First-Ever Peterborough Caesar Fest Launches July 13

A contest of cocktail and culinary prowess begins in Peterborough this week with the launch of the first annual Peterborough Caesar Fest starting July 13.

Terry Guiel (left) and Julia Caes-her (right) showing off their Caesar creations. photo courtesy of the peterborough dbia.

Eleven restaurants, pubs and cafes are featuring their own unique and savoury homage to the classic Canadian cocktail, and will all be vying for glory in this spicy competition.

From July 13 to the 31, a variety of Caesar cocktails and Caesar-inspired dishes will be featured on local menus throughout the downtown just in time for summer patio season. During Caesar Fest, participating restaurants will seek to please the masses and gain votes to claim the title of Caesar Fest victor. Festival goers will vote online for their favourite ‘Caesar’ and at the end of July, only one will reign supreme. 

With a variety of versions available, foodies and cocktail lovers alike will be able to explore a world of innovative caesar-inspired menu exclusives. The Caesar Map will help participants scout out their favourite spots for sips and snacks over the course of the Caesar Fest program.

The winning restaurant will receive a hand-crafted Caesar Fest trophy and the adoration of their patrons and competitors.

“Caesar Fest is a really fun and new way to bring the continuous, multi-site food fest model into the summer patio season”, says Shivaan Burke, programs and engagement coordinator for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area. “Involving numerous businesses from across the downtown delivers benefits to multiple neighbourhoods at the same time, all while giving patrons the chance to explore some unexpected creations based on a Canadian classic. Downtown revellers can spice things up by making this a cocktail crawl and feel good about getting home safely thanks to our partnership with Y-Drive. We hope that Caesar Fest will give folks the opportunity to discover some new downtown favourites and enjoy the summer on some great patios.”

The Peterborough DBIA has also contracted local performance artist Julia Caes-Her to animate the program. They will be downtown Peterborough promoting Caesar Fest, toasting the competition and partaking of the spoils. 

For more information on how to participate in the first annual Peterborough Caesar Fest visit the website.

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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.

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The Borderless Music & Arts Festival Is Back at The Gordon Best Theatre

The Borderless Music & Arts Festival 2023 is set to feature a line-up that celebrates local artists & cultural diversity through soulful music, poetry, dance and community at the Gordon Best Theatre starting June 23.

photo courtesy of The Borderless Music & Arts Festival.

Since 2016, the Borderless Music & Arts Festival has been a multidisciplinary arts showcase that centres women, BIPOC, intersectional identities, multiculturalism, and inclusive community-building with a mosaic of music, dance, visual art, drag, poetry, comedy, circus and film. For over 6 years, Borderless artists have brought an amazing wealth of diversity, culture, collaboration, innovation and excitement to the City.

Borderless Festival 2023 Begins

Friday, June 23:

Poetry by Robyn Pierson

Dance performance & workshop by Mintu Maria James

Music by:

The Colton Sisters

Will Ward

Harbhajunkie

Shahrazi

Featuring a pop-up booth by Indigenously Infused.

Saturday, June 24:

OMBIIGIZI

Singing Wild Rice Girl (Missy Knott)

Will Ward

Danny Taro

photo courtesy of The Borderless Music & Arts Festival.

Tickets available at the door and through borderlesshearts.ca. For more information, check out the website.

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The Ennismore Shamrock Festival & Truck and Tractor Pull is Back Starting July 21 This Summer

The Ennismore Shamrock Festival is returning to the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex from July 21 to 23 in Ennismore.

photo courtesy of the ennismore shamrock festival.

Friday, July 21:

The Ennismore Shamrock Festival starts off with an age of majority dance featuring a DJ and music from Melissa Payne at the Quarry Golf Club in Ennismore. The show begins at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased in advance or for $15 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at:

• Selwyn Township Municipal Office (1310 Centre Line, Selwyn)

• The Quarry Golf Club (447 Tara Road, Ennismore)

• Sullivan's General Store (476 Ennis Road, Ennismore)

• Jesse's Tap & Grill (583 Robinson Road, Ennismore)

Saturday, July 22:

Saturday is a Free Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with many free children's activities including bouncy castles, petting zoo, Beavertails, snow cones and more. Enjoy an all-day BBQ, local vendors and community information booths.

Sunday, July 23:

The Annual Truck & Tractor Pulls will be held Sunday, July 22nd beginning at 12

Noon. Admission is $10 per person, children 12 years of age and under are FREE.

Food vendor and a licensed refreshment tent will be available trackside. Anyone interested in pulling can check out the website to view the classes and registration times.

Attendees can check out the Shamrock Craft Show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday only. This indoor craft show features 100+ vendors. Admission is $2 per person and children 12 years of age and under are free, with all proceeds going to the Shamrock Festival.

All Weekend Long:

The annual Garage Sale and Street Curling hosted by the Ennismore Curling Club (555 Ennis Road, Ennismore) will take place all weekend on Friday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information on this upcoming festival, visit the website.

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Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival Announces 2023 Music Line-Up

The Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival returns riverside on Saturday, July 8 in Isabel Morris Park in Lakefield.

photo courtesy of The Lakefield Jazz, Art & Craft Festival, facebook.

The festival is set to begin at 11 a.m. with dancing and grooving finishing up at 10 p.m. in Isabel Morris Park at 20 Concession Street, Lakefield. Admission is $10 per person with tickets available at the gates (cash only.)

The 2023 music lineup includes:

Ron Marenger Big Band - 11 a.m.

Paul Novotny - 12:50 p.m.

Caity Gyorgy - 2:40 p.m.

Red Hot Ramble - 4:30 p.m.

Lakefield Jazz Septet - 6:20 p.m.

Pat Temple & The HiLo’s - 8:10 p.m.

Lakefield’s Jazz, Art & Craft Festival invites you, your friends and family to enjoy a day of jazz music, local food, beverage vendors (including Publican House Brewery) and colourful art works for sale by artisans and crafters.

Visit the website for sponsorship, vendor, volunteer information and more.

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Photos: Opa! Greek Festival Booms After Three-Year Hiatus With Dance and Traditional Cuisine

Pork or chicken souvlaki, gyros, Greek salad, fries, pita and rice were the savoury food options available at the 2023 Greek Festival. All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Over 2,000 people came and went at the return of the Greek Festival from a three-year hiatus, held at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday. Traditional Greek favourite meals such as souvlaki, gyros, baklava and Greek salad were served at the event. Dancing, a kids’ fun zone and live entertainment were the amenities offered during the festival.

Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival to Rock Out with The Johnnys June 25

The third annual Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival (NIFF) presents well-known Ontario rock band, The Johnnys on June 25 in the Nozhem First Peoples’ Performance Space at Trent University.

a performance from last year’s NIFF event. Photo courtesy of the Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival, Facebook.

Founded by spouses Veronica Johnny (lead vocals/ manager/ producer/ writer) and Dave Johnny (drums/producer/writer) the band is known for delivering rowdy, high-energy, humour-filled performances. They’ve played across Canada, been featured on TV and film and shared stages with such luminaries as Geordie Johnson, Bif Naked, Stevie Salas, Bruce Cockburn, Keith Secola & Crystal Shawanda. Veronica’s Cree heritage is reflected in the band’s lyric content, with indigenous influences on topics such as the environment, social justice and political change.

Wrapping up the 2023 Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is this one night only, all ages welcome, rock show featuring the band. For a sample of their music, visit the link.

“Rock bands are not a traditional Fringe act, but NIFF is not a traditional Fringe, so when Veronica Johnny approached us about applying for a one-night-only slot, we said sure. What a great way to close the festival,” said NIFF general manager Lee Bolton.

As for all other NIFF shows, tickets for The Johnnys are only $12 with all sales going directly to the artist. They are available online now or by cash only at the door depending on availability.

The performance will take place in the Nozhem First Peoples’ Performance Space at Trent University (East Bank) at 9 p.m. on the 25th. Free parking is available in Lot X.

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The Incredible Edibles Festival is Coming to Downtown Campbellford

Let food and fun collide at the 8th annual IncrEdible Edibles Festival on July 8 in Downtown Campbellford.

photo courtesy of the incredible eats festival.

The IncrEdible Edibles Festival returns to Downtown Campbellford on Saturday the 8th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Foodies from all over Ontario will gather to celebrate the tastes of Trent Hills and our neighboring vendors, from within 100 kilometres of Campbellford.

This event is free and family-friendly, with over 35 local food vendors, a beer tent, artisan market, children’s area, community zone, speakers, food demos and live music. Celebrating Trent Hills’ strong agricultural heritage and the abundance of our thriving community, the festival aims to entertain, educate and excite!

With everything from fresh produce to street eats, artisan sweets to small batch hot sauces, comfort foods to vegetarian fare, there is something to serve every palate. Vendors will serve up food to enjoy at the festival and bring items to take home. The school nutrition program will be putting their skills Into action at a booth and even our community gardens will be offering some local delicacies.

Cool off with a beverage from your favourite local brewery! In this year’s beer tent, we will be serving all the local brews: Church-Key, Fogorig, Longtooth, Focal and Rice Lake Cider.

Entertainment will kick off with a visit from Firelights Belly Dancing Troupe at 11 a.m. Thew main stage will host opening ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. then an afternoon of speakers and food demos. Starting at 4 p.m., a great line up of live local music will bring us into the evening: Dave Mowat and the Curbside Shuffle, The Lindsay Barr Band and The Melissa Payne Band.

The Children’s Area will feature The Grain Discovery Zone from Grain Farmers of Ontario, Maple the Milking Cow from the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Storytimes with the Library, crafts and straw bale building among other activities. The Flourishing Communities Zone is an interactive space where visitors can meet and talk with people working on local food and sustainability initiates.

To learn more about Incredible Trent Hills and the Incredible Edibles Festival, visit the website.

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Peterborough Takes Action for Monarch Conservation Through 10 Kilometre Monarch Run

Local community members who are concerned about the environment and the plight of monarch butterflies are encouraged to join the inaugural Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Millennium Park.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

As many are aware the migratory monarch butterfly is now an endangered species, threatened by habitat destruction and climate change. The Monarch Ultra, a community-led group in Peterborough, is launching a new initiative as a call to action to protect monarchs and inspire positive environmental change.

After the initial 4,300 kilometre relay from Canada to Mexico in 2019 and the 1,800 kilometre relay within Ontario in 2021, the organization is embarking on a series of runs in Canada, the US and Mexico as well as organizing a Monarch Butterfly Festival in Peterborough to raise awareness for monarch conservation this year.

Runners can register for the 10 kilometre race and fundraise for Nación Verde, a non-profit conservation organization in Mexico that is helping to restore habitat loss from deforestation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The organization works in several areas including conservation, regeneration and protection of the environment. This year, Nación Verde is planning to plant 100,000 Oyamel trees along 100 hectares. Overall, planting trees is beneficial for the environment because it helps to fight climate change, minimize soil erosion, promote healthy forest and biodiversity, and helps reduce carbon dioxide. 100% of donations raised through the Monarch Run will be for Nación Verde who is playing a vital role in protecting habitat for monarch butterflies and other forest dwellers at the Reserva de la Biosfera de la Mariposa Monarca. Registration for the Peterborough 10 kilometre race and 1 kilometre kids fun run can be found online.

“I would love to see a sea of orange and black along the race route. An image of humans running with wings will mimic the monarch migration which takes place around the same time as our race,” says race director for the Monarch Ultra Jodi McNeill.

photo courtesy of the monarch ultra.

The Monarch Ultra has worked diligently for several years now to bring awareness and inspire action for monarch butterflies across North America. As they continue to educate and advocate for these endangered species, they encourage the community to join the movement and consider planting a pollinator garden or few pollinator-friendly plants such as milkweed (monarch butterflies need milkweed plants to lay their eggs) and avoid using pesticides in your garden and property.

“Recognizing that monarch butterflies are endangered should inspire action on several levels, and one way is for communities to protect and increase biodiversity along the migratory path which ultimately helps all wildlife species,” says Carlotta James, co-founder of the Monarch Ultra. “There are so many ways for folks to do something impactful and creative to save monarch butterflies. We can plant pollinator gardens. We can push governments to create better policies that protect biodiversity and wild spaces. And we can run for monarch conservation. I am doing all three actions so that we can continue to enjoy these migratory marvels flying through our summer skies.”

The out and back course will take runners along the Rotary Trail and Otonabee River. Following the race, families and community members are invited to participate in the Monarch Butterfly Festival starting at noon at Millennium Park. Participants can expect music, dancers, performances and presentations at the festival, while the event will also showcase sustainability and biodiversity initiatives.

The organizers are seeking out sponsors to support the community-led event. If interested, contact Carlotta James via email.

Register for the 10 kilometre race on October 15th, and come out to our Monarch Butterfly Festival to celebrate, to learn more about biodiversity initiatives, and to have fun, all in honour of the monarch butterfly.

To learn more about the Monarch Butterfly Festival and Race visit the website.

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Four Days of French Fry Goodness Returns to Morrow Park With Peterborough Poutine Feast

Over 25 poutines have returned to Morrow Park as Peterborough Poutine Feast kicks off a four-day event from Thursday to Sunday.

David Conway, Poutine Feast emcee (left) and Bailey McGlennon, Cornelia Corn Dogs operator (right) featuring a classic and award-winning bacon-double cheeseburger poutine as two of over 25 featured kinds at Peterborough Poutine Feast. All photos by Samantha Bianco.

The poutines came from four different vendors such as Fat Le’s Chip Stand, Groovy Gravy, Jr’s The Upper Deck Express and The Tragically Chip.

Other vendors such as Ms. Ellie’s Lemonade, Mrs. Mini Donuts, Cornelia Corn Dogs and more were other food and drink options available at the event.

Peterborough was one of the original locations of Poutine Feast’s tour before the tour expanded. The travelling food group is hitting 20 cities with Peterborough as the second leg of its tour.

@ptbo_canada Peterborough Poutine Feast is back at Morrow Park from May 4-7! Try out some of their awesome award-winning poutines this weekend! #ptbo #fyp #peterborough #poutine #food #foodtiktok #foodie #fries #frenchfries #cheese #gravy #ptbocanada #delicious #deliciousfood ♬ Levitating (feat. DaBaby) - Dua Lipa

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