Epic: Peterborough Lift Lock Will Be Attempting To Fit 300 Canoes & Kayaks Into Their Chambers At Once

Last June, 138 canoes and kayaks filled one of the Lift Lock Chambers as part of part of Lock 'n Paddle Day at the Lift Lock (aka Lock 21) in Peterborough for National Canoe Day celebrations. That broke the previous record of 101 set in 2007.

Well if you thought that was epic, then Trent-Severn Waterway's Manager of Operations Chad Buchner says wait until you see what they have planned for this year's Lock N' Paddle. Buchner tells PTBOCanada they are not only going to fill the west chamber again this year but also the east chamber—both tubs!

2016 Lock 'N Paddle

So yes, on Saturday, June 24th this summer—as part of 150 Canada celebrations—the goal is for 300 paddlecraft to fit into the chambers at one time. It will be like a jigsaw puzzle to fit them all in but Buchner and the Trent-Severn team think they can do it.

2016 Lock N' Paddle

"We are going to try and squeeze 150 paddlecraft in each of the two chambers," Buchner tells PTBOCanada, which is fitting since Canada is turning 150.

Buchner says he hopes this will turn into a huge community event with hundreds of spectators lining Lock 21 to watch the Chambers fill up, and documenting the day on social media to share across Canada and beyond.

Manager of Operations Chad Buchner

More details are coming soon on the big day and how to be involved, so make sure to save that date—June 24th—and follow Trent-Severn Waterway on Twitter and Facebook as buzz builds for this amazing community event.

Learn more about the Lift Lock's amazing history here.

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Search & Rescue Team From CFB Trenton Lands In Farmer's Field To Pick Up Food From Muddy's Pit BBQ

It was one of those amazing Canadian moments when a Search and Rescue Team out of Canadian Forces Base Trenton landed in a farmer's field on Thursday (April 13th) so they could grab food from Muddy's Pit BBQ near Peterborough.

Picture via @MuddysPitBBQ

The helicopter landed with permission next to Muddy's—which just re-opened for the season—in Keene so they could enjoy some authentic Southern style food (Muddy's specializes in ribs, brisket and pulled pork).

Here's the crew outside Muddy's...

Picture via @MuddysPitBBQ

Muddy's had a great sense of humour and adventure about the whole thing, posting this tweet...
 

We have been known to have cars, trucks, transports, motorcycles...and now helicopters flying into Keene for some great southern style BBQ! pic.twitter.com/uyxcKzb3jk

— Muddy's Pit BBQ (@MuddysPitBBQ) April 13, 2017

Muddy's also posted the footage of the helicopter landing on their Facebook page and it's getting thousands and thousands of views...

If you haven't tried it, make sure to drop by this Spring and see why even helicopters land to pick up food from there...

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Will Dance For Night Kitchen Pizza

This boy dancing to Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" at The Night Kitchen on Hunter Street wins the internet today. It was posted to The downtown pizzeria's Instagram page. The kid has the moves.

Watch it below.

And give him his pizza.

The Smooth Criminal dancing for his pizza #smoothcriminal #michaeljackson #pizza

A post shared by The Night Kitchen (@thenightkitchen) on Apr 11, 2017 at 1:18pm PDT

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The Nutty Chocolatier’s Annual Downtown Easter Egg Hunt Is April 16

Celebrate Easter at the 28th Annual Downtown Peterborough Easter Egg Hunt hosted by The Nutty Chocolatier on Sunday, April 16th in downtown Peterborough.

The egg hunt starts a noon in the outdoor courtyard of Peterborough Square at the corner of Water and Charlotte streets.

This is a FREE event for children ages 2 to 10. All children will receive a goody bag and Faces By 2 are offering free face painting. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Spring Bonnet and Best Sports-themed Hat.

Bring your camera and get a photo of your child with the Easter Bunny and George, King of Downtown.

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Celebrate Canada’s 150th at Home in Downtown Peterborough With Awesome Entertainment

The Canada’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations Committee and the Downtown Business Improvement Area are working together to put on two days of exciting activities on June 29th and 30th, the beginning of four days of local Canada Day festivities.
 
On Thursday, June 29th, there will be a "Downtown Pop-Up" where you’ll find a wide range of unique entertainment at more than 20 locations throughout the downtown. The official ribbon cutting will start with a picnic in Millennium Park featuring the swing, jazz, funk and rock & roll sounds of the band Knightshift.

Rick Fines playing at launch announcement

Throughout the afternoon and evening, you’ll get to see performances from the Tanah Haney Celtic Harp Trio, the Mike Graham Gypsy Jazz Trio, Bobby Watson, Sean Conway, Danny Bronson Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, country singer Dean James, the Peterborough Pop Ensemble, Peterborough Concert Band, Peterborough New Horizons Band and more.

There will also be live chainsaw carving by champion woodcarver Steve Kenzora, caricatures by artist Jason Wilkins, interactive art, Citiots Improv, a live circus show and a “Bring Your Can-Con” Canadian music contest.

The one and only Rick Fines sharing some tunes with guests at the @downtownPtbo #PTBO150 announcement. pic.twitter.com/bRRVuTUEqI

— Celebrate Canada 150 (@ptbo150) March 30, 2017

On Friday, June 30th, Hunter Street from George to Aylmer streets will be closed for pedestrians only. EC3 and Artspace will be presenting a 150th themed media arts exhibition. Four new works by local artists commissioned especially for this event will be popping up as films, videos and projections large and small to inhabit the street.

Catfish Willie and Washboard Hank get the music started on June 30th with a special Live and Local Lunches performance at the Peterborough Square Courtyard. Family entertainment throughout the afternoon includes a colouring contest hosted by the Peterborough Public Library, face painting from Faces By 2, a Ben van Veen Century 21 Summer Family Film Series movie in Millennium Park and performances from Tim Holland The Puppet Tamer, J’s Magic and The Paddling Puppeteers.
 
The Bash 150 downtown street dance gets underway at 4 p.m. on Hunter Street with an amazing lineup of local talent, including:
 
• 4:00 p.m. — Washboard Hank
• 5:15 p.m. — Mayhemingways
• 6:15 p.m. — Rick Fines
• 7:15 p.m. — Melissa Payne
• 8:15 p.m. — The Rocket Review, featuring Jack De Keyzer & Jerome Godboo
 
For more information about Peterborough’s Canada 150th Celebrations and a list of their events, click here. 

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Citiots Improv Next Show Is March 24th At Gordon Best Theatre

The Citiots Improv, who regularly play sold-out shows at the Gordon Best Theatre, are back March 24th, 2017 with special guests Adam Martignetti and Mike Moring from Jobless (Web Series).

The Citiots—read their fascinating backstory here—feature Danny Bronson, Luke Foster, Ray Henderson, Mike Judson, Paul Nabuurs, Andrew Root, and Daniel Smith.

Luke Foster and Ray Henderson from Citiots

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and Showtime is 8 p.m. at Gordon Best Theatre (216 Hunter St. W.) on March 24th. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.

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Peterborough Man Dresses Up As Mickey Mouse To Help People Beat Monday Blues

You might have noticed Mickey Mouse hanging out on the corner of Lansdowne and Monaghan Street on Monday (February 27th) waving and dancing.

Well that was none other than the awesome Luke Heard—who, as you may recall, dressed up over Christmas and along with friends delivered toys to kids at PRHC.

So why'd he dress up as Mickey and stand on a street corner?

Luke Heard helping out Electric City Maroon & White special needs team

"A lot of people get a case of the Monday blues," Luke tells PTBOCanada. "So I thought I'd take away the blues and give smiles. A smile goes a long way and so does a wave! I love making Peterborough smile so that's why I do the things I do, not for attention but for admiration that the smallest of things can mean so much."

Luke tells PTBOCanada he even had a woman bring him a hot chocolate from the kindness of her own heart. He also had pictures taken with parents and their children. "Just seeing their smile makes my day," he says.

Mickey Mouse standing at Monaghan and Lansdowne asking to honk if he made you smile @Ptbo_Canada pic.twitter.com/ghsLeOl9yP

— Jeremy Biden (@Jeremybiden82) February 27, 2017

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Just A Zamboni At The Timmies Drive Thru In Lakefield

Photo: Roberta Hubble & Lakefield Herald

You never know what you'll see going through a Tim Hortons drive thru. On January 30th, Zamboni driver Graham Wilkins was coming from the Ontario Speed Skating Oval in Lakefield and decided to hit up the Timmies there for coffee.

Only in Canada, eh!?

Photo: Roberta Hubble & Lakefield Herald

Hey @Ptbo_Canada you can't get any more Canadian than this! #Lakefield #SpeedSkatingOval #Timmies pic.twitter.com/2ApYYsKhxF

— Heather Watson (@HeatherWats0n) February 3, 2017

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