Photos: Barbeques Are Firing Up For the 19th Annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest

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The barbeques are fired up as the 19th Annual Kawartha Rotary Ribfest is underway at Millennium Park from Friday to Sunday.

The event is filled with activities, food and entertainment that will cater to all walks of life according to Susan Zambonin, Habitat for Humanity CEO.

“We have four ribbers this year, we have a number of food vendors and other vendors,” she explained. “We have lots of entertainment, we've also added family-friendly entertainment. We have a magician here, face-painting for the kids and colouring.”

Proceeds from the event go towards the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha and its community projects. Their main one includes building a washroom for the Brock Mission.

Rib vendors at the event are Boss Hog’s BBQ, Fat Boys Barbeque, Silver Bullet, Bar-B-Q and Jack the Ribber. Other food options from the vendors include brisket, pulled pork, chicken and cornbread.

Other vendors available are Corn, Beaver Tails, Kettle Curls, Poutine Supreme, Lemonade, Mr. Kettle Corn and Kawartha Buttertart Factory.

Live entertainment with 15 groups are set for the stage throughout the three days.

The following are the operating hours of Ribfest:

  • Friday: Noon to 11 p.m.

  • Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m.

  • Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

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City to Celebrate National Drowning Prevention Week From July 21 to 27

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The City of Peterborough will host its annual Swim to Survive and drowning prevention educational programs at Beavermead Park beach starting July 13.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

Swim to Survive classes are open to all age groups with no fee to participate. Registration is required as spaces are limited to ensure the appropriate number of instructors. To register, visit peterborough.ca/RegisterRec then select Swim to Survive under the Splash section or call 705-742-0050.

There are two Swim to Survive sessions, with three classes in each session at Beavermead Park Beach.

Each class is for an hour on Saturday for three consecutive weeks:

  • Session A is on July 13, 20 and 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

  • Session B is on Aug. 10, 17 and 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Swim to Survive is a Lifesaving Society-designed program that teaches people water safety and how to survive if they unexpectedly fall into deep water. This includes how to roll into deep water, tread water for one minute, and swim 50 metres.

Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

In addition to the Swim to Survive program, the City will host a drowning prevention educational event at Beavermead Park beach from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on July 24 during National Drowning Prevention Week.

The drop-in event will include information on water activity safety and interactive displays, such as trying on life jackets. Anyone is welcome to attend.

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David Tuan Bui


Lang Pioneer Village Hosting 27th Annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show July 14

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Lang Pioneer Village is showcasing antique and classic cars and vintage motorcycles from across the province during the 27th Annual Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show on July 14 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer VIllage.

Guests can tour the village by horse-drawn wagon ride or stroll as they view cars, trucks and motorcycles of every make and model.

Demonstrations include broom making, shingle making at the Shingle Mill and grinding at the Lang Grist Mill are available for viewing. Enjoy performances by the Peterborough Scottish Country Dance Society.

There will be displays by the Peterborough County City Paramedics, Peterborough Speedway and the Canadian Armed Forces.

A pancake breakfast is served while supplies last in the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building (additional fee applies). Refreshments and sweet treats will be available for purchase throughout the day at the Keene Hotel or you can enjoy a traditional European-brewed craft beer in the Haven Brewing Company beer garden. Ben’s Kettle Corn will be popping up fresh kettle corn, fresh Empire Cheese curd and bread available for purchase in the Cheese Factory and the Keene Lions Club food truck will be onsite selling BBQ goods (cash only).

Anyone bringing a vehicle to display, participant registration runs from 8 a.m. to noon. The $10 registration fee includes admission into the village. The first 200 vehicles to enter will receive a complimentary dash plaque as a souvenir of their participation. Over 25 trophies will be awarded, including the coveted People’s Choice and Lang’s Choice.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under five. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes two adults and up to four youths (ages 5-14).

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Road Closures and Fireworks In Place For Peterborough's Canada Day Parade

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This year’s Canada Day Parade see road closures and fireworks during the ceremony slated for this Monday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

The parade’s 30 entries will travel down George Street from City Hall, 500 George St. N., to Del Crary Park next to Little Lake starting at noon.

Pre-parade activities start at 10 a.m. at Confederation Square across from City Hall and include a bike decorating contest, games, giveaways and temporary Canada Day tattoos and flags.

Peterborough Pop Ensemble will perform starting around 10:30 a.m. at City Hall and will lead the crowd in signing O Canada to kick off the parade procession.

Morello’s Your Independent Grocer will donate ‘Happy Birthday Canada’ cupcakes to share with the crowd at City Hall ahead of the parade.

Temporary road closures for the event will be in place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.:

  • Murray Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

  • George Street – from the south side of McDonnel Street to the north side of Murray Street

George Street from Brock Street to Rink Street is being treated as a rolling road closure while the parade is underway.

As part of the Canada Day celebrations, a fireworks display provided by the City will be held over Little Lake from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday following the Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park featuring the Road Apples, a tribute to The Tragically Hip.

There will be a temporary road closure on Crescent Street near the T-wharf before and during the fireworks display. Access to local traffic will be maintained.

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Elizabeth Fry Society's Tearing Down Walls On Drug Addiction For Anti-Stigma Day

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Elizabeth Fry Society kickstarted dialogue for those suffering from drug addiction as it held its fourth annual Anti-Stigma Day at Millennium Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Kayla Farewell, Elizabeth Fry housing case manager (left) and Mourin Moyen, Elizabeth Fry volunteer (right), hold anti-stigma rocks that were hand-painted at the event and available for attendees. This is the fourth annual event by the Society which began in 2021 and runs every June 26. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The event is always held on June 26 and runs alongside the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s ‘International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.’ It supports the war on drugs and helps destigmatize those who are struggling while using substances.

Anti-Stigma Day is one way of creating awareness and dialogue. Understanding those suffering from drug addictions is one way to destigmatize the notion according to Kayla Farewell, Elizabeth Fry housing case manager.

“It's not always a choice. Addiction can be really hard to come out and mostly what we ask for is just understanding,” she explained. Everyone is walking their own path. All of these organizations believe in walking alongside people as they walk their own path and it's just showing that compassion, understanding and a willingness to learn. A lot of the stigma comes from not knowing from ignorance whether that's purposeful or not.”

The YES Shelter, One City PTBO, Moms Stop the Harm, John Howard Society, Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes, Peterborough AIDS Resource Network, Peterborough 260 Nurse Practitioner-Left Clinic, Peterborough Public Health and Canadian Addiction Treatment Services were in attendances with tables to offer information sessions during the event.

Farewell says being open about having a conversation and not shying away from it, whether you are suffering or hearing out someone else, is a huge step towards ending the stigma.

“Starting dialogues with people, even people that you love, that you know have an addiction in the past, making sure you're not afraid to talk about it and making sure that you're not afraid to look away,” she said. “It is very present in our community and the instinct for a lot of people is just to look the other way but it's very important to come together as a community to help the people who live here who use substances.”

A community effort of having sympathy and empathy for those who are suffering from drug addiction is vital to destigmatization.

“They are just people,” said Farewell. “We are all a bad event from being in that position ourselves so having that sympathy, having that love and approaching it with open arms is really the key to all of it. It's takes community to come to get to help lift people up out of the tough spots.”

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Canada Day Starts Early For Lakefield Farmer's Market On June 27

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Canada Day celebrations are coming early for the Lakefield Farmers’ Market which will mark the occasion on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre parking lot at 20 Concession St.

The Lakefield Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, from Victoria Day until Thanksgiving. The Farmers’ Market is located behind the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre, next to Isabel Morris Park along the Otonabee River, and just steps from the Lakefield Marina and the Lakefield Trail. Photo courtesy of Lakefield Farmer’s Market.

Staff and volunteers will hand out small Canadian flags, temporary maple leaf tattoos and Canadian-themed colouring sheets. The Lakefield Village Lions Club will be in attendance with their boat raffle and Avian Agenda will provide Canadian live music.

Pam Hart from the Kawartha Truth & Reconciliation Support Group will be present with its quilt. Each square on it tells its own unique story.

Market vendors will be fully stocked with Canada Day supplies including fresh produce for salads, local meat for the BBQ, fresh baking, craft beer, VQA wines and more.

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Take Father's Day Back Into History With Lang Pioneer Village's 27th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show

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Lang Pioneer Village is treating dads to a day filled with tractors and powerful equipment with its 27th Annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village.

The event features local collectors bringing to life some of the oldest antique tractors and steam engines around and competing for over 20 awards.

At noon, competitors participate in various tractor games, including balance challenges and lawn tractor races. Throughout the village, smoke and steam collectibles, hit-and-miss engines, antique tool collections, model train displays, and more will be displayed.

Historic demonstrations including broad axe hand hewing, natural dyeing, weaving, broom making, wood turning, grinding at the Grist Mill and more are available for viewing. Tractor and wagon rides while touring the Village and live music by Lotus Wight are available entertainment.

A pancake breakfast is being served (while supplies last) in the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building. Refreshments and sweet treats will be available throughout the day at the Keene Hotel or Ben’s Kettle Corn will be available.

The Keene Lions Club food truck will be onsite selling BBQ goods and fresh Empire Cheese curd available for purchase in the Cheese Factory. A traditional European-brewed craft beer will be available for purchase courtesy of Haven Brewing Company. Visitors can participate in the pie-eating contest on the Village Green at 2 p.m. with limited space available.

The day will conclude with a tractor parade through the historic village beginning at 3 pm.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under five. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths (ages 5-14). Tickets are available at the door and in advance online.

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Five Counties Children's Centre Brings the Fun With Annual Backyard Summer Social On June 22

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Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is bringing the heat for its Backyard Summer Social fundraising event which will take place on June 22 from 1 to 4 p.m., as announced on Monday.

Five Counties Children’s Centre staff members Linsey Kampf (left) and Maddie Jackson (right) encourage people to come out to the third annual Backyard Summer Social on June 22. In each of its first two years, the Backyard Summer Social has raised more than $40,000 annually. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

The summer fun is at FCCC’s backyard space on 872 Dutton Rd. in Peterborough.

The funds go to FCCC’s Building Abilities For Life Campaign which funds priority, high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for kids to receive these critical services according to a press release.

Activities at the Social are a petting zoo, alpacas, axe-throwing, circus performers, inflatable jousting, classic picnic games, live music, drinks, treats and foods from local vendors.

“The Backyard Summer Social is an adults-only event that lets you be a kid again, at least for an afternoon,” said Lyn Giles, FCCC director of fund development. “No tux, gown, or heels are required — instead, sun dresses, T-shirts, shorts, or sandals are how to make a fashion statement here.”

Tickets to the Backyard Summer Social are $125 each and available online, through email at development@fivecounties.on.ca or call 1-888-779-9916, ext. 300).

Along with a $75 charitable tax receipt, each ticket purchased to the Backyard Summer Social includes all food from various local vendors, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities and games and a chance to win prizes.

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Comedian Chris D’Elia Brings "Straight Outta The Multiverse Tour" to Peterborough Memorial Centre Sept. 13

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Comedian Chris D’Elia is making the Peterborough Memorial Centre a stop from his ‘Straight Outta The Multiverse Tour’ on Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.

D'Elia is also a father to sons, Calvin, born in 2020 and William, born in 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

The stand-up comedian has toured the US and Canada and has three comedy specials available on Netflix: No Pain, Man on Fire and Incorrigible. He was chosen as one of four comics to represent the US in Netflix's 2019 Series ‘Comedians of the World’ which features 47 comedians from 13 regions in eight different languages. His first special, ‘White Male, Black Comic’ debuted on Comedy Central in 2013 and he can be seen on Comedy Central's Roast of Justin Bieber.

The comedian is also known for his podcast ‘Congrautlations with Chris D’Elia’ since its debut in February 2017. He is also a co-star on The Golden Hour with Brendan Schaub and Erik Griffin.

The venue pre-sale begins Wednesday at noon and the public sale is on Thursday at noon.

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New Canadians Centre Launch Canadian Multicultural Festival For June

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In celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism Day on June 27, the New Canadians Centre (NCC) is organizing the Canadian Multicultural Festival for the month, announced at Fresh Dreams on Tuesday.

Hillary Flood, Peterborough DBIA vibrancy manager (left); Ty Nguyen, NCC community engagement assist (middle) and Andy Cragg, NCC executive director enjoying food from Fresh Dreams as part of the Multicultural Food Crawl. Last year, the NCC supported over 2,000 newcomers from more than 100 countries around the world. This is the highest number of clients ever and a 50 per cent increase over the previous year. Photo courtesy of the New Canadians Centre.

The festival is a series of programs and events celebrating multiculturalism in Peterborough.

A Multicultural Food Crawl, with 10 participating restaurants, was announced at the event to let the public experience culturally diverse flavours in Downtown Peterborough.

The locations are as follows:

  • Ariyana

  • Bhojan

  • Cork & Bean

  • Curry Village

  • Fresh Dreams

  • La Mesita Restaurante

  • Levantine Grill

  • Milk + Tea Shop

  • Oasis Mediterranean Grill (OMG)

  • Village of Thai

For every $10 spent during June, festival goers receive a stamp in your Multicultural Food Passport. Six stamps enter them into a draw to win one of three $100 Boro Gift Cards.

Passports are available at the NCC or any of the participating 10 restaurants.

“In Spain, our culture, our unity, and our love starts from the table where we spend hours talking with families and friends while sharing family-style meals, said Monica Silva, Fresh Dreams owner. Through my dishes and Fresh Dreams, I want to show the community a part of Europe and my culture.”

NCC’s 45th Anniversary Block Party will give samples from each participating restaurant at 221 Romaine St. on June 28 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. (while supplies last).

The public can vote for their favourite restaurant of the crawl for a chance to win a $25 Boro Gift Card. Tag @newcanadianscentre #multiculturalfoodcrawlptbo on social media with your experience to be entered.

The NCC has several other Canadian Multicultural Festival events throughout June:

  • June 19: Bollywood Dance Party & Marketplace at Millennium Park

  • June 20: “Our Home” – World Refugee Day Community Conversation in collaboration with the Peterborough Public Library

  • June 22: Zumba Party at Quaker Foods City Square

  • June 23: Jollof Rice Cooking Class at New Canadians Centre

  • June 24: Language Exchange (Arabic, French, Spanish, Hindi) at New Canadians Centre

  • June 25: Coffee and Tea Tasting – Sip Around the World at the New Canadians Centre

  • June 28: NCC’s 45th Anniversary Block Party at 221 Romaine Street

“Celebrating the richness of multiculturalism is at the heart of community-building,” said Andy Cragg, NCC executive director. “We may be one small organization in one part of a huge country, but in celebrations like these and in the work that the New Canadians does every day, we are on the front lines of building an inclusive and prosperous multicultural society.”

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