Lock & Paddle Has A Neat New Twist This Year: Light Up The Night At Peterborough Lift Lock

The 4th Annual “Lock & Paddle” event this Saturday, August 24th, has a new twist this year with its “Light Up the Night” theme. Hosted by Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada in co-operation with The Canadian Canoe Museum, it will be a colourful lighted paddlecraft parade taking place over multiple lockages.

This year, they are opening up the site to encourage a “festival feel” by welcoming local vendors and entertainment as they host hundreds of paddlers and spectators. On-site camping is also being offered for the first time ever at the Historic Site to the first 150 registrants. The format will change to make the event more inclusive, giving everyone the chance to lock-through. 

Photo courtesy Parks Canada

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

To participate in this year’s Lock & Paddle, paddlers are encouraged to register on-line in advanced of the event. (Last minute registration will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 1 p.m. on the day of the event.) Registrants will receive a glow-in-the-dark wristband and a vessel marker which will provide them access to the event.

Paddlers are also encouraged to decorate their vessels with glow sticks, lights, reflectors or anything that can light up the night (but no open flamses are allowed).

At 6 p.m., the lighted paddle parade will begin, where paddlecraft will pass by judges for a chance to win some great prizes. Following the paddle parade comes the lighted night-time lockage where they will lift paddlers almost 20 metres into the night sky in the world’s highest hydraulic Lift Lock.

To register, click here.

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Help Make A 14-Foot Textile Canoe At Canadian Canoe Museum With Artist-In-Residence Vanessa Coplan

Members of the public are invited to weave, tie, pull, wrap, knit and sew textiles to create a 14-foot canoe over the course of the next couple of weeks at The Canadian Canoe Museum.

The museum is welcoming Ottawa artist Vanessa Coplan to lead the unique community art project, which will begin on August 22nd and culminate in a temporary exhibition at the museum starting September 21st.

This activity is suitable for participants ages eight to adult, and younger children will be encouraged to take part with parent/guardian supervision and assistance.

Artist-in-Residence Vanessa Coplan

“It is truly a unique opportunity to work with Vanessa and as a community to create this collaborative sculpture,” says Karen Taylor, Director of Public Programs. “Participants are welcome to bring pieces of fabric that have personal significance or, they can use the recycled fabric we’ll have on hand for all. We look forward to seeing this canoe take shape before our eyes.”

Members of the public are invited to join in the project, included with admission to the museum, on the following dates:

• August 22nd – 5:00-8:00 p.m., with the artist (free admission Thursday evenings)

• August 24th – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., with the artist

• August 25th – 12:30-3:30 p.m., with the artist

• August 29th – 5:00-8:00 p.m. (free admission Thursday evenings)

• August 31st – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

• September 1st – 12:30-3:30 p.m.

• September 2nd – 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Registration is not required, but space is limited. If you would like to reserve, contact Karen Taylor, Director of Programs at the Canoe Museum, at 705.748.9153, ext. 219.

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Peterborough Pulse Will Transform George Street

Peterborough Pulse 2019 will transform George Street for one fun-filled day of walking, cycling, and activities on Saturday, July 27th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pulse is an open streets initiative that temporarily replaces car traffic with people traffic to create a safe and vibrant car-free corridor for walking, biking, dancing, playing, and socializing.

Peterborough Pulse file photo

The Peterborough Pulse route will be closed to vehicular traffic between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Street parking will be prohibited from midnight on Friday, July 26th, until Pulse is over at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 27th.

Here is a map of Pulse...

STREET CLOSURES FOR PETERBOROUGH PULSE

George St. from McDonnel St. to Sherbrooke St. 

• Will be CLOSED Saturday, July 27th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Vehicles entering or exiting will need an escort.

• Street parking will be prohibited from midnight on Friday, July 26th until Pulse is over at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 27th. Vehicles left on street will be towed.

ONLY local traffic will be allowed to access these streets…

• Murray St. from Aylmer St. to George St. and George St. to Water St.

• Brock St. from Chambers Lane to George Street and George St. to Water St.

• King St. from Aylmer St. to George St. and George St. to Water St.

The following intersections will remain open for east-west traffic…

• McDonnel St. at George St.

• Hunter St. at George St.

• Simcoe St. at George St.

• Charlotte St. at George St.

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5th Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival Takes Place At Del Crary Park This Year

Smithavens Brewing Company and Publican House Brewery are pleased to announce the 5th Annual Kawartha Craft Beer Festival, and this year it takes place at a new location, Del Crary Park.

The festival is on June 14th and 15th during Ontario Craft Beer Week, and will showcase craft breweries from the Kawarthas and surrounding region allowing visitors to sample a variety of beer flavours and cuisine from local restaurants. 

The hours are 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 14th and they have extended hours on Saturday, June 15th from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Del Crary Park.

This year will feature 13 breweries and three craft cideries from the surrounding region, including many new vendors. The 5th anniversary event will also showcase local merchandise vendors for guests to explore locally made products while local musicians perform on the Fred Anderson stage at Del Crary. Six local food vendors will showcase a variety of food options to enjoy throughout the weekend.  

Tickets are on sale now and are available online through kawarthacraftbeerfestival.com and in-store at both Smithavens Brewing Company (687 Rye St.) and Publican House Brewery (300 Charlotte Street).

Advanced ticket sales end Friday, June 14th at 10 a.m. Each ticket allows entry into the festival, a branded 12oz glass and drink samples. 

For more info on the beer festival, go here.

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29th Annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale Is This Weekend

It's the 29th Annual Gilmour Street Garage Sale this year—one of the can't miss community events in the city.

As per tradition, the Gilmour Street Garage Sale falls on the Saturday after the long weekend. This year, it's Saturday, May 25th starting at 9 a.m.—although people have been known to show up as early as 7 a.m. in the hunt for a good bargain! The event runs until about 1 p.m.

The biggest street sale in all of Peterborough, it extends out to many other streets in the neighbourhood, and there are also many sales for charitable organizations in town.

For more info, click here.

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Canoe Museum's Campfires & Cocktails Flannel Event Raises Over $40,000 To Support Educational Programming

More than 200 people attended the Canadian Canoe Museum’s first-ever “Campfires and Cocktails” event on May 4th, enjoying local food and drink, live music and an amazing auction.

The event raised $40,250 to support educational programming and will return next year, offering community members another opportunity to “channel their flannel”.

Photo by Bryan Reid for Canadian Canoe Museum

The museum’s galleries were brimming thanks to the support of many, including the volunteer organizing committee, sponsors, food providers, and the 15 local artists and distinguished Canadians who painted paddles for the live auction.

The evening was set to music by local country-folk-pop trio the Dixie Hicks and complemented by artisans at work in the Preserving Skills Gallery.

Dixie Hicks, photo by Bryan Reid for Canadian Canoe Museum

“This first-of-its-kind event was embraced by the community, and we are so grateful for all the support the museum received,” says Caroline Anderson, Annual Giving Co-ordinator with the museum.

Photo by Bryan Reid for Canadian Canoe Museum

“From the organizing committee led by Jane Ulrich, to the local businesses who brought such incredible creativity to the table, we were amazed by the initiative and interest,” adds Anderson.

To learn more about the Canoe Museum, paddle over here.

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11 Great Date Ideas In Peterborough

Tired of the same old song and dance on date nights? You’re probably not alone. There is only so much Netflix worth watching before you find yourself watching repeats. With that in mind, here are some date night ideas in Peterborough…

1. Get out and listen to some live music: Peterborough has some awesome venues around town— the Memorial Centre, Del Crary Park, The Venue, Market Hall, Showplace, the Garnet, The Twisted Wheel, the Historic Red Dog and more!

2. Pull out your dabbers because it’s time to play BINGO! Go in a big group to Delta Bingo on Clonsilla for a load of laughs or take your special someone for some intimate number calling action.

3. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, a walk through Jackson’s Park is perfect during them all. This park is a gem in our city and has some incredible scenery to take in. Take advantage of it!

4. Get out and chuck some axes at the Peterborough Axe Club! Get out all of your pent-up frustration and aim for the bull’s-eye at this incredibly fun facility. Like it so much on your date that you want to play again? They have a lot of league options—and they’re licensed!

5. Take your date to new heights with a night out at the Rock and Rope Climbing Centre. Combine a unique physical experience with a tough mental challenge to find out what you and your partner are really made of.

6. Cheer on a local sports team! The Peterborough Petes and Century 21 Lakers provide a lot entertainment all under the iconic Memorial Centre roof.

7. Visit the Canadian Canoe Museum and take part in an artisan workshop. It might not be like the romantic pottery scene from Ghost, but coming out with a paddle or pair of moccasins you made would be kind of cool.

8. Bundle up and strap on your skates in the wintertime for a skate on the canal! (Make sure the Green Flag is up because nothing sounds like more of a date ruiner than falling through the ice.)

9. Dinner out—and dancing! Somewhere downtown. For its size, Peterborough seemingly has more amazing restaurants, cafes, pubs and dance clubs per capita than almost anywhere else.

black honey cafe & gerti’s Pub

10. Try out your problem solving skills at the Escape Maze. Fun is the name of the game in their challenging interactive game rooms.

11. Take a stroll along the paths and check out the animals at Riverview Park & Zoo! Go for a ride on the train during its seasonal schedule, and then show your daring side by riding down the super slide.

—post by Aaron Elliott

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Accessible Wheelchair Swing Is Now Open At Zoo After Modifications

After some modifications, the Riverview Park & Zoo has announced on their Facebook page that that their accessible wheelchair swing is now open to the public.

"We have completely removed the wood fiber ground covering and replaced it with interlocking soft tile for easier access to the swings with wheelchairs," the zoo says in a Facebook post.

If you want to use the accessible wheelchair swing, the zoo says to visit guest services (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week) for help and instructions.

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Peterborough Ranked One Of Most Active Cities In Canada

Expedia has ranked Peterborough one of the 21 most active cities in Canada. 

Some of the factors Expedia looked at in compiling their list include: average number of marathons and hiking trails; access to bike paths, trails, and races; per capita gyms; and abundance of outdoor activities such as kayaking, canoeing, etc.

Photo by Neil Morton, PTBOCanada

"To paraphrase Salt-N-Pepa, you’ve got to push it when you’re in Peterborough, Ontario," Expedia says of Peterborough.

"This means pushing your endurance along Trent Canal when you’re riding your bike next to dozens of pros. Pushing your body up just a little higher off the safe ground at Rock and Rope Climbing Centre. And pushing your paddle skills on Little Lake to one day earn a glittering spot at the Canadian Canoe Museum in town."

Click here to view Expedia's entire ranking.

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