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Rural Ontario set to touch the future with SWERVE event this weekend

Updated: Sep 7, 2022

Free public festival at Southampton Coliseum from September 9 to 11

The robots are being charged and electric vehicles detailed, while a surprisingly local hologram gets its final touch-ups. This weekend, the first-ever SWERVE festival opens its doors, giving visitors a hands-on feel for how we will live and work in the future.


Created by the Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) and free for all ages, SWERVE will take place over three days at the Southampton Coliseum in Saugeen Shores, Ontario: Friday, September 9 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Saturday, September 10 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; and Sunday, September 11 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.


Among the attractions:

  • Virtual reality experiences that take guests from the International Space Station or the rings of a Cirque du Soleil show to a deep mine shaft or the helm of a tanker ship

  • Advanced 3D printing demonstrations

  • Robots that are changing the way we build, work and have fun—coming to the event from YouTube, clean energy leaders, and the company behind the Canadarm

  • Electric vehicle test drives and a look under the hood of the all-new electric F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E

  • Two esports tournaments—visit NII’s website to register

  • A chance to see clean energy at work: pedal a bike to make hydrogen, see how pumped storage works, and put on a magnetic suit to become a medical isotope superhero

  • The NII ExploreZone featuring STEM challenges, a makerspace, hands-on library exhibit, and other immersive experiences for kids

NII’s sincerest appreciation goes to the major sponsors of SWERVE—for believing in the vision of this event and helping deliver unique STEM opportunities to Bruce, Grey and Huron counties: Bruce Power, BWXT Canada, Cameco, E.S. Fox, Kinectrics, SNC-Lavalin, Power Workers Union, and the Government of Ontario through the Reconnect Ontario 2022 Grant.

“We are pleased to support the first-ever SWERVE event through the Reconnect Ontario program,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron – Bruce. “This type of initiative in rural Ontario encourages visitors to explore our region while also showcasing the technologies and opportunities that will be key drivers in the future of Huron and Bruce counties.”


And a thank you to other SWERVE event sponsors and supporters: General Fusion, NWMO Canada, Nuvia Canada, Scotiabank, TC Energy, and Westinghouse Electric Canada.


“NII sees part of our role as helping people come to grips with some of the technological change that our world is going through,” said Bruce Wallace, NII President and CEO. “Together with our sponsors and partners, we consider it vital that people of all ages, wherever they are, have an opportunity to experience these emerging technologies.”


NII would like to recognize all of its SWERVE exhibit, volunteer and event partners for helping bring this exciting weekend to life:

  • Bruce County Museum & Archives

  • Bruce County Public Library

  • Bruce Power Pensioners’ Association

  • Darryl Croft, Electric Vehicle Network

  • Dave’s Armoury

  • Georgian College

  • Kelly Kraus

  • MacLean Engineering

  • MDA Canada

  • Mitchell Cycle

  • Mosaic Manufacturing

  • NORCAT

  • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

  • Peninsula Ford

  • Plug’n Drive

  • ReDeTec Inc.

  • Rogers Communications

  • Saugeen Ojibway Nation

  • Saugeen Shores Rotary Club

  • Southampton Arts Centre

  • St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Southampton

  • Town of Saugeen Shores

Follow along at nii.ca/swerve, on Instagram @NIIExplore and Facebook @OntarioNII.

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