Peterborough Blogs
Ennismore Shamrock Festival’s Truck and Tractor Pull Returns July 23
/After a 4-year hiatus the Annual Truck & Tractor Pull is returning to the Ennismore Shamrock Festival on Sunday, July 23.
file photo.
The Truck & Tractor Pull will take place at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex (553 Ennis Rd.) and kicks off at noon.
Admission is $10 per person and children 12 years of age and under are free. This is a licensed event and food vendors will be available trackside.
For those interested in pulling, weigh-in and registration runs from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and you must supply your own hitch.
Classes are listed below:
Local Classes:
Local Vintage Tractor 4,500lb
Local Vintage Tractor 5,500lb
Local Vintage Tractor 6,500lb
Local Vintage Tractor 9,000lb
Local Gas Truck 6,500lb
Local Diesel Truck 8,500lb
Local Highway Tractor
Demo Pull
Sanctioned OTTPA Classes:
Single Engine Modified Tractors 6,100lb
Hot Stock 4x4 Trucks 5,600lb
Vintage Tractors 5,750lb
Modified Tractors 8,000lb
“We are very excited to welcome back the Truck & Tractor Pull to the Ennismore Shamrock Festival once again. With both local classes and OTTPA sanctioned classes, there is something for everyone,” says Londa Junkin, chair of the Ennismore Shamrock Festival Committee. “We wouldn’t be able to pull off this event without the help of our volunteers and sponsors. We are so grateful for their continued support.”
Check out the website for a schedule of events, sponsorship, vendor and volunteer information and more.
Peterborough Folk Festival Announces Irish Millie and Nicholas Campbell as 2023 Emerging Artist Award Winners
/The Peterborough Folk Festival has announced that local talents Irish Millie and Nicholas Campbell are the winners of the 2023 Emerging Artist Award.
Peterborough Folk Festival believes in investing in young local performers to encourage and support their careers. To that end, PFF created an annual award in 2001 to recognize emerging local talent that we think deserves the attention and support of the community. For the list of previous winners, visit the website.
Applicants may be solo artists, groups or bands and must live in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, including Hiawatha, Curve Lake and Alderville First Nations, and be under the age of 30. A committee assesses applicants on skill, dedication and artistic merit.
Irish Millie is a 16-year-old fiddle player who loves to play East Coast, Bluegrass and Contemporary Trad styles – especially driving, up-beat tunes that get the crowd up on their feet. As a youngster, Millie (whose real name is Amelia “Millie” Shadgett) busked every Saturday along with her Dad at the local farmers’ market to gain experience and help pay for music camp.
Millie has already received nominations for two Canadian Folk Music Awards as Young Performer of the Year – in 2022 for her first album, ‘Thirteen’, and in 2023 for her work with The Receivers, a collaboration between Millie and sisters Willow and Fern Marwood. In addition to regularly playing in the Peterborough area, Millie has toured in Denmark and is touring Canada’s east coast of Canada this summer, and toured in Vermont with The Receivers this past spring.
“It is truly an incredible feeling to be recognized for my art in this beautiful city that I call home. I am grateful and honoured to be receiving Peterborough Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Award alongside the very talented Nicholas Campbell,” said Millie. “I have been very lucky to have the full force of the Peterborough community behind me from a very young age. I can not wait to get up on that stage and make you proud – see you there!”
From slick hot-rod rockabilly to smooth crooning honky tonk, Nicholas Campbell is the real deal. Inspired by some of the last century’s most iconic country sounds, Campbell first picked up the guitar at age 10 and was gigging by 11. Campbell began playing consistently with his band, The Two-Metre Cheaters, during the early months of the pandemic, and the band quickly found their groove as live shows became an option once again. Campbell’s 2021 debut album, ‘Livin’ and Other Western Ideas’, combines elements of rockabilly, western swing, and old-fashioned honky tonk. The band has enjoyed worldwide coverage and airplay since, spanning from western Canada to Spain, Italy and beyond. Nicholas has also played lead guitar for Melissa Payne, Pat Temple, Jane Archer and other artists.
With Campbell’s new singles and the album to come, ‘Gonna Have A Ball Tonight’, the group has embraced a more rock n’ roll-centric sound, adding renewed energy to Campbell’s signature country sensibilities.
“I’m very grateful to be part of such a supportive music scene and I feel very fortunate to be recognized as Emerging Artist,” said Nicholas Campbell. “It’s very humbling to be recognized on a list with so many other great artists.”
Recipients of the Emerging Artist Award are provided showcase performance spots during the festival weekend and a trip to the Folk Music Ontario Conference where they have the opportunity to meet artistic directors, festival organizers, other musicians, agents and publicists. Peterborough Folk Festival would like to thank our Emerging Artist Sponsors: Cambium Consulting and Engineering; Engage Engineering Ltd. & Part Time CFO Services.
Peterborough Folk Festival 2023 kicks off with ticketed concerts on Thursday, August 17th at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and Friday, August 18 at the Gordon Best Theatre, followed by a free-admission weekend of music, food and culture on August 19 and 20 at Nicholls Oval Park. Recent announcement of headliners Broken Social Scene and Loreena McKennitt will be followed soon with the complete line-up of performers.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Lakefield Farmers’ Market Canada Day Celebration To Be Held June 29
/The Lakefield Farmers’ Market, located behind the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre, is celebrating Canada Day on Thursday, June 29.
photo courtesy of the lakefield farmers’ market.
Market staff will be handing out small Canadian flags, temporary maple leaf tattoos, and Canadian themed colouring sheets. Lakefield Youth Unlimited will also be on hand with children activities.
Market vendors will have everything needed for Canada Day celebrations; fresh produce for salads, local meat for the BBQ, delicious baking, local craft beer, VQA wines and much more.
The Lakefield Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday, 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.
For more information, check out the website.
Parks Canada Announces Temporary Closure of Warsaw Road Swing Bridge June 29
/Parks Canada advises the public of the temporary closure of the Warsaw Road Swing Bridge on June 29 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
file photo.
This one-day closure of the bridge, located on Parkhill Road East between Armour Road and Television Road, is required for seasonal maintenance purposes.
Members of the public are encouraged to use alternate bridge crossings at Maria Street or Lansdowne Street, where traffic control measures and detour signage will be in place.
Parks Canada is leading this infrastructure work to ensure safe, high-quality experiences for visitors by improving heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, including investments in the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site in Peterborough.
For more information on this project, visit the website.
New Stages Theatre Announces Eight Contemporary Professional Shows for the 2023-2024 Season
/New Stages Theatre has announced the launch of their largest season to date, including a staged reading series, cabaret tribute to founding Artistic Director Randy Read, a week-long festival of new work and a holiday production in December at Market Hall.
photo courtesy of new stages theatre.
The full season line-up includes:
October: THIS IS HOW WE GOT HERE by Keith Barker
A staged reading at Market Hall. A beautiful drama by Métis playwright Keith Barker about two families in north Ontario grieving a tragic loss, when they are surprised by a mysterious visitor.
November: LET’S GET RANDY
An outrageously fun cabaret tribute to Randy Read’s 25 years as the founding Artistic Director of New Stages. With all-star performers gathering from near and far to sing and sling stories, get ready to get randy!
December: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY adapted by Joe Landry.
A holiday production with a unique twist on the beloved classic, our play is set in a 1940s radio studio, with 5 actors playing all the roles and creating all the sound effects in front of you, the live studio audience. It’s going to be a wonderful night at the theatre!
February to March: BRAND NEW STAGES
From Feb 27 to March 3, enjoy a week-long festival of exciting new work, including:
LOOKING FOR LEAR by Dreda Blow and Brad Brackenridge. Presenting a family-friendly workshop production by Nervous System at Market Hall.
LIFE WITHOUT by Steve Ross. A staged reading of this riveting family drama at Market Hall.
TUSSAUD/ANTOINETTE. Written and directed by Jody Christopherson. Presenting a staged reading at The Theatre on King.
May: LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE by Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally) and Delia Ephron
A staged reading at Market Hall, directed by Linda Kash. An intimate collection of stories told by women about pivotal moments in their lives and how they were shaped by the clothes that they wore.
June: YELLOW FACE by David Henry Hwang.
A staged reading at Market Hall. A satirical play about the once-common practice of casting White actors to play Asian roles on stage and screen. At once wickedly funny & vital viewing.
For subscription package and ticket details, visit the website.
Seasons on Ravenwood Holiday Displays Close Permanently
/The Glasbergen’s announced that the public holiday displays on their Ravenwood Drive property are coming to an end, citing the difficulty with navigating “mean spirited complaints” from community members.
photo by david tuan bui.
“When we started Seasons on Ravenwood it was during a difficult time for most, as we were all navigating through COVID,” the Glasbergen’s outlined in a statement on Facebook. “There was nowhere to visit and we wanted to provide a safe and small place to take little ones. We never dreamed it would become as big and widespread as it did.”
The family goes on to address the comments they’ve received regarding their Pirate Ship and Christmas displays at their home on Ravenwood (1723 Ravenwood Dr.)
“The saying goes “one bad apple spoils the bunch” and I wish it was only one. It is getting harder to navigate through the mean spirited complaints and missions of the individuals who would like to see our “junk yard” displays removed,” the statement continues. “We want to thank all the people who have supported, written and spoke kind words, and who donated hundreds of pounds of food for our local food banks! For that, we are eternally grateful.”
Braden and Jenn Glasbergen continue to stress the importance of supporting local food banks in the community.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Broken Social Scene Announced As Headliners of the Peterborough Folk Festival 2023
/The Peterborough Folk Festival have announced the band Broken Social Scene as the headliners of this year’s festival August 19.
photo courtesy of the peterborough folk festival, facebook.
Throughout their two-decade run, Broken Social Scene have achieved all the markers of modern indie success—rave reviews from Pitchfork, invites to play Coachella and Lollapalooza, multiple Juno Awards and Letterman appearances, and name-drops in Lorde songs. And their victories have ultimately been Toronto’s as well – through the establishment of a record label (Arts & Crafts) and a music festival (Field Trip) that became rallying points for the local scene and nurtured the next generation of indie upstarts.
Broken Social Scene is described as living proof that underdogs are most effective when travelling in a pack, that mass audiences can be led into uncharted waters through collective enthusiasm, and that the better world we all dream of begins with community.
“Inclusivity, belonging and community are at the heart of Peterborough Folk Festival,” says artistic director Ryan Kemp. “I can barely express how thrilled we are to have this iconic Canadian band take the main stage as the PFF 2023 headliner on August 19th.”
This will be Broken Social Scene’s first-ever performance in Peterborough. Earlier this month, Kemp shared that internationally-acclaimed Celtic singer/songwriter Loreena McKennitt will headline the main stage of the 34th annual Peterborough Folk Festival on Sunday, August 20.
"We’ve been building momentum with our festival partners, sponsors and volunteer-run board to create a memorable event for everyone in Peterborough and across the region to enjoy. It’s incredible to have this come together with the announcement of these fantastic performers,” he continued.
The 2023 Peterborough Folk Festival kicks off with ticketed concerts on Thursday, August 17 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and Friday, August 18 at the Gordon Best Theatre, followed by a free weekend of music, food and performance on Saturday, August 19 and Sunday, August 20 at Nicholls Oval Park. Organizers will be making additional announcements during June, including the complete line-up of performers and PFF’s Emerging Artist of the Year.
For more information about PFF 2023, including how to get involved as a sponsor, volunteer, or vendor, visit the website.
Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library Partner to Offer On-Campus Recreational Reading Collection
/Trent University’s Bata Library and the Peterborough Public Library have partnered to offer a new self-serve library kiosk on campus; promoting community connection and providing increased access to the downtown library’s collection.
photo courtesy of trent university.
“At Trent University, we recognize the profound benefits of reading for pleasure, ranging from stress relief and cognitive development to the enhancement of empathy skills,” said Coralee Leroux, Bata Library’s scholarly resources librarian. “The success of this partnership has created a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, stimulating curiosity, reducing stress, and fostering empathy among our students and wider community. It is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and a shared vision for education and personal growth.”
Bata Library is the newest location for the Peterborough Public Library's network of self-serve kiosks, offering access to public library materials for anyone possessing a Peterborough Public Library card, and extending the reach of library resources throughout the city. Other locations include the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
“We’re very excited to partner with Bata Library on this initiative. Our kiosks provide an alternative to visiting our downtown branch for those who want to borrow library materials,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Peterborough Public Library. “When the folks at Trent reached out, it was such a quick and easy yes from us. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to work together and combine our library powers for the benefit of the Trent and local communities.”
To borrow a book from the Bata Library kiosk, or other kiosk locations, individuals can simply scan their Peterborough Public Library card, enter their PIN, and open the kiosk door to select a book. When removing the book from the kiosk and closing the door, the item is automatically checked out.
For those who do not have a Peterborough Public Library card, registration can be done online.
Things To Do In-and-Around Peterborough This Weekend; June 23 - 25
/
file photo.
Here are some things to do in Peterborough City and County this weekend from June 23 to 25!
Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival at Trent University
Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) is an unjuried, uncensored festival for independent Indigenous performers in theatre, dance, music and comedy. Participants send in applications and are chosen by lottery. Performers receive 100% of the box office proceeds. NIFF is proud to be a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals.
NIFF is committed to providing a space for people to experience and embrace the arts and community with an extensive commitment to the development and transmittal of cultural knowledge and creative practice.
When: All weekend
Where: Trent University
Five Counties Backyard Summer Social
The Backyard Summer Social will be in full bloom on Saturday, June 24, as it returns for a second year to Five Counties Children’s Centre in Peterborough. The inaugural event held in 2022 raised more than $45,000 for critical, high-demand treatment services for children/youth at Five Counties. Now the Centre’s signature fundraising event is back with music, food, entertainment, fun activities and more as it offers a high-end gala experience for adults with a fun summer twist.
“Our Backyard Summer Social is an adults-only gala event that celebrates the arrival of summer, lets you be like a kid again, and allows you to swap out the tux, gown and heels for T-shirt, shorts and sandals all the while supporting a great cause,” says Lyn Giles, Director of Fund Development at Five Counties. “Our initial Backyard Summer Social was a smashing success, and we plan to make it even bigger, bolder and better in 2023!”
Tickets to the Backyard Summer Social are now on sale for $125/person. Tickets are available online or through Five Counties (email development@fivecounties.on.ca or call 1-888-779-9916, ext. 300). Along with a charitable tax receipt, each ticket purchased to the Backyard Summer Social includes all food, one drink ticket, live music, access to all activities, and a chance to win fantastic door prizes.
People attending the Backyard Summer Social on June 24 can look forward to:
Fantastic food/fare catered by La Mesita, SKH Catering and Loaded Pierogi.
Sweet treats from Central Smith and Flossophy.
Drinks from Rolling Grape and Brock Street Brewery.
Musical performances by Irish Millie and the Boogie Time Ramblers.
Live auction and door prizes.
Axe throwing, lacrosse shootout, inflatable jousting, old-fashioned picnic games and more.
Behind-the-scenes tour of Five Counties’ Peterborough location.
When: Saturday June 24, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Five Counties Children’s Centre in Peterborough
Beatlemania at Market Hall
Join us at The Market Hall in Peterborough for a truly unforgettable show! The Beatles – From early Ed Sullivan to Let it be, you’ll get all the hits. Experience a live Beatles show through all eras of their career, live on stage with their high energy, impeccable musicianship, showmanship, and humour.
The Liverpool 4, Canada’s Tribute to The Beatles has been delighting audiences for nearly two decades with their live high energy performance! They have played thousands of shows across North America including appearances with Global TV morning show, Maple Leaf Gardens, Universal Pictures, The British Isle’s shows as well as countless theaters and festivals.
The show performance is 2 acts with a 20-minute intermission. It must be seen to be believed. Come together and sing and dance along, clap your hands, stomp your feet, or just rattle your jewelry!
When: Saturday June 24, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Market Hall
League 1 Ontario Women's Home Game - Electric City FC vs Darby FC
The Electric City Football Club Women’s Team host the Darby FC for a regular-season match at Fleming College.
When: Saturday, June 24 noon to 2 p.m.
Where: Fleming College (599 Brealey Drive, Peterborough)
Check out the Peterborough Farmers Market
Buy directly from the farmer who grew it, raised it, harvested, or foraged it! Sixty percent of our vendors are primary producers who have gone through a third party inspection process to verify they grow 100% of what they sell. The remaining forty percent include bakers, prepared food vendors, artists and community groups.
Enjoy a festive market atmosphere with Peterborough’s finest prepared food vendors, artisans and musicians.
Come find us every Saturday to find local produce, delicious takeaway meals and goodies, and artisan wares.
When: Saturday June 10, 7 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: Morrow Park
Peterborough ComicCon
