Peterborough Tourism Strategy Community Feedback Survey Now Open
/Community members are invited to provide feedback on the draft direction of the Peterborough Tourism Strategy through a Community Feedback Loop Survey.
File photo.
Peterborough Blogs
New Pilot Program 'Elevate Peterborough' to Support City Events and Tourism Growth
/The City of Peterborough has launched a new pilot program, Elevate Peterborough, to support festivals and events that attract visitors to the city and contribute to tourism in the community.
Elevate Peterborough offers a robust range of support for eligible events and festivals, including in-kind city services, marketing, visitor information, event evaluation support, and ancillary programming. The City’s 2026 Budget includes $75,000 to support attracting and hosting major tourism events. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
The program aims to enhance event experiences that encourage overnight stays, drive economic impact and build the city’s profile as a premier tourism destination. Peterborough Tourism, the City’s tourism service delivery and marketing program, is now accepting applications from event and festival organizers.
“We’re excited to launch this pilot program as a way to streamline how the City supports the passionate organizers who bring energy, creativity, and community spirit to our community year-round,” said Tanya Budgen, City of Peterborough Service Area Manager for Tourism & Events. “Through Elevate Peterborough we’re strengthening collaboration with event organizers to attract visitors, increase overnight stays, and generate meaningful economic impact for our community while elevating what’s possible here in Peterborough.”
The Elevate Peterborough pilot program will run for the remainder of 2026 and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for upcoming events. Applications must be submitted 120 days prior to the event's start date.
Eligible events include, but are not limited to:
Conferences or galas
Music or cultural festivals
Culinary festivals or events
Art festivals or events
Trade shows
Educational events or seminars
Sporting events, tournament seasons or championships
Elevate Peterborough will be open for feedback throughout the pilot phase. Next year, the program will be evaluated and refined to ensure it aligns with the evolving needs of the tourism and events community.
Peterborough Tourism staff will host two in-person information sessions for Elevate Peterborough on March 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and March 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at the Miskin Law Community Complex.
The information sessions are designed for event organizers, sports user groups, cultural tourism operators and other tourism stakeholders who wish to learn more about the pilot program and the support and resources available.
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City of Peterborough Seeks Community Input to Shape Tourism Strategy
/The City of Peterborough is developing a tourism strategy to guide the growth of Peterborough as a competitive, sustainable and four-season destination and is seeking community input.
Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.
Over the coming weeks and months, the community will have opportunities to participate in conversations and other engagement activities that will help shape the future of tourism in Peterborough.
The City has engaged Bannikin, an Ontario-based tourism consultancy with extensive experience in developing tourism strategies for communities and destination marketing organizations according to a press release. A proposed Tourism Strategy is expected to be presented to City Council in spring 2026. As the busy summer tourism season comes to a close for another year, this project will focus on community engagement activities, including connecting with tourism-sector businesses and the broader community.
“Tourism is vital to the City of Peterborough – it enhances quality of life, generates economic returns for businesses, and creates jobs for community members,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “This new Tourism Strategy will provide a road map for collaborating on tourism development, management, and marketing.”
Meaningful community engagement is at the foundation of this tourism strategy development work and several opportunities for community participation are built into this project across fall 2025.
An online survey is now open and responses will be accepted through to the end of October. Additional information and updates, including dates and times for in-person ‘community café’ sessions, will be available in the coming weeks and will be published on the Connect Peterborough website.
An overview of engagement activities is included below:
Online Community+ Survey throughout the month of October
Virtual Key Informant Interviews throughout October
To engage selected voices from the community, including elected officials, City staff, local partners and collaborators, and leaders from Hiawatha First Nation and Curve Lake First Nation
Virtual Focus Groups in early to mid-November
To engage representatives of key interest groups and representatives of tourism business clusters
In-person Community Cafés in mid-November
To engage with residents, including re-engaging with those who have participated in other engagement activities like the online survey
“The City has had some incredible wins since bringing tourism service delivery in-house, including successfully landing the Women’s Major Series Lacrosse Tournament, the TELUS Cup, and securing media coverage like CP24 Breakfast,” said Brendan Wedley, Strategic Communications and Service Peterborough Director. “The new Peterborough Tourism Strategy allows for us to play to our strengths, develop opportunities, collaborate with businesses and community organizations, and ultimately, define how we position our destination for visitation and sustainable growth in 2026 and beyond.”
The development of this comprehensive, city-focused Tourism Strategy is the latest initiative undertaken by the City of Peterborough since tourism service delivery was brought ‘in-house’ at the beginning of 2025. Other initiatives undertaken by the City’s destination marketing program include several successful sports tourism bid opportunities coming to Peterborough in 2025 and 2026, media hosting including a live broadcast with CP24 Breakfast, the launch of a new year-round Visitor Centre operating out of the Peterborough Memorial Centre and a suite of digital and print marketing pieces.
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Peterborough Selected to Host 2026 TELUS Cup National Club Championship
/The Electric City has been selected to host the 2026 Telus Cup, Canada’s National Under-18 Men’s Club Championship, announced by Hockey Canada at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday.
Members of Peterborough Minor Petes team and staff, City Council and more with the official logo for the Telus Cup for 2026 in the middle of the Peterborough Memorial Centre’s rink. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The Telus Cup runs from April 20 to 26 next year with all games at the Peterborough Memorial Centre. The event has six elite men’s U18 teams from across the nation battling for the title. The host Peterborough Minor Petes are making their national championship debut in the tournament.
“This is the most exciting hockey moment for our community since we hosted the Memorial Cup in 1996,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “In Peterborough, hockey is more than a game, it is part of our identity. The TELUS Cup is an incredible chance to cheer on the future stars of the sport, showcase our facilities and the home of the legendary Peterborough Petes, and celebrate everything that makes Peterborough an unforgettable destination not only for youth hockey, but also for active family fun.”
The successful bid was led by Peterborough Tourism, the City’s destination marketing program, with the support and partnership of the community including the Ontario Hockey Federation, Peterborough Minor Hockey Council, local tourism business operators and organizations and the Peterborough Petes. The City expects the event to generate more than 1,200 total room nights and over $1 million in economic impact, boosting hotels, restaurants, shops and local attractions during the tournament week.
“Hosting premier hockey events takes a tremendous effort from everyone in the chosen communities,” said Dean McIntosh, senior vice president, revenue, fan experience and community impact. “From volunteers, sponsors and the fans, Canadians from coast to coast step up every year to help grow the game of hockey and provide lifelong memories for these athletes.”
(From Left to right) Lucy Christie, 10; Mason Scollard, 12; Cale Christie, 12; Emmett Scollard, 10 and Isaac Cavanagh, 11. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
As the oldest continuously operating franchise in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the Peterborough Petes have produced over 175 NHL players, including Steve Yzerman, Chris Pronger, Larry Murphy and Bob Gainey. The city has also hosted high-profile events, including the 1996 Memorial Cup and six Mann Cup lacrosse championships between 2004 and 2022.
“Hosting the TELUS Cup is an amazing opportunity for the Peterborough Community and the Peterborough Minor Hockey Council,” said Michael Oke, general manager and vice president of operations. “The Men’s U18 National Club Championship has hosted a number of big names over the years, including Petes alumni like Steve Yzerman, Larry Murphy, Luke Richardson, and Slater Koekkoek to name a few. This is also a great opportunity for the Peterborough Petes and the U18 Petes to showcase our partnership on a national stage.”
The 2025 TELUS Cup is being held in Chilliwack, B.C. Dieppe, N.B. was also announced as the host location for the 2026 Esso Cup.
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Peterborough County Announces Appointments to its Leadership Team
/Peterborough County has added Rhonda Keenan as the new General Manager of Economic Development and Sarah Budd as the new Manager of Community Development.
peterborough county logo
The County announced the appointments in a media release Friday morning stating Keenan and Budd will join Tracie Bertrand, General Manager of Tourism and Communications, to “form a trifecta of excellence” driving the county’s future economic growth, community development and tourism.
“These faces will be familiar to those in our business community and bring continuity and years of local knowledge and expertise to their roles, said warden Bonnie Clark. “Together, this team will work collaboratively with our townships, First Nations, and the City to ensure that our County businesses are supported - whether through retention, expansion, or bringing new enterprises to our area.”
Keenan, Budd and Bertrand will be based in the new Lakefield economic and tourism office.
“As the CAO for Peterborough County, I couldn’t be more excited about the exceptional team of professionals we’ve engaged to support economic development and tourism in the County, townships, and First Nations,” said CAO Sheridan Graham. “I am thrilled for our businesses, residents, and visitors as we move The Kawarthas forward.”
Keenan is the outgoing President and CEO of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) which is disbanding later this year as the city and county bring economic development and tourism in house.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Peterborough County team. The County has an excellent corporate culture, is poised for growth, and offers the ideal mix of opportunity and lifestyle – the perfect combination for any economic developer,” stated Keenan. “I am excited to get to work with this amazing team and continue to help support sustainable economic growth across Peterborough County.”
"On behalf of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) Board of Directors and our staff and stakeholders, I am very pleased that Rhonda will continue to serve the region and help drive economic development forward in this new role," stated Burton Lee, PKED board chair.
The board of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce announced the resignation of Budd as president and CEO on Thursday.
"Although I love my position as President and CEO of the Peterborough & Kawartha Chamber of Commerce, I could not pass up the opportunity to join Peterborough County's new economic development division and to learn and work with the highly respected and successful Rhonda Keenan," Budd said.
"I am truly thrilled to be part of such a dedicated and forward-thinking team and excited to work with Rhonda and Sarah,” added Bertrand. “I look forward to continuing our collaboration to drive positive change and growth in the region.”
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Trent Valley Archives Hosting True Crime Tour ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’
/Back by popular demand, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) will offer its true crime walk in downtown Peterborough entitled ‘Peterborough Perpetrators’ on July 14 and 21 and on August 11 and 18.
photo courtesy of tva.
Madison More, researcher and knowledgeable tour guide, will lead the tour which will touch on the astonishing discovery of human remains linked to a lumberjack of the town’s early days.
Other stories covered include a daring escape from the Peterborough jail with its ensuing province wide police chase and the shooting of Murray Green owner of the Grand Hotel.
The cost of the tour is $20 per person, with tours running rain or shine. Those who are interested can sign up by calling TVA at 705-745-4404. Tickets are also available through the website.
PedalBoro Returns to the Peterborough Downtown Streets For the Season
/The 15-seater PedalBoro bike is returning to Downtown Peterborough streets to tour the craft beer scene for another season, announced on Wednesday.
Roughly 60 per cent of PedalBoro goers were from out of town according to PEdalBoro. Photo courtesy of PedalBoro.
The cycling begins this weekend as PedalBoro will have cycling tours running from June until October. The booking calendar is open as the party bike is available from Friday through Sunday for pub crawl tours, private parties as well as one-of-a-kind team building experiences according to a press release.
“As we embark on our third year in operations, we are opening this season with a real sense of purpose,” said Peter Rellinger, PedalBoro captain. “Our mission has always been to showcase the incredible people and places that make downtown Peterborough so unique. PedalBoro tours build connection and community pride back into our downtown core, add in a little dash of adventure and we are able to create this special sauce that can only really be experienced by bike.”
Last year, the unique bike aided in downtown spending with an average of 89 per cent of tour guests supporting core area restaurants, cafés and pubs before and after tours as stated in a press release.
“As our community continues to show its resiliency through economic hardship PedalBoro has an important role to play,” said Hillary Flood, ‘Party Pixie.’ “We are here to roll up our sleeves and do our part- and to do it with a bit of flair and a whole lot of razzmatazz.”
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Lang Pioneer Village Museum to Open May 23
/The Lang Pioneer Village Museum announces they will be beginning their 2023 tour season on Tuesday, May 23.
photo courtesy of lang pioneer village.
May is Museum Month and a great time to start planning a trip to Lang Pioneer Village Museum. The Village will once again be bustling with costumed interpreters who will demonstrate the trades and pastimes of local settlers and Indigenous people of the 19th century.
The Museum will initially be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until June 16 for spring hours. Kicking off both the Museum’s summer hours and special event season is the annual Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show on June 18.
The Museum’s 56th season will see the return of many popular special events including the Father’s Day Smoke & Steam Show, the Transportation Day Car & Motorcycle Show, Village by Lantern Light, Applefest, Historic All Hallows’ Eve and Christmas by Candlelight. Also returning this year is a late-summer harvest celebration, the Corn Roast. The Corn Roast will give visitors an opportunity to celebrate the early harvest season, with plenty of fire-cooked corn to enjoy. Also returning is the Christmas Bazaar, which brings together a variety of local artisans at the Peterborough County Agricultural Heritage Building for a day of holiday shopping.
“Our staff and volunteers are excited to welcome everyone to the museum this summer. We've been working on opening up the heritage buildings, cleaning up the site, and freshening up our content with lots of opportunities to see and do throughout your visit with us," says museum operations manager Elizabeth King.
Visitors may purchase admission for both daily visits and special events at the door or in advance online. For those wanting to take advantage of all the museum has to offer this season, season passes are also available for purchase.
Travel back in time this season at Lang Pioneer Village Museum! The Village is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays from May 23 to June 16, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday from Father’s Day to Labour Day weekend. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors (60+), $5 for youths (ages 5-14), free for children under 5. Family admission is also available for $30 and includes 2 adults and up to 4 youths ages 5-14. Special event pricing varies.
For more information, visit the website.
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Third Annual Painted Paddle Public Art Exhibit Tour in Downtown Peterborough
/The Downtown Vibrancy Project will be holding an outdoor public art exhibit to celebrate the community’s connection to the water through a series of painted paddle installations across downtown Peterborough from March 3 to 24.
The Gardens of Peterborough residents' Joanne B (right) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Call of the Loon’ alongside Joanne W (left) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Spring in the Air.’ Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
Locals and visitors will be able to tour the Painted Paddle art exhibit by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown through this art crawl experience.
Local artists and graphic designer Susie Armstrong painted one of the 31 canoe paddles on display.
“I was inspired to paint a pollination scene for my paddle. Peterborough is a hub for urban pollination gardens, and I see them everywhere on my spring and summer walks,” said Armstrong. “I hope to evoke a bit of warm weather with my painting, which depicts swamp milkweed, a pollination plant specifically enjoyed by monarch butterflies.”
Many creative community members lent their artistic skills to the Painted Paddle project, including executive director of the DBIA Terry Guiel.
“This is the third year we have run this project and it continues to be a success, bringing beautiful art to our downtown, raising funds to support a meaningful project, and inspiring hopefully thoughts of spring paddling.” Guiel remarks. "I am one of the artists and my painted paddle reflects on two themes on each side of the paddle, one being Every Child Matters and the other Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”
Other local artists taking part in this year’s project include Samantha Chuisolo, Residents from Empress & Princess Retirement Residence, Salvador Haines, Bri Gosselin, Brooklin Stormie, Tim Wales, Nuin-Tara Wilson, Sarah St.Pierre, Jason Wilkins, Jenni Johnston, Terry Guiel, Raine Knudsen, Nichelle Leeson, Kate Powell, Val Yeo, Justine-Marie, Trent University, Ash Hughes, Hearts 4 Joy, Jeff Macklin, Tayler Morencie, Students of Lakefield College School, Karin McLean., Students of Thomas A. Stewart School, J McKay, Jennifer Baici, Ginny Stammers and Maggie O'Rourke.
The paddles will be displayed in store windows throughout downtown Peterborough including Bluestreak, Tragically Dipped, Watson and Lou, Art School, Cork and Bean, The Food Shop, The Night Kitchen, Avant Garden, Boardwalk Boardgame Lounge, Mark Jokinen Books, Kit Coffee, Chesler's Shoes, GreenUP, Cheek, Gerti's, The Toy Shop, Plant Goals, Cahills, Wild Rock, Tiny Greens and Bike!
The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 24. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from March 3 at 8 p.m. to March 24 at 8 p.m. with proceeds going to support the DBIA and One City Peterborough Employment Program Partnership to create two part-time jobs through The Green Team. For the virtual auction visit the link.
To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations by visiting the Love For The Boro website online.
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Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas
/A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.
