibrant agricultural community, surrounded by the towns of Orangeville, Grand Valley and Shelburne.  Also within commuting distance of large urban centres, such as Toronto, Brampton, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Alliston, Barrie and Collingwood, Amaranth offers enjoyment year-round.

Amaranth Flag

The Township unveiled its first flag in 2008, after holding a contest to find a suitable design.  "We're hoping that we'll start to see them flying all over the municipality soon," says Coun. Jane Aultman.  "I think it's kind of neat that we have one."  While working on promotional efforts, the township's economic development and sustainability advisory committee discovered there had never been a municipal flag.  So last fall it launched a contest to design one.  No criteria were provided -- the only stipulation was it had to come from the imagination of township residents.  Twenty-one submissions were received, Aultman says.

Red, Gold and White

The chosen design incorporates municipal colours and symbols of local significance.  "It's all based on environment," explains contest winner Teresa Brownell, who lived in Amaranth at the time.  She explains a red panel represents the highbush cranberry, which is native to the area, a yellow/gold panel is symbolic of agriculture, and a white panel stands for snow -- "It's not Amaranth without snow," she says.
The flag also features a triskelion -- "It's a modern twist on the Trillium, another plant that grows abundantly in Amaranth." -- and the municipal crest.  Oval shapes within the triskelion represent a coming together of the community.  The triskelion itself is depictive of progress, Brownell adds. "It's pretty amazing," she says of having her design chosen.  "It's a nice feeling to see your ideas come to life and out in the public."  "All of the submissions were very focussed on what Amaranth meant to the individual who submitted," notes Aultman. "Teresa's was chosen for the symbolism and the simplicity -- it wasn't too busy for a flag."

Flags are available to purchase for $25 from the Amaranth municipal office.  

International Plowing Match & Rural Expo 2023

Did you know that Amaranth was the host of the match in 2023? 

Media Release - October 2023

Council and Staff of the Township of Amaranth would like to thank the local committees and hundreds of volunteers on the success of the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo 2023.  The event celebrated the essence of farming and agricultural life and showcased the resilience of rural traditions and community spirit, leaving a memorable and impactful experience for those fortunate to have attended.

The Township of Amaranth was proud to have partnered with the Town of Grand Valley in hosting this fantastic event. It was amazing to see this event progress over months of hard work from the local committees and volunteers.

Amaranth Exhibitor Volunteer “I enjoyed reconnecting with Amaranth Council and Township Staff, and meeting members from the Public Works Department, it was a wonderful experience”

The event had amazing weather over the course of the five days and welcomed over 68,000 visitors.

The Township extends best wishes to Kawartha Lakes on hosting next years event. 

https://www.facebook.com/IPM2023 

Land Acknowledgement 

We would like to respectfully acknowledge that the Township of Amaranth resides within the traditional territory and ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples. We also acknowledge that various lands within the Township of Amaranth reside within the treaty lands named under the Haldimand Deed of 1784 and one of the Williams Treaties of 1818: Treaty 18: the Nottawasaga Purchase. These traditional territories upon which we live and learn, are steeped in rich Indigenous history and traditions. It is with this statement that we declare to honour and respect the past and present connection of Indigenous peoples with this land, its waterways and resources.