YMCA to Host Free Community Open House This Saturday

The public is invited to visit the YMCA of Central East Ontario, which is hosting a Community Open House from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Available are studio demos like qigong, CPR & basic first aid, judo and fitness classes. Activites at the event are archery, NHL Street and a bouncy castle. Aquatic activities at the open house are open swim, lane swim, aquafit, water walkway and swim level assessments.

Information booths are set up throughout the build for more information on their programs, services, camps, rentals and more.

Families can also stop by the Treehouse and KidsKare space for kids.

Admission is free for all to attend.

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Inaugural Charity Motorcycle BBQ Set for Sept. 1 For SickKids and Rett Syndrome

As a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation for Rett Syndrome, the inaugural Charity Motorcycle BBQ is being hosted at Taso’s Restaurant & Pizzeria on Sept. 1.

Photo courtesy of Taso’s Restaurant and Pizzeria.

The event, hosted by Taso’s Restaurant and 88Moto Motorcycle Shop, takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Overflow parking is available at Bailey’s Bay and Coffee Time nearby.

The fundraiser features a barbecue by Taso’s Restaurant, a motorcycle showcase, an autograph session with Canadian Superbike (CSBK) riders, live music (acts to be announced) and more.

Dyno runs are available for $50, which includes three runs that provide information on horsepower, torque, air-fuel mixture and more, allowing for a diagnostic of a motorcycle’s performance.

Taso’s Pizzeria owner Taso Hatzianastasiou wanted to host the inaugural event as a way to combine his love of motorcycles and his business for a good cause.

“I’ve always done a charitable event through the restaurant and I’ve tried to do something different every year,” he explained. “Since I’m involved so much in the racing community, I thought I would combine the racing and the restaurant.”

While Hatzianastasiou has not been directly affected by Rett Syndrome, he knows many within the community who are.

“There are a lot of friends of mine who have children with Rett Syndrome but not me,” he said. “I want to do it for them.”

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Photos: Hockey Benders Hit Lansdowne Place For Meet-and-Greet As Part of Canadian Mall Tour

Cole Lequier and Aiden Dale, also known as “The Hockey Benders,” had fun with fans in a meet-and-greet event at Lansdowne Place as part of their Canadian Summer Mall Tour.

The pair are known for their hockey branding and apparel and social media videos.

Fans could have their photos taken with the duo, purchase their merchandise, have their autographs taken and quickly chat with them.

@ptbo_canada The @HockeyBenders hit up Lansdowne Place in a meet-and-greet as part of their “Canadian Summer Tour.” #ptbocanada #ptbo #peterborough #journalism #journalist #news #fyp #hockeybenders ♬ The Hockey Song - Smithnthompson

Their tour has four Ontario stops including Kingston, Ottawa, Oshawa and Peterborough as the last city of their Eastern leg.

They continue their tour, heading west to Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, and Medicine Hat.

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Peterborough Folk Festival Releases Full 2025 Lineup

The Peterborough Folk Festival has released its full lineup for their 2025 edition, running from Aug. 14 to 17 throughout Downtown Peterborough and Nicholls Oval Park, announced on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Folk Festival.

The event has over 30 artists and bands, including 12 local performers with all proceeds going back to the festival.

Featured acts include Joel Plaskett, Basia Bulat, Whitehorse, Jeremie Albino, Goldie Boutilier, Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation, Bells Larsen and Colin Linden.

Full Line-Up:

Aug. 14 at Market Hall Performing Arts Centre

  • Basia Bulat

  • Jeanne Truax

Aug. 15

  • Various venues downtown including the Pig's Ear Tavern

Aug. 16 at Nicholls Oval Park

  • Joel Plaskett

  • Goldie Boutilier

  • Jeremie Albino

  • Bells Larsen

  • Shub presented by Hiawatha First Nation

  • My Son The Hurricane

  • Grievous Angels

  • Songs Of Scratch Garden

  • Sister Ray

  • Quinton Barnes

  • Doghouse Orchestra

  • The Silver Hearts

  • Benj Rowland

  • Jeanne Truax

  • Lancelot Knight

  • Swindlers

  • Caitlin Currie

  • Tapes In Motion

After Parties Downtown 11 p.m.

  • Jethros - The Jet Airliners featuring Jeanne Truax

  • Pig's Ear Tavern - The Silver Hearts

Aug. 17 at Nicholls Oval Park

  • Whitehorse

  • Lemon Bucket Orchestra

  • Colin Linden of Blackie and The Rodeo Kings

  • Inn Echo

  • Beau Dixon

  • Sharon Lois and Bram Singalong with Sharon and Randi

  • Kay Silver

  • Babe Chorus

  • Fittonia

  • Jethro Blues Jam All-Stars

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List of City Services For Canada Day 2025

Many City services and facilities will operate under holiday hours or be closed on Canada Day this Tuesday.

File photo.

The Canada Day ceremonies start at 10 a.m. in front of City Hall. The decorated bike contest judging will take place at 10:45 a.m. The parade begins at 11 a.m., departing from George Street North near City Hall and proceeding south on George Street to Millennium Park. 

The celebration continues in Millennium Park, featuring an afternoon of free, family-friendly fun that includes music and dance, face painting, storytelling, a cultural marketplace, and food and beverage vendors. This event will run from noon to 6 p.m. 

The City will host a fireworks display over Little Lake starting at 9:30 p.m. on July 1, following the Peterborough Musicfest concert at Del Crary Park. 

City Hall offices, including Service Peterborough, Building Services and the Clerk’s Office, will be closed on July 1. Online services are available at peterborough.ca

The curbside collection for Zones 1 and 2, which typically takes place on Tuesdays, shifts back one day to Monday. Residents are asked to place green bins, recycling and garbage (Zone 2 only) to the curb by 7 a.m. Tuesday.

There are no changes to the curbside collection schedule for the Downtown Business Improvement Area. 

The City-County Landfill at 1260 Bensfort Rd. will be closed on July 1.  

Peterborough Regional Airport will be open regular hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Canada Day.

The Peterborough Public Library and the Miskin Law Community Complex branch will be closed on Tuesday.

The Peterborough Museum and Archives will be open noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. 

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and the Miskin Law Community Complex will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 1. Summer hours will be in effect for the Sport and Wellness Centre starting Wednesday, with daily operation from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 1. 

The Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena, Peterborough Memorial Centre, Grant Thornton Box Office, McDonnel Street Community Centre including Peterborough Youth Space, and the Recreation Facility Booking office will be closed on Tuesday

Lifeguards will be on duty at Beavermead Beach from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no lifeguard supervision provided at Rogers Cove. Peterborough Public Health tests the water at local beaches.

Splash pads in City parks are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pad at the Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Lifeguards supervise City wading pools daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  

Customer service at Peterborough Marina will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Riverview Park and Zoo is open from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. Guest Services is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Miniature train rides will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Otter Enrichment takes place at 1:30 p.m.and a Meet the Keeper session with Torti the African Spurred Tortoise will take place at 2:30 p.m. The Café is closed.  

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Tuesday. Fine payments can be made online at peterborough.ca/POA. 

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/Holiday service schedule on Tuesday. Temporary detours will be in place for some routes during the Canada Day Parade.  

The Customer Service desk will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Social Services office will be closed on Tuesday. From Wednesday, August 30, to Friday, office hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  

City-operated child care centres will be closed on July 1.

Emergency shelter services remain open: to access emergency shelter services outside of regular business hours or on holidays, please call After Hours service at 705-926-0096.

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CP24 Breakfast to Broadcast in Peterborough For National Canoe Day This Thursday

To kick off canoeing season in style, Toronto morning news show CP24 Breakfast is broadcasting live from Peterborough on National Canoe Day this Thursday.

National Canoe Day events at The Canadian Canoe Museum will include voyageur canoe tours, a book launch, the museum’s Annual General Meeting, and a festive atmosphere stretching from the Exhibition Hall to the docks. File Photo.

The special broadcast is the result of a collaborative effort between Peterborough Tourism, the City’s destination marketing program, and Destination Ontario. Featured segments will highlight the Canadian Canoe Museum, the Trent–Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada, luxury canal cruising company Le Boat, and Peterborough’s vibrant downtown culinary scene.

The broadcast is part of a day-long celebration of National Canoe Day, with festivities taking place at The Canadian Canoe Museum. It also builds on recent international attention garnered by both the museum and the Trent–Severn Waterway, as featured in The New York Times and Time Magazine. 

“Previous councils have supported The Canadian Canoe Museum for many great reasons. Local support has been essential for securing additional funding and in order to share this unique attraction with the world,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell. “This is an incredible opportunity to celebrate our community’s deep connection to water and canoeing culture. Credit goes to all those whose vision and tenacity brought this to life.” 

The Canadian Canoe Museum continues to attract visitors to the city, creating opportunities for other tourism assets in Peterborough, including arts and culture, year-round events and a dynamic downtown with diverse dining options, to share the spotlight.

“In many ways, The Canadian Canoe Museum has anchored an attraction corridor that is accessible by both land and water,” said Councillor Alex Bierk. “This live broadcast gives us the opportunity to celebrate that unique access. We look forward to showcasing our city to new and returning visitors this summer and fall.”

CP24 Breakfast will air live from Peterborough on Thursday from 7 to 9 a.m. and will be available on television and via livestream at cp24.com

“There’s no better place to celebrate National Canoe Day than at The Canadian Canoe Museum!” said Carolyn Hyslop, Canadian Canoe Museum executive director. “This year marks our first full season at the water’s edge, and we are thrilled to kick off our busy summer season by welcoming visitors for a day filled with paddling, storytelling, and community connection. These celebrations also coincide with hosting our second Builder in Residence, Pinock, who is constructing an Algonquin birch bark canoe in the Living Traditions Centre.” 

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Film Selected For Canada Day Movie Night

The City of Peterborough’s poll for the free Canada Day Movie Night has selected Fly Away Home as the feature film, held at Quaker Foods City Square on June 30.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

A total of 500 votes were cast to select the film for the City of Peterborough’s Canada Day Outdoor Movie Night. Fly Away Home was the winner with 217 votes.  

Other options included The Legend of Sarila, Kayak to Klemtu and Cheaper by the Dozen. Each movie has a Canadian connection through cast and crew, filming location, or theme. The poll was open from June 9 to June 13.

Quaker Foods will provide snacks and treats for the evening, and the City will offer free popcorn. Movie-goers are encouraged to arrive by 8 p.m. as supplies are limited.

The City reminds movie-watchers to bring an outdoor chair and water. 

The movie night will kick off the Canada Day festivities on June 30 at dusk (around 9 p.m.). The City is asking residents to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to settle in. Free popcorn is handed out before the show.

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Denne Park Celebrates Grand Opening On Bensfort Road

The City of Peterborough celebrated the opening of Denne Park, located at 2401 Bensfort Rd., on Thursday afternoon.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

According to the City, the need to rejuvenate Denne Park was identified as part of a comprehensive examination of the City’s green spaces and parks. Construction began in the spring of 2024.  

The City has added a playground, sheltered picnic area with accessible seating, walkways and new benches within Denne Park. A bicycle rack has been installed, and Sugar Maple and Colorado Spruce trees have been planted alongside the park’s existing trees. 

“This new park is an investment in both physical and mental well-being, and a reflection of our commitment to accessible, inclusive recreation for everyone in Peterborough. Access to safe, welcoming recreation opportunities is essential for a healthy, thriving Peterborough, and this new park is a meaningful step in that direction,” said Councillors Alex Bierk and Lesley Parnell in a joint statement.  

“A park is more than just a green space, it’s the heart of a neighbourhood. This is a space where families will gather, children will play and neighbours will connect. This is a space where community can grow. This new park will benefit residents for years to come,” said Ashburnham Ward Councillors Gary Baldwin and Keith Riel. 

The City has also completed rejuvenation work at Dominion Park. Improvements to Dominion Park include upgraded safety surfacing, a shaded shelter, accessible seating, tree planting, a new walkway and a sensory play area.  

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Trent Valley Honda Hosting Customer Appreciation BBQ & Car Wash On 50th Anniversary to Support Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation This Saturday

To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Trent Valley Honda (TVH) is hosting a Customer Appreciation BBQ & Car Wash in support of Kawartha Haliburton Children's Foundation this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Honda.

The family-run business has been in Peterborough since 1975, located at 851 Highway 7 East.

“Our commitment to, training around and living our brand promise, has helped us foster a culture, where customers truly do come first, employees are proud and empowered to always do the right thing, and are motivated to go above and beyond for each other and for our customers,” said Monika Carmichael, Trent Valley Honda general manager. “The loyalty of our customers and our employees has been the key to sustainable growth and success.”

The free event features a charity raffle for two Gold tickets to the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy in Toronto on July 21, as well as ice cream, bouncy castles, face painting and a gift for every 2026 model test drive as part of the Test Drive Event this month.

The event typically raises $500 but TVH is aiming to double that this year according to Carmichael.

“We have often chosen causes that support and empower children that are less fortunate, including the YES Shelter, YWCA Women’s shelter, etc., she explained. “Kawartha Haliburton’s Children’s Aid acknowledged our ongoing community work and submitted a powerful proposal on why we should make them one of our causes.”

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Public Asked to Select Film For Canada Day Movie Night

The City of Peterborough asks the community to vote for a film for the free Canada Day Movie Night at Quaker Foods City Square.  

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The movie night will kick off the Canada Day festivities on June 30 at dusk (around 9 p.m.). The City is asking residents to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to settle in. Free popcorn is handed out before the show.  

The following are the film choices:

The Legend of Sarila

An animated adventure set in the Arctic, this film follows three Inuit teens on a quest to find the legendary land of Sarila to save their starving clan.
Featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer and Geneviève Bujold, it's Canada's first 3D animated feature film.

Kayak to Klemtu

A heartfelt drama about 14-year-old Ella, who embarks on a 500-kilometre kayak journey to her ancestral home in British Columbia to take a stand against a proposed pipeline project.
A heartfelt Canadian production rooted in environmental justice and Indigenous resilience.

Cheaper by the Dozen

A comedy about Tom and Kate Baker, who juggle their careers and raising 12 children. Though not a Canadian film, the director Shawn Levy was born in Canada and is a citizen of both Canada and the United States.

Fly Away Home

After losing her mother, a young girl helps orphaned geese learn to migrate south. Filmed partly in Ontario and starring Canadian actress Anna Paquin, this inspiring story is based on real events.

The poll is available online, with voting closing on Friday at 4 p.m. 

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